BS or BA MAJOR

What You’ll Study

Our Sustainable Agriculture and Food Studies program is in-depth and interdisciplinary. You’ll study the ecology of agricultural systems, learn traditional farming practices, and gain a greater understanding of politics in food systems. Not only will it uniquely prepare you for a career in farm management, non-profit leadership, agricultural research, cooperative extension, veterinary medicine, and food justice advocacy, but it will also enable you to sow the seeds of a better world.

At WWC, you become part of the legacy of one of the nation’s oldest and highest-rated farming schools, in continuous operation and cultivation since 1894. Our campus becomes your laboratory as you become familiar with the College’s food system and working landscape, including the college Farm, composting facility, agroforestry system, ecological landscaping, and cafeteria. You’ll complete a capstone project involving original research with faculty guidance on a topic of your choosing, from soil carbon dynamics, food security, or animal health. Our entire campus becomes your laboratory.

The level of complexity of our farming operations is well beyond that of a typical college farm, and the commitment our students show to mastering these complex tasks is inspiring. Spanning 365 days each year – in all weather and all times of day and night – Warren Wilson students are doing the things that make our farm a leader in higher education.

Chase Hubbard '95, former Farm Manager

Get Your Hands Dirty

Your major will involve hands-on learning on our Working Lands. During your time at WWC, you may manage a farm business, run a compost facility, build fence lines, birth a calf, manage an apiary, and engage across a spectrum of activities in a working landscape. You even have the opportunity to apply your knowledge during study-abroad courses in Cuba and Malta.

Change the World Through Service

Learning sustainable agriculture at Warren Wilson will broaden your horizons to the many social and ethical impacts that food production can have. As part of our Community Engagement Commitment, you can collaborate with local and regional organizations committed to the building of a sustainable and resilient food system. Here are a few of our community partners:

  • Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
  • Organic Growers School
  • Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
  • Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service
  • Buncombe County Soil and Water
  • NC State’s Amazing Grazing program
  • King’s Agriseeds
  • Hickory Nut Gap Farm
  • A Growing Culture

Work Crews

You’ll have the opportunity to gain even more hands-on experience on these crews:
Farm
Garden
Local Foods
Campus Conservation Corps
CORE

Farm Crew group shot

Beef from the College Farm

Explore Classes in This Program

ENS 2490

Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture

Explore the sustainability of contemporary farming systems through study of the history of food production in the United States and the development of ecological agriculture. You’ll learn about the rise of industrial and ecological forms of U.S. agriculture in the 20th century and consider the ethical, economic, ecological, and social dimensions of agricultural sustainability. The principles and practices of four distinctive methods of ecological agriculture – certified organic, biodynamic, biointensive, and permaculture – are investigated as examples of systems of food production that may be sustainable.

ENS 3410

Agroecology

Get introduced to the science of agroecology with a focus on the principles and practices of ecological crop and livestock production. You’ll apply basic ecological concepts to assess the structure and function of soil, plant, animal, and pest processes in agricultural systems and practice the use of adaptive management strategies and sustainable decision-making to enhance agroecosystem resilience.

ENS 2160

Introduction to Animal Science

In this course you will focus on the biology, husbandry, and human uses of domestic animals. You’ll explore topics such as domestication, reproduction, basic genetics, artificial selection and breeding, animal health and disease, husbandry (management) of major domesticated animal species, and animal welfare. You will also have the opportunity to complete laboratory exercises and go on field trips.

Still curious? See the Curriculum
Meet Our Faculty

I believe my responsibility is not only as an instructor but as a mentor and a resource for the future. My classes are not just an experience with a grade; they are an opportunity to build social capital.

Joshua Earl Arnold, Ph.D.
Meet Joshua Earl Arnold See all Natural Sciences Faculty
Joshua Earl Arnold, Ph.D.
Faculty Member Liz Benavides stands smiling outside of Orr Cottage.

At Warren Wilson, I have most enjoyed learning from my students as much as I am teaching them. Their wealth of experiences has not only been valuable in my lessons, but I have learned so much from them as well!

Liz Benavides, Ph.D.
Meet Liz Benavides See all Natural Sciences Faculty
Faculty Member Liz Benavides stands smiling outside of Orr Cottage.
Liz Benavides, Ph.D.

Hands-on, All-in

Warren Wilson integrates your academics with work and community engagement. Engaging all your passions and interests results in an education with meaning and real professional experience.
student driving a tractor
The Farm Crew 
Sustainable ag at work
Donna Kilpatrick
Heifer International 
Donna Kilpatrick '88 leads Heifer Ranch and is an Accredited Professional with the Savory Institute
Man in Overalls
The Man in Overalls 
Alumni Nathan Ballentine '08 owns and operates Overalls, a business working to make growing your own food more accessible.
Exchange Semester 
Study agriculture at the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, Greece
Garden Cabin
Garden Crew 
Learn hands-on
Aerial Landscape - Jones Mountain, Farm, and Garden
Fieldwork Profile

Nationally Recognized College Farm

Our college farm is recognized regionally and nationally as an outdoor classroom that delivers real-world experience in sustainable farming practices.

  • Best College Reviews rated us at the top of their list of 20 college farms.
  • The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources named us Conservation Farm Family of the Year in the Mountain Region.
  • We’ve been recognized as a “River Friendly Farmer” by Buncombe County’s Soil and Water board.
  • We received the national Campus Sustainability Achievement Award from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
  • Selected by the organization Sustainable North Carolina as recipient of the N.C. Sustainability Award, in the Environmental Stewardship category.

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