Sustainable Agriculture

Program Statement

The Sustainable Agriculture program is designed to address the issues of a safe, reliable food supply and the environmental relationships of agriculture with resource use, energy consumption and climate change. The goal of this program is to provide the practical training and experience for sustainable farming and gardening and is directed towards new farmers, gardeners, landscapers, nursery producers, and farm managers. Graduates will be prepared to enter farming, gardening, community organizations, agricultural businesses, or to continue their education in sustainable food production and agricultural professions.

Program Information

• Graduates are prepared with the scientific basis and technical skills necessary to pursue a career as a sustainable agriculture professional.
• Hands-on experience in laboratories and field experiences allows students to put into practice knowledge gained in the classroom.
• Graduates of this program are not only prepared to work as sustainable agricultural professionals, advisors, and managers; they also are prepared with the fundamentals for pursuing further study in the field of agriculture and related natural sciences.

Recommended Electives

Students should choose from AGR, BIO, SCI, SOC, SUS to complete at least 61 credits.

After Bristol

• Continue education at a 4-year program such as University of Massachusetts/Amherst Sustainable Food and Farming Program or University of Rhode Island (URI) Sustainable Agriculture Program.
• Pursue a career as a professional organic landscape or garden consultant.
• Pursue a career as an organic producer.
• Employment on one of over 170 S.E. Massachusetts or Rhode Island organic farms.
• Employment at a nursery, landscaper, or garden center business.
• Employment with a community development organization or school gardens program.
• Students with a 2-year Associate Degree are eligible to serve as an agricultural volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps.
• Bristol participates in the statewide MassTransfer program and has developed many program-to-program transfer articulation agreements which guarantee admission and credit transfer. For a complete listing of eligible MassTransfer programs, current Bristol articulation agreements, and to complete an A2B Program Search, visit the Transfer Services website to review which credits will be transferred and applied to your degree. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to: 

1. Analyze the current social, economic, and technical challenges and opportunities in sustainable food production by evaluating case studies and industry reports.
2. Evaluate the impacts of agriculture on natural resources, energy, the environment, and climate change, and propose solutions for mitigating these impacts.
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply the scientific method and laboratory practices by conducting experiments and reporting findings according to standard scientific procedures.
4. Identify and operate diverse field, nursery, and processing equipment, and apply sampling techniques to collect data for analysis and decision-making.
5. Explain the scientific principles of soil physics, chemistry, and biology, and apply this knowledge to manage soil fertility, plant health, and food quality in a given agricultural context.
6. Apply fundamental plant science concepts, including taxonomy, physiology, and horticultural practices, to design and implement sustainable production systems, including use of native plants.
7. Implement crop protection strategies using cultural, biological, and organic practices to prevent and manage weeds, diseases, and pests, and assess their effectiveness.
8. Plan agricultural production and rotation systems, maintain accurate records, and create crop enterprise budgets to make informed decisions in agricultural production and marketing.