PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University, the first institution in the country to offer an academic major in organic agriculture and the first to offer an online certificate in organic ag, has now expanded its online course offerings in the organic agriculture certificate program.
Spring semester
Three new courses that lead to the Certificate in Organic Agriculture will be offered this spring semester.
Admission to the university is required to enroll in courses and to earn the certificate, and participants may apply as non-degree seeking students.
New courses
New courses being offered this spring include: Crop Science 360, World Agricultural Systems, which surveys contemporary and historical systems of food production as well as the agro-environmental characteristics of the world’s farming systems; Soils 441, Soil Fertility, which deals with the impact of nutrients on crop productivity and soil and water quality; and Ag and Food Systems 445, Field Analysis of Sustainable Food Systems, an experiential course in which students visit farms and food processing and marketing facilities in order to explore first hand the issues and relationships impacting sustainable food production.
Other courses in the program focus on topics ranging from economics to resolving environmental conflicts. The program also includes an ‘on the ground’ practicum or professional internship in organic agriculture.
More information
More information is available at the university’s Center for Distance and Professional Education Web site at www.online.wsu.edu or by calling 800-222-4978.
Deadline
The deadline to apply for admission to the university for spring semester is Dec. 19. The deadline to register for classes for spring semester is Jan. 9.
