DelVal has focused on sustainability for over a century. Founder Joseph Krauskopf lectured and published on conservation decades before the world understood its urgency. Now, caring for the planet is a rising global priority, and DelVal draws on that legacy to give you an in-depth, hands-on education focused on stewardship, profitability and quality of life.
The sustainable agriculture systems degree is an integrated program that includes the plant, animal, social and agribusiness components of a sustainable agriculture system. You will emerge from this program a trained steward of the land who can feed and clothe the world while caring for our planet’s fragile resources.
Sustainable agriculture is fresh innovation for an old way of life. It is a production system built on three principles:
- Long-term profitability
- Good stewardship of environmental resources
- High quality of life for the farmer and community
You’ll experience true hands-on learning on the University’s more than 1,000 acres of land and multiple facilities:
- The Roth Center for Sustainable Agriculture has been specifically dedicated as the living laboratory of the sustainable agriculture systems program. It provides space for your lab projects, class demonstrations, and faculty research.
- More than 12,000 feet of modern greenhouse space and high tunnels.
- A 60-acre arboretum on main campus with landscape plantings, specimens and gardens.
You also have the opportunity to gain practical experience in this diverse atmosphere through school-year and summer employment.
See how Dr. Fiola gets her hands dirty with our students to teach them all things soils.
I accepted a position at the National Association for State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) as a policy intern. I’m excited to be in a field where I can help have a positive effect on the people who serve our food system.”
This comprehensive program includes diverse coursework for a complete understanding of sustainable agriculture systems.
Core Sustainable Agriculture Systems Courses:
- Sustainability
- Soils
- Principles of Ecology
- Botany of Vascular Plants
- Principles of Sustainable Agriculture
- Organic Food and Fiber
- Integrated Pest Management
- Agricultural Economics
- Introduction to Animal Science
- Animal Welfare
- Food Sovereignty and Security
Recommended Minors
- Agribusiness
- Animal Science
- Business Administration
- Communication
- Food Systems
- One Health Communication
- Policy Studies
- Writing
The Experience360 Program gives you the opportunity to apply classroom lessons to real-world activities like internships, career exploration experiences, student research, study abroad, leadership development and more.
Career Paths
With 100 percent of our students having real-world, hands-on experience, graduates with a degree in sustainable agriculture systems are able to work in:
- Food production and marketing
- Food systems education and training
- State and federal agencies
- Agricultural research
- Non-profit agricultural organizations
- Collegiate Farm Bureau - Dive into the issues that are most important to you in agriculture while learning from industry professionals!
- Future Farmers of America (FFA) - Explore the wide variety of career options within agriculture in this student organization!
- Sigma Alpha - Connect with new friends who are interested in agriculture through Greek life!
- Alpha Gamma Rho - Connect with new friends who are interested in agriculture through Greek life!
- A-Day - Work with other students to host our annual fair on campus!
Office: Feldman 115
