Crops and Soils Collage

What is Crop and Soil Science?

The central focus of crop and soil science is the production of food, fiber, and energy, as well as understanding the critical and diverse role of soils in agricultural production and in sustaining our environment. Students choose one of three options for their academic track:

  • Crop Science: the emphasis is on plants and their use to produce safe and affordable food for human consumption, feed for animals, and fiber and energy for everyday needs.
  • Soil Science: explores the diverse role of soils and provides knowledge for making economically and environmentally sustainable soil use and management decisions.
  • Sustainable Agriculture: students learn about economically viable agricultural systems that promote land productivity, energy efficiency, environmental stewardship and rural community viability.

Why major in Crop and Soil Science?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth will be strong in the crops and soils field in the next decade. Students major in Crop and Soil Science for many reasons including one or more of the following:

  • They enjoy working with plants and soils in a predominately outdoor environment. 
  • They like applying science to practical problems.
  • They enjoy working with farmers, growers, and other professionals locally, nationally, and internationally.
  • They want to play an integral role in environmental decisions related to soil conservation, crop production, land use, water quality, or waste management.
  • They want to contribute to the needs of present and future generations by providing healthy food while maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment.
  • They desire to experience an enjoyable and satisfying quality of life that comes from understanding the growth of plants and being a part of the process that provides the most basic of human needs—food.
Hear from Tryston Beyrer, a Current Student...

Tryston BeyrerTryston Beyrer

I am Tryston Beyrer, a Crop and Soil major with minors in Ag Business and Conservation. I grew up on a small dairy farm in Colfax, WI where I acquired my passion for agriculture. I was involved in organizations such as 4-H and F.F.A. in high school, which set a great foundation for opportunities in college. 

UWRF is many students home away from home…a place where you can share your passion with others who have similar interests. Some CAFES students want to fulfill their life aspirations and climb the ladder to the top, while others want to acquire their degree and return to the home farm; either way, CAFES will prepare every student for whichever endeavor they pursue. Faculty members here are passionate about what they teach and go out of their way to ensure every student understands the material. Small class sizes allow for more interaction, too.

Getting involved in student organizations, judging teams, study abroad programs, internships, and research has helped me grow tremendously. I was fortunate to do four internships over the course of my college career, most recently interning in Forage Management for Croplan Genetics (a division of Land O' Lakes). These experiences have allowed me to develop into a confident and well-educated candidate for employers to hire upon graduation from UW-River Falls.  

As a new student, choosing a major can be difficult and overwhelming; my advice is this: You cannot beat going into an agricultural field of study. With the world population increasing and arable land decreasing, consider the fact that we will need to double food production in coming years to meet growing demand. It's an exciting time with many opportunities to do great things in the field.


University of Wisconsin-River Falls
410 S. 3rd Street, River Falls WI 54022 USA
Campus Information 715-425-3911