Sustainable Agriculture

Agriculture is the earliest and most honorable of arts.  - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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

Recent Senior Capstone Projects

Link to the Academic Catalog to review Degree Requirements