Bachelor of science in agricultural and food sciences, with a major in organic agriculture systems; master of science in agriculture
The program provides both the small business and technical skills needed to develop and manage a profitable, environmentally sound and community-based small farm or agricultural business.
This program area focuses on the production of food, fiber, and other plant commodities through ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially conscience approaches. Students have the opportunity to focus their studies in the areas of agronomy, fruit and/or vegetable production.
This concentration prepares students to work in agro-ecology, agricultural land management and conservation, integrated pest management, and plant protection and production sciences.
The University of Maine offers academic, research, and extension programs in Sustainable Agriculture (SAG) in order to address the principles and practices of environmentally sound, profitable farming.
The core courses, all of which are team-taught, cover the following subjects: (1) Agro-ecosystems Analysis (2)Integrated Crop and Livestock Production Systems (3) Ecologically Based Pest Management Strategies (4)Organizational Strategies for Diversified Farming Systems (5) Society and Technology in Sustainable Food Systems.
The undergraduate Agroecology and Environmental Quality specialization was established in 1993. This curriculum is designed for students interested in sustaining agrarian and surrounding ecosystems through more efficient management of land, biota, and water.
Undergraduates majoring in Environmental Studies can pursue the Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture area of emphasis. The PhD program offered by UCSC’s Environmental Studies Department includes a focus on agroecology and sustainable agriculture.
The concentration in Permaculture is an emphasis available to students in the Agricultural Studies major. Permaculture is a design approach for agro-ecosystems with a focus on long-term sustainability.