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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.

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Exterior of Berg Agricultural Hall on the South Dakota State University campus.

Open house to showcase remodeled Berg Agricultural Hall

The South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences will host an open house celebrating the newly remodeled Berg Agricultural Hall from 2:30-4:45 p.m. Friday, April 5.
School of Performing Arts faculty members Immanuel Abraham, Xuan Kuang and David Reynolds perform at the 2024 Celebration of Faculty Excellence in Volstorff Ballroom at South Dakota State University.

SDSU faculty recognized for excellence

The annual South Dakota State University Celebration of Faculty Excellence recognized 30 faculty members, researchers and scientists Tuesday. The event honors faculty members in the university's colleges for outstanding research, teaching and service.

Save the peels: How bananas can be used to fight the plastic waste crisis

Srinivas Janaswamy, associate professor of food chemistry, has demonstrated how banana peels can be utilized to create biodegradable films — plastic-like material that will decompose in the environment and may one day replace petroleum-based plastic as the dominant food packaging material.