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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

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Dec 9

AHPS Crop Production Interviews

Dec 10

AHPS Crop Production Interviews

Dec 12

AHPS Crop Production Interviews

Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science News

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Precision Connect ’23 attracted a large crowd to the Raven Precision Agriculture Center.

Precision Connect ’24 to showcase SDSU students’ ag internships

Nearly 100 South Dakota State University undergraduate students will showcase their ag industry internship experiences at Precision Connect ’24, Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Raven Precision Agriculture Center. This is the fourth annual Precision Connect event, started in conjunction with the 2021 opening of the center.

SDSU hosts taping of ‘AgDay College Roadshow’

With loud enthusiasm often reserved for athletic events, students, faculty and staff from South Dakota State University’s agricultural programs showed up in full force to welcome a live television taping of “AgDay College Roadshow” Oct. 30 on the SDSU campus.

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.