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Agronomists use science and natural resources like soil, water, and plants to
sustain the world's food supply and a quality environment. Their challenge is to
understand, manage, and protect earth's vital resources while addressing
humanity's basic concerns about quality of life. Agronomy is basic to food
production and offers an exciting career to those interested in food, feed, and
fiber production.
Agronomy is a broad discipline that encompasses soil, water, environmental,
crop, range, and weed sciences; plant breeding and genetics; and soil and water
conservation.
Career Opportunities
Agronomists find a variety of positions available in management, consulting,
sales, governmental agencies, farming and ranching, and research and
development.
Examples of job opportunities include the seed industry, agricultural
chemicals industry, fertilizer industry, consulting and advising services, grain
trade, governmental agencies (Extension Service, Soil Conservation Service,
Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, regulatory agencies), farm and
ranch management, college and university teaching, and international services.
Some students prepare for graduate study leading to careers that require the
M.S. or Ph.D. degree.
Placement opportunities are excellent for graduates in agronomy.
Crop Science
Crop science relates primarily to the genetics, breeding, physiology, and
management of field crops. Crop science also deals with the production of
quality seed and the nutritional value of crops.
Environmental Science
Environmental science focuses on understanding natural cycles and processes
involving soil, plants, water, and air resources. This knowledge is applied
towards sustaining a quality environment in the face of ever increasing demands
our society places on these resources.
Soil Science
Soil science focuses on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of
soils, their many varied uses, their fertility and moisture, and managing them
to ensure optimum crop growth. Soil science also includes many other aspects of
soil uses, such as for road and airport construction, waterways, building sites,
and waste disposal.
Weed Science
Weed science is the study of weeds and their relationship to people and the
environment. Weed scientists provide basic input for management systems in food
production, human health, recreation and scenic beauty, and development and
maintenance of water resources.
Range Management
Range management is the application of ecological principles to grasslands.
Grasslands are managed for many uses, including grazing, watershed, recreation,
and wildlife.
Soil and Water Conservation
Soil and water conservation prepares you to solve various soil and water
problems such as air and water pollution, soil erosion, and proper land use.
Facilities
The Department of Agronomy has excellent classroom and laboratory facilities in
Throckmorton Hall. Attached greenhouse facilities provide opportunities for
research and teaching. Microcomputer and mainframe computer facilities are used
extensively for research, teaching, and extension programs. More than 800 acres
of irrigated and dryland farmland are available near campus for research and
teaching, and the department also uses Range Research Units containing 2,436
acres of typical Flint Hills tallgrass prairie.
Financial Assistance
Many scholarships are available to students majoring in agronomy and several are
designated specifically for freshman and transfer students. Approximately 35
students receive scholarship awards totaling more than $28,000 each year.
Many student assistant positions are also available to undergraduates to work
for the various research projects in the agronomy department.
Information from: http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~agronomy/agronomy.html
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