Studies & Degrees in Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture Study Programs
Sustainable agriculture is farming that produces food and fibre while protecting the natural resources it depends on and keeping farms economically viable. The National Agricultural Library of the US Department of Agriculture describes it as farming in such a way as to protect the environment, aid and expand natural resources and make the best use of nonrenewable resources. The legal definition in the United States (U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103) speaks of an integrated system of plant and animal production practices that, over the long term, satisfies human food and fibre needs, enhances environmental quality, makes efficient use of resources, sustains the economic viability of farm operations and enhances the quality of life of farmers and society.
The US programme Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) reduces this to three goals: profit over the long term, stewardship of land, air and water, and quality of life for farmers, farm workers and communities. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works with five principles, among them protecting and enhancing natural resources and improving livelihoods.
What students learn
Programmes combine crop and soil science with ecology, economics and farm management. The B.S. in Sustainable Agriculture of the University of Maine lists its themes: building healthy soil through crop rotations, organic soil amendments and erosion management; protecting water quality by reducing the use of synthetic chemicals; managing pests and weeds with integrated, ecologically sound approaches; and increasing farm profits and income stability through diverse, community-based enterprises. Students there carry out a field experiment and work with community partners. At Purdue University, students of Sustainable Food and Farming Systems learn to design and manage a small farm enterprise, study non-chemical pest and soil management, and look at organic, local and urban agriculture; the Purdue student farm provides hands-on experience.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degree. In the United States the subject is offered as a Bachelor of Science major, usually within a school of agriculture. The University of Maine states that it was the first university in the country to offer a bachelor's degree in sustainable agriculture, with a programme started in 1988.
- Master's degree and doctorate. Graduates can continue in agronomy, soil science, agroecology or food systems. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, agricultural and food scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and employers may prefer or require a master's or doctoral degree.
- Vocational training. In Spain the closest official qualification is the Técnico en Producción Agroecológica, an intermediate vocational training (FP de grado medio) programme of 2,000 hours in the Agraria professional family. It covers organic crop and livestock production, soil fertility, plant health and the marketing of organic products, and requires the compulsory secondary education certificate or an equivalent for entry.
- Short and study abroad programmes. Some organisations teach sustainability outside a degree. The Center for Ecological Living and Learning (CELL), a nonprofit educational organisation, runs study abroad programmes in Iceland and Scotland on the theme of sustainability through community.
Where to study
SpainExchange lists 8 active schools for sustainable agriculture: five in the United States and one each in Australia, China and Ireland. The American entries are Purdue University in West Lafayette, the University of Maine in Orono, the University of California, Davis, Unity Environmental University and CELL, both in Maine. The others are Charles Sturt University in Australia, The Center for Sustainability Shanghai and StudyKerry Ireland Ltd. Not all of them award degrees in the subject, so check each profile for the type of programme. The universities in the United States and Australia teach in English. There is currently no school in Spain in this list; students who want to train in Spain can look at the vocational programme mentioned above and at agricultural engineering degrees.
Careers
The University of Maine names typical jobs for its graduates: manager of an organic or sustainable farm, self-employed market or dairy farmer, research technician, employee of a community food-based nonprofit organisation, and sales and marketing professional for a food retailer, wholesaler or cooperative. Purdue adds employers such as seed companies, vegetable growers, vineyards, government agencies and the university extension service.
For those who go into research and advisory work, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of agricultural and food scientists to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 2,700 openings a year. They work in laboratories, in offices and in the field.
Frequently asked questions
Is sustainable agriculture the same as organic farming?
Not exactly. Organic production follows a specific regulation and certification, while sustainable agriculture is a wider aim that also includes the economic viability of the farm and the quality of life of farmers. Degree programmes cover organic methods as one of several approaches.
What degree do I need to work in sustainable agriculture?
For scientific and advisory jobs, at least a bachelor's degree in an agricultural or plant science field is the usual requirement, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Farm work and farm management are also open to holders of vocational qualifications such as the Spanish Técnico en Producción Agroecológica.
Is there practical work in these programmes?
Yes. Purdue uses its student farm for hands-on experience, and students at the University of Maine complete a field experiment.
Can I study sustainable agriculture in Spain?
Official vocational training exists: the Técnico en Producción Agroecológica lasts 2,000 hours. SpainExchange does not currently list a Spanish school under this subject.