Agroecology is making agriculture and food systems more sustainable
Agroecology is the application of ecological principles to agricultural systems and studies how people, organisms, land, and the environment influence one another.
As an Agroecology major you will:
- Learn to support sustainable solutions to global challenges such as climate change, food security, and biodiversity
- Understand the role plants, animals, microbes, soils, and people play in agroecosystems and apply that knowledge to agricultural practices
- Consider agricultural systems as a whole to improve human health and well-being
Career Paths
Students in agroecology are prepared for careers in conservation and environmental organizations, the agricultural industry, state and federal agencies, consulting, land/farm management, or agricultural policy, research, and education.
Here are just a few examples of careers that agroecology students could pursue:
Your CALS Experience
Get involved. Find your people.
Explore some of the agroecology-related groups and student organizations at UW–Madison:
Customize your path
You’ll take core agroecology courses and then choose which focus area you’d like to specialize in:
- Organisms
- Land
- Ecosystems
- People
Study animals and plants, microscopic life, ecosystems, natural resources, agricultural practices, health and nutrition, and communities in core and elective courses.
Study abroad and gain a global perspective
Travel internationally and complement your coursework and research with a study abroad program. Learn about sustainable and local food systems in France, participate in field visits and classroom learning in Uganda, visit local farms and food processing facilities in Japan, and so much more.
You can also choose from one of UW–Madison’s many semester, summer, and short-term study abroad programs and map your study abroad experience as an agroecology major.
Learn through hands-on internships
Build on what you learn in class, gain real-world experience, and advance in your academic career with a semester or summer internship. Work at one of the campus green spaces, such as Allen Centennial Garden, D.C. Smith Greenhouse, the UW Student Organic Farm, and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, or work off-campus at an agricultural business, a farm, a non-governmental organization, or one of UW–Madison’s Agricultural Research Stations.
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Introductory agroecology course
2024
CALS introduces the agroecology major
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Thematic areas
Advisor & Contact Information
Advisors can answer your questions, help you create a degree plan that meets your personal and professional goals, and connect you to resources across the UW–Madison campus.
Incoming students should reach out to CALS Academic Affairs to direct your questions. Current UW–Madison students should schedule with their assigned advisor using Starfish.
CALS Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-3003
Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences
Moore Hall
1575 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
pas@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-1390
Want to learn more about agroecology?