Skip to main content
student looking at tomatoes

Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science

Welcome to the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science.

We are a multidisciplinary department with the size and breadth to address today’s complex scientific issues, while retaining the student-centered focus, an SDSU plant science hallmark. All of our programs feature a carefully designed balance of theoretical principles and hands-on experience to produce a well-rounded graduate who is prepared for the 21st century workplace. As a result, our graduates are in high demand and frequently have jobs before graduation.

We offer educational opportunities that span a range of careers in the plant sciences such as agronomy, crop production, entomology, genetics, genomics, horticulture, plant breeding, plant pathology, precision agriculture, pest management, soil science and weed science. We also offer graduate degrees in plant science and biological sciences.

If your interests are in the production of specialty crops, local food production or ornamentals, then SDSU is the place to be. Our Local Foods Education Center will provide you with hands-on experience in sustainable food production. The Local Foods Education Center is based on a foundation of student learning, ecosystem sustainability and consumer access to a safe and stable food supply.

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science is also proud of a strong tradition of research and Extension. Our research has led to increased agricultural productivity, a better understanding of plant diseases and new plant varieties. Our Extension activities have translated research advances into useful public knowledge. We continue to develop and disseminate knowledge on topics as varied as the impacts of tillage on soil carbon levels, the genomic basis of grape quality, to crop seeding rates for optimized yields.

Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Events

See All Our Events
Nov 15

AHPS Faculty Meeting

Nov 20

Gabrielle Thooft

Dec 6

AHPS Faculty Meeting

Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science News

See All Our News
The university’s newest endowment holders are, from left, Dan Hansen, J. Bruce Laughrey Endowed Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions; John Jaeger, Calvin and Mary Hayenga Endowed Department Head of Animal Science; Londa Nwadike, David A. Thompson Endowed Department Head of Dairy and Food Science; Cheryl Reese: Klingbeil Endowed Educator in Precision Agriculture; and Biying Yang, Nies Endowed Early Career Faculty Scholar.

South Dakota State honors newest endowment holders

South Dakota State University recently paid tribute to the university’s newest endowment holders. The third annual University Leadership Honors investiture ceremony — honoring six holders of endowed positions across three different colleges and SDSU Athletics — was held Sept. 19 in Founders Recital Hall in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.

Using big data to produce bigger return for growers, less environmental impact

Two South Dakota State University researchers are partnering with 20 eastern South Dakota farming operations and GEVO to pursue practices that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase farm profitability.

Subramanian interim dean of SDSU’s College of Natural Sciences

Sen Subramanian, associate dean for research in South Dakota State University's College of Natural Sciences, is serving as interim dean of the college.