Sustainable Agriculture
Do you want to make a difference in this world and be a part of one of the fastest growing fields and markets in food and agriculture? Increasingly, farmers are looking for creative ways to increase and diversify farm income, while consumers are seeking sustainably raised food produced close to home.
Sustainable agriculture meets the needs of both farmers and consumers by creating agricultural systems that produce food for a growing population in a way that protects the environment and supports healthy, dynamic communities.
Career opportunities
Whether your career interests lie on the production or consumer side or somewhere in between, a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture with an emphasis in Sustainable Agriculture will provide you with the skills and knowledge to incorporate economic viability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility in food and farming systems.
Your tailored degree program will prepare you for many career opportunities. Some careers you might consider include:
- Production: Operate your own farm and produce high-quality, sustainably raised agricultural products for local, national or international markets.
- Sales and Marketing: Work for food retailers, wholesalers, cooperatives, or direct-marketing initiatives that recognize the growing consumer demand for sustainably raised products. Potential employers include Whole Foods, supermarket chains, and producer cooperatives.
- Government: A variety of local, state and federal agencies provide opportunities in the areas of conservation, data and policy analysis, policy development, and rural and international development. Potential employers include State Cooperative Extension and agencies within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Non-Governmental Organizations: Be a part of an organization that works on agricultural or environmental issues, community and economic development, or the development of sustainable food systems. Potential employers include local, national and international non-profits, grassroots farmer and consumer organizations, and food security initiatives.
Research/Internship Opportunities
Students in this program are required to complete a three-credit-hour internship or international experience in sustainable agriculture. You'll find that many opportunities are available for internships and research that reflect the variety of innovative food and farming systems and your own interests.
You can gain hands-on experience working with the Community Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture program. This program offers opportunities to collaborate with Missouri's sustainable farmers and agricultural professionals. You'll also have the chance to educate producers, consumers, and communities about sustainable food and farming systems.
The program works in both rural and urban areas and is a national leader in Extension activities in sustainable agriculture. Other opportunities exist for on- and off-campus research and internships. Students can assist faculty with research in animal or plant sciences, rural sociology, agricultural economics, agroforestry and nutritional science.
The University has an entire agricultural research farm in Mt. Vernon, Mo., dedicated to innovative practices in sustainable agriculture. Students have pursued research and internships in projects ranging from pasture-based dairy systems to fruit and vegetable production.
For More Information About Sustainable Agriculture
- Food Circles Networking Project
- Missouri Alternatives Center
- Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Get Involved on Campus
An excellent way to develop your leadership skills and professional contacts is to join any number of MU or CAFNR student organizations. These groups will give you the opportunity to apply what you learn in the classroom, make lifelong friends, and make a difference in the community. A few organizations you may be interested in joining include:
CAFNR Student Council includes representatives from every student club, class and degree program in the College. It serves as a communications link between faculty and students. As a member, you will be part of a key group for advocating change and voicing student concerns. You'll also help promote agriculture-related professions and communicate the importance of agriculture to the consumer and the state.
Sustain Mizzou is a University-wide student organization that is committed to creating a sustainable way of life at MU through public education and local action. The group works on a number of creative projects, including Tiger Tailgate Recycling, which collects tons of recyclables at MU home football games, and a 'Local' Food Drive, which raises money to purchase fresh, locally grown food for the Central Missouri Food Bank.
Tigers for Community Agriculture. The mission of Tigers for Community Agriculture is to increase awareness and involvement of others in the community and students on campus about community agriculture and its benefits. The group is oriented to gaining as much production experience in sustainable agriculture as possible.
Learn More
| Learn More |
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Mary Hendrickson Extension Associate Professor hendricksonm@missouri.edu 200B Gentry Hall Phone: 573-882-7463 FAX: 573-882-5127 |
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Related Information |
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| Printable Brochure (PDF) | |
| Major Curriculum* |
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| Sustainable Agriculture Emphasis (PDF) | |
| Course | Credit |
| First Semester | |
| Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| College Algebra | 3 |
| Rural Sociology | 3 |
| History | 3 |
| Animal Science Lab Practicum | 3 |
| Second Semester | |
| Applied Macroeconomics | 3 |
| English Composition | 3 |
| Biology | 3 |
| Biology Laboratory | 2 |
| Monogastric Production | 3 |
| Third Semester | |
| Chemistry | 3 |
| Sustainable Agriculture | 3 |
| Environmental Economics | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Ruminant Production | 3 |
| Fourth Semester | |
| Biochemistry | 3 |
| Speech Communication | 3 |
| Plant and Animal Systems in Sustainable Agriculture | 3 |
| Ethics in Agriculture | 3 |
| Plant Growth and Culture | 3 |
| Summer | |
| International Studies Recommended | 6 |
| Fifth Semester | |
| Verbal Communication in Agriculture | 3 |
| Soil Science | 3 |
| Environmental Studies | 3 |
| Animal Nutrition | 5 |
| Sixth Semester | |
| Community Food Systems | 3 |
| Communicating on the Web | 3 |
| Greenhouse Management | 3 |
| Agricultural Marketing | 3 |
| Population and Ecology | 3 |
| Summer | |
| Internship Recommended | 6 |
| Seventh Semester | |
| New Products Marketing | 3 |
| General Farm Management | 3 |
| Forage Crops | 3 |
| Grain Crops | 3 |
| Other Elective | 3 |
| Eighth Semester | |
| Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Science, Technology, and Society | 3 |
| The Amish Community | 3 |
| Soils and the Environment | 3 |
| Other Elective | 3 |
| *Individual degree program may vary. | |
| Minor Curriculum |
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The minor in sustainable agriculture is for students interested in exploring agriculture and food systems that promote profitability, steward our natural resources, and provide enhanced quality of life for farmers, citizens and communities. This minor will prepare students to face one of the critical challenges of the 21st Century -- producing enough food to meet world demand while conserving natural resources and enhancing sustainable livelihoods. A student must complete 15 hours of coursework that introduces concepts of sustainable agriculture, provides practical information on natural resources and food production, and investigates the impact of different philosophical and scientific frameworks on food and agriculture. Required coursework includes:
Additional Required Courses
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