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Senior Applied Research
 Project—SARP
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Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture strives to build a food and fiber production system that is economically viable, while protecting or enhancing environmental quality and the quality of life for consumers and farmers. Farmers and other agricultural professionals work to develop innovative farming techniques and vibrant local economies and markets, while protecting natural resources such as soil and water quality and wildlife habitat.
Our Sustainable Agriculture program parallels the College’s mission by combining academic study, experiential challenges, and work. The College Farm, consisting of solar-powered barns, pasturelands, gardens, fruit trees, greenhouses, and a diversity of livestock, is a living lab for the exploration of sustainable agricultural systems. Working alongside faculty, students become involved in the farm through a college-wide Work Program, structured skill-building activities, and careful academic inquiry into farming systems.
Students study the principles of science and economics that underlie agricultural systems and learn a variety of agricultural techniques and practices applicable to the small, diversified farm and homestead. Further classes provide additional technical knowledge, explore and assess a range of agricultural models from biodynamic to corporate farms, and examine the human relationship to nature and agro-ecosystems.
Real-life applications through internships, farm projects, Sterling’s Sustainable Agriculture Semester, and the culminating Senior Applied Research Project prepare students for continuing study or agricultural careers such as research and outreach to farmers through government agencies or nonprofit organizations, public education, or actual farming. Recent graduates currently work at Farm and Wilderness Camp in Vermont, Austin Community Gardens in Texas, Revision House Urban Farm in Massachusetts, and the Peace Corps in Tanzania.
Recent Internship Sites
The Farm School—Massachusetts
Holcomb Farm CSA—Connecticut
Andy’s Organic Farm—Hawaii
Sunbow Farm—Oregon
Butterworks Farm—Vermont
Duffy Garden—Belize
Senior Applied Research Projects
A Community Garden Project for Re-Vision House: Home for Homeless Young Mothers in Massachusetts
Development of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operation in Vermont
Optimal Nutrition for a Sheep Dairy in Vermont
Degree Requirements
| Humanities |
Credits |
| HM445: Senior Applied Research Project Presentation* |
3.0 |
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| Natural Sciences |
Credits |
| NS200: Watershed Ecosystem Analysis |
3.0 |
| NS206: Human Nutrition |
3.0 |
NS245: Soil Science and Lab
|
1.0 |
| NS315: Animal Science |
3.0 |
| NS346: Plant Science and Lab |
4.0 |
| NS435: Global Agriculture |
3.0 |
| NS3xx or SS3xx: Quantitative or Qualitative Research Methods** |
1.0 |
| NS439 or SS439 Senior Applied Research Project I* |
3.0 |
| NS440 or SS440: Senior Applied Research Project II** |
9.0 |
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|
| Social Sciences |
Credits |
| SS140: Exploring Alternative Agriculture |
2.0 |
| SS212: Whole Farm Planning |
2.0 |
| |
|
| The following are strongly recommended. |
Credit |
| Either: SS210: Economics & the Environment |
3.0 |
| Or: SS317: Small Business Management |
3.0 |
| NS320: Statistics |
3.0 |
| SS408: Advanced Geographic Information Systems |
3.0 |
| |
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| At least one course in Policy. |
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| SS202: Environmental Policy & Law |
3.0 |
| SS337: US Agricultural Policy |
3.0 |
| SS310: Land Use History and Planning |
3.0 |
| |
|
| At least one course in Applied Science. |
|
| AS105: Woodlot Practices |
1.5 |
| AS110: Agricultural Techniques I |
1.5 |
| AS111: Agricultural Techniques II |
1.5 |
| AS120: Forestry Techniques |
1.5 |
| AS165: Foundations in Work Horse Management |
2.0 |
| AS170: Draft Horse Driving Principles |
2.0 |
| AS171: Work Horse Application |
2.0 |
| AS361: Livestock or Garden Project |
1.0 |
Sustainable Agriculture students also are required to spend at least 10 weeks working on a farm that
employs sustainable practices. This requirement may be fulfilled through the internship experience,
Sterling College Summer Farm Session, or other farm work. If students do not participate in the Summer
Farm Session, they are required to demonstrate knowledge of Organic Vegetable Production and Grazing
Systems Management through a portfolio of responses to prescribed queries.
Faculty recommend students choose related electives in the humanities and social sciences—courses that will prepare students to use integrative approaches in their Senior Applied Research Projects.
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