Introduction
Providing students with a strong foundation in sustainable agriculture is a key mission of the CSANR. When students graduate from WSU and seek their place in the work force, we would like to ensure that they are well versed on the importance of sustaining our environment, natural resources and the communities who live on the land. Likewise, providing our faculty and staff with opportunities for professional development is important to the well-being of the individual faculty and staff members. It is also important to the well-being of the research and education programs that are the basis for training students and the outreach programs for citizens of our state and beyond.
WSU offers a wide array of courses in organic and sustainable agriculture for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as a major in Organic Agriculture Systems for undergraduate students. Certificates are also available in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture, and Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching for both types of students.
Undergraduate Programs and Courses
Graduate Programs and Courses
Summer Opportunities
Field Course Offering
Practicum in Organic Agriculture, a new 12-week field course offers a maximum of ten students experience in practical organic agriculture and horticultural skills and concepts. Although the majority of the course will focus on hands-on training, the lectures and instructional materials will cover market development and the science behind the practices, and provide an introduction to social and environmental issues in agriculture. Continuing Education Units are available.
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, May 9 through July 29.
Location: WSU Organic Farm at the Tukey Horticultural Orchard, Pullman, WA
Contact: Brad Jaeckel, jaeckel@wsu.edu
More information is available on the WSU Organic Farm Webiste.
Internship Opportunities
Hands-on work experience is an important part of overall education and learning and internships are either required or highly recommended for students involved in sustainable and organic agriculture programs. Practical work experience is a necessary part of the learning process and a good program will expose you to the practical side of your career of interest. The important element of an internship is the intentional “learning agenda” developed by the student, advisor and host. Some programs have developed materials to help ensure this. If not already available for your internship of interest please visit the AFS website as materials have been developed to meet a broad range of internship directions within this program.
Available Internships can be found at:
- Agriculture and Food Systems
- Cultivating SuccessTM
- Washington State Tilth Producers
- Summer Internship and Apprenticeship Program In Ecological Farming and Sustainable Living
Interns have the opportunity to earn academic credit through WSU academic departments (specific course credits) and WSU Small Farm program (continuing education credits). The internship is located at S&S Homestead Farm, Lopez Island, Washington. This is a small-scale family owned farm, where students will experience hands-on farm work, studying prescribed reading curriculum, writing journals, and participating in weekly farm seminars. Interns may also collaborate with WSU Research and extension faculty, and will write one major report on a topic of choice. - Extension Internships
Extension internships are organized through the Center for Civic Engagement The website is based on Extension faculty sending ideas to CCE about projects that students might do, and then individual students or classes respond to that need. The service work is paired with learning objectives to fulfill an internship course for credit.
Professional Development Opportunities
CSANR Professional Development Mini-Grant Program
Extension faculty and staff may enhance their skills by attending sustainable agriculture events. CSANR provides mini-grants for professional development in sustainable agriculture.
Classes
Several courses allow for professional development with CEU credits including: Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching, Agricultural Entrepreneurship, Field Analysis of Sustainable Food Systems, and Practicum in Organic Agriculture.