Sustainable Agriculture
The Sustainable Agriculture curriculum focuses on agricultural principles and practices, which, over the long term, enhance environmental quality, make efficient use of nonrenewable resources, integrate natural biological cycles and controls, and are economically viable and socially responsible; and that may prepare individuals to apply this knowledge to the solution of agricultural and environmental problems. Course work includes instruction in principles of agroecology, crop and soil sciences, entomology, horticulture, animal science, weed science and management, soil fertility and nutrient cycling, applied ecology, agricultural economics, and rangeland ecology and watershed management.
Degree Offered
Associate in Applied Science – see full course plan below or download as PDF.
Career Options
Graduates of the Sustainable Agriculture program may seek employment as Extension Agents, Crop Service Representatives, and Farm Management Specialists.
Salary Information:
- Entry level: $16/hour (A.A.S. degree);
- Median range: $19-$36/hour;
- Median yearly salary $68,090. (Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Salary is contingent on economy and geographic location.
Please use the Occupational Outlook Handbook to research employment and career data by field of degree.
Information about the Occupational Outlook Handbook can be found here.
Contact Information
Dr. Elizabeth Riley
336-506-4192
elizabeth.riley@alamancecc.edu
Course Plan
| FIRST FALL SEMESTER | ||||
| Course Prefix
& Number |
Course Title | Semester
& Year |
Grade | Credit
Hours |
| ACA 111 | College Student Success | 1 | ||
| AGR 139 | Intro to Sustainable Agriculture | 3 | ||
| AGR 170 | Soil Science | 3 | ||
| AGR 160 | Plant Science | 3 | ||
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 13 | |||
| FIRST SPRING SEMESTER | ||||
| Course Prefix
& Number |
Course Title | Semester
& Year |
Grade | Credit
Hours |
| HOR 134 | Greenhouse Operations | 3 | ||
| AGR 212 | Farm Business Management | 3 | ||
| AGR 265 | Organic Crop Production: Spring | 3 | ||
| AGR 111 | Basic Farm Maintenance | 2 | ||
| MAT ELECTIVE | Math Elective | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 14 | |||
| SUMMER – 3rd Semester | ||||
| AGR 268 | Adv Organic Crop Prod | 4 | ||
| ANS 111 | Sustainable Livestock Mgt | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 7 | |||
| SECOND FALL SEMESTER | ||||
| Course Prefix
& Number |
Course Title | Semester
& Year |
Grade | Credit
Hours |
| AGR 140 or AGR 121 | Agriculture Chemicals or Biological Pest Management | 3 | ||
| AGR 110 | Agricultural Economics | 3 | ||
| COM 231 | Public Speaking | 3 | ||
| ANS 115 | Animal Feeds & Nutrition | 3 | ||
| SOC/BS | Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 15 | |||
| SECOND SPRING SEMESTER | ||||
| Course Prefix
& Number |
Course Title | Semester
& Year |
Grade | Credit
Hours |
| AGR 214 | Agricultural Marketing | 3 | ||
| ANS 110 | Animal Science | 3 | ||
| HUM/FA | Humanities | 3 | ||
| WBL 110 | World of Work | 1 | ||
| HOR 168 | Plant Propagation | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 13 | |||
| SECOND SUMMER SEMESTER | ||||
| Course Prefix
& Number |
Course Title | Semester
& Year |
Grade | Credit
Hours |
| WBL XXX | Work Based Learning | 2 | ||
| TOTAL | 2 | |||
| GRAND TOTAL | 64 | |||