Agroecology — Sustainable Agriculture at Penn State
Sustaining food production, biodiversity, farms, and your future
Penn State’s Agroecology major is designed to provide you with the breadth of experience and training you need to become a leader in the agricultural sciences. Along with a solid conceptual framework in ecology and agriculture, the Agroecology major provides opportunities to acquire skills in managing and communicating information, solving problems, and working as part of a team. Agricultural professionals know that an integrated approach — one that combines plant science, soil science, pest management, and other knowledge — leads to a better understanding of how complex ecosystems work. And that leads to better descisions about managing these systems.
Multidisciplinary Training
with faculty from crop and soil sciences, entomology, horticulture, and plant pathology.
Food Production:
- Roots, shoots, and fruits
- Healthy food for a healthy future
Pest Management:
- Insects, diseases, and weeds
- The good, the bad, and the bugly
Soil Science:
- Learn about life in the soil
- Keeping our water clean
- Get the dirt on soil organisms
Real-world Experience:
- Business and ethics
- Internships in the field, the laboratory, and agribusiness
Your Future
A degree in Agroecology can prepare you for careers in:
- Crop management
- Agricultural research
- Agribusiness
- Environmental protection
- Homeland Security port and border inspection
- Cooperative extension
- Farm management
- USDA plant protection & quarantine