Agroecology works to make agriculture and food systems more sustainable. Agroecologists consider agricultural and food systems as a whole to improve human health and well-being. Agroecologists study plants, animals, microbes, soils, water, air, and people. They examine the role of ecology, sociology, economics, and politics in agriculture, and work to support solutions to global challenges like climate change, food insecurity, biodiversity decline, and social inequality.
What will I study in agroecology?
- First-Year Seminar: Make a strong start through a CALS First-Year seminar. These seminars allow students to explore different areas of study, learn how to access campus resources, and make friends and connections.
- Foundation Courses: Build a strong, basic understanding of the biological and social sciences.
- Core Courses: AGROECOL/AGRONOMY/C&E SOC/ENTOM/ENVIR ST 103, the introductory core course in agroecology, introduces all students to the field and provides the opportunity to establish academic and social networks. Students continue to learn agroecological theory and apply it to the improvement of agricultural systems in AGROECOL 303. The capstone course, AGROECOL 503, provides a connection between the classroom and real-world issues.
- Major Depth and Breadth Electives: Pursue personal and career interests in the field of agroecology through flexible course options. Study animals and plants, microscopic life, ecosystems, natural resources, agricultural practices, health and nutrition, and communities.
- Hands-On-Learning: Get involved in greenhouses, fieldwork, or research in labs with faculty and staff in CALS.
The knowledge and skills developed through the agroecology major prepare students for a wide variety of careers. Some of the areas students may work in include conservation and environmental organizations; the agricultural industry; local, state, and federal agencies; consulting; watershed and farm management; and agricultural policy, research, and education. Many students continue their education in graduate programs.
Some specialize in plant science, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, or sociology, while others continue in cross-disciplinary programs such as agroecology, public policy, and environmental science.
The agroecology major is housed in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, but faculty and staff from many CALS departments come together to support the program.
How to Get in
Current UW-Madison Students
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are able to declare. For information on how to declare, see Advising Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | Must have fewer than 86 credits. |
| Other | Students who do not meet the requirements above or are not in good academic standing should schedule a meeting with CALS Dean on Call (https://cals.wisc.edu/academics/undergraduate/current-students/academic-policies/) to discuss exceptions. |
Prospective UW-Madison Students
All prospective UW–Madison students must apply through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Students interested in this major should select it as the first choice major on their UW–Madison application. Admitted students who enroll at UW-Madison and attend Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences have the option to declare this major at SOAR. More information is available here.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements
In addition to the University General Education Requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements. Courses may not double count within university requirements (General Education and Breadth) or within college requirements (First-Year Seminar, International Studies, Science, and Capstone), but courses counted toward university requirements may also be used to satisfy a college and/or a major requirement; similarly, courses counted toward college requirements may also be used to satisfy a university and/or a major requirement.
College Requirements for all CALS BS Degree Programs
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Work: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 to remain in good standing and be eligible for graduation. | ||
| Residency: Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UW–Madison after earning 86 credits toward their undergraduate degree. | ||
| First year seminar | 1 | |
| International studies | 3 | |
| Physical science fundamentals | 4-5 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
or CHEM 108 | Chemistry in Our World | |
or CHEM 109 | Advanced General Chemistry | |
| Biological science | 5 | |
| Additional science (biological, physical, or natural) | 3 | |
| Science breadth (biological, physical, natural, or social) | 3 | |
| CALS Capstone Learning Experience: included in the requirements for each CALS major (see "major requirements") | ||
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 31-37 | |
| Major Core | 6 | |
| Major Breadth | 12 | |
| Major Depth | 12 | |
| Capstone | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 64-70 | |
Foundation
Mathematics
Complete one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 112 & MATH 113 | Algebra and Trigonometry | 6 |
| MATH 114 | Algebra and Trigonometry | 5 |
Statistics
Complete one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| STAT 301 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
| STAT 371 | Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 360 | Statistics for Sociologists I | 4 |
Chemistry
Complete one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 103 & CHEM 104 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | 9 |
| CHEM 109 | Advanced General Chemistry | 5 |
Biology
Complete one of the following options:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | ||
| BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 | Introductory Biology | 5 |
| BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | Introductory Biology | 5 |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option 2 | ||
| BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130 | General Botany | 5 |
| ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 | Animal Biology | 3 |
| ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 102 | Animal Biology Laboratory | 2 |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Social Science
Complete the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| C&E SOC/SOC 140 | Introduction to Community and Environmental Sociology | 4 |
| A A E 101 | Introduction to Agricultural and Applied Economics | 4 |
Major Core
Complete the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGROECOL/AGRONOMY/C&E SOC/ENTOM/ENVIR ST 103 | Agroecology: An Introduction to the Ecology of Food and Agriculture | 3 |
| AGROECOL 303 | Agroecological Systems: Working Towards Sustainability | 3 |
Major Breadth
Complete one course from each of four thematic areas (organisms, land, ecosystems, people) for a total of at least 12 credits. Courses cannot double count within the major.
Organisms
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Growth, Development, Metabolism | ||
| ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 302 | Introduction to Entomology | 4 |
| BOTANY 500 | Plant Physiology | 3-4 |
| F&W ECOL 306 | Terrestrial Vertebrates: Life History and Ecology | 4 |
| Evolution Breeding | ||
| AN SCI/DY SCI 361 | Introduction to Animal and Veterinary Genetics | 2 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 363 | Principles of Animal Breeding | 2 |
| AGRONOMY/HORT 338 | Plant Breeding and Biotechnology | 3 |
| GENETICS 466 | Principles of Genetics | 3 |
| Applied Science | ||
| ENTOM 351 | Principles of Economic Entomology | 3 |
| PL PATH 300 | Introduction to Plant Pathology | 4 |
| AGRONOMY/HORT/SOIL SCI 326 | Plant Nutrition Management | 3 |
Land
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Production Systems | ||
| AGRONOMY 300 | Cropping Systems | 3 |
| AGRONOMY/DY SCI 471 | Food Production Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| PL PATH/HORT 261 & PL PATH/HORT 262 | Sustainable Turfgrass Use and Management and Turfgrass Management Laboratory | 3 |
| Soil Water Management | ||
| SOIL SCI 301 | General Soil Science | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 321 | Soils and Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| Geospatial Information Systems | ||
| BSE 301 | Land Information Management | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST/G L E/GEOG/GEOSCI/LAND ARC 371 | Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377 | An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| F&W ECOL 395 | Data and GIS Tools for Ecology | 3 |
Ecosystems
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Patterns | ||
| HORT/AGRONOMY 376 | Tropical Horticultural Systems | 2 |
| AGRONOMY/BOTANY/SOIL SCI 370 | Grassland Ecology | 3 |
| PL PATH 315 | Plant Microbiomes | 4 |
| HORT 320 | Environment of Horticultural Plants | 3 |
| Processes | ||
| SOIL SCI/F&W ECOL 451 | Environmental Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/GEOG 526 | Human Transformations of Earth Surface Processes | 3 |
| ENTOM/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 473 | Plant-Insect Interactions | 3 |
| Landscape Interactions | ||
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324 | Soils and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| ENTOM 450 | Basic and Applied Insect Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 448 | Disturbance Ecology | 3 |
People
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Food Health | ||
| C&E SOC/A A E/SOC 340 | Issues in Food Systems | 3-4 |
| AGRONOMY 377 | Global Food Production and Health | 3 |
| HORT/HIST SCI 301 | (Horti)Cultural Roots: Human Histories of Plants and Science | 4 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 222 | Food, Culture, and Society | 3 |
| AGRONOMY/A A E/HORT/PL PATH 367 | Introduction to Organic Agriculture: Production, Markets, and Policy | 3 |
| PL PATH 311 | Global Food Security | 3 |
| A A E/AGRONOMY/NUTR SCI 350 | World Hunger and Malnutrition | 3 |
| Labor Justice | ||
| C&E SOC/SOC 341 | Labor in Global Food Systems | 3 |
| A A E/INTL ST 373 | Globalization, Poverty and Development | 3 |
| Community Values | ||
| C&E SOC/F&W ECOL/SOC 248 | Environment, Natural Resources, and Society | 3 |
| A A E 422 | Food Systems and Supply Chains | 3 |
| NUTR SCI 377 | Cultural Aspects of Food and Nutrition | 3 |
Major Depth
Complete 12 credits in one of the four thematic areas (organisms, land, ecosystems, people). See list below. Courses cannot double count within the major.
Organisms
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Growth, Development, Metabolism | ||
| ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 302 | Introduction to Entomology | 4 |
| BOTANY 500 | Plant Physiology | 3-4 |
| F&W ECOL 306 | Terrestrial Vertebrates: Life History and Ecology | 4 |
| SOIL SCI/PL PATH 323 | Soil Biology | 3 |
| ENTOM 321 | Physiology of Insects | 3 |
| PL PATH/BOTANY 332 | Fungi | 2-4 |
| or PL PATH/BOTANY 333 | Biology of the Fungi | |
| F&W ECOL 401 | Physiological Animal Ecology | 3 |
| PL PATH/BOTANY/ENTOM 505 | Plant-Microbe Interactions: Molecular and Ecological Aspects | 3 |
| Evolution Breeding | ||
| AN SCI/DY SCI 361 | Introduction to Animal and Veterinary Genetics | 2 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 363 | Principles of Animal Breeding | 2 |
| AGRONOMY/HORT 338 | Plant Breeding and Biotechnology | 3 |
| ENTOM/GENETICS/ZOOLOGY 624 | Molecular Ecology | 3 |
| PL PATH 517 | Plant Disease Resistance | 2-3 |
| AGRONOMY/HORT 501 | Principles of Plant Breeding | 3 |
| GENETICS 466 | Principles of Genetics | 3 |
| Applied Science | ||
| PL PATH 300 | Introduction to Plant Pathology | 4 |
| AGRONOMY 302 | Forage Management and Utilization | 3 |
| HORT 334 | Greenhouse Cultivation | 2 |
| HORT/AGRONOMY/SOIL SCI 326 | Plant Nutrition Management | 3 |
| PL PATH 602 | Ecology, Epidemiology and Control of Plant Diseases | 3 |
| PL PATH 559 | Diseases of Economic Plants | 3 |
| ENTOM 351 | Principles of Economic Entomology | 3 |
Land
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Production Systems | ||
| PL PATH 300 | Introduction to Plant Pathology | 4 |
| AGRONOMY/DY SCI 471 | Food Production Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| Soil Water Management | ||
| SOIL SCI 301 | General Soil Science | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 321 | Soils and Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| BSE 473 | Water Management Systems | 3 |
| Geospatial Information Systems | ||
| BSE 301 | Land Information Management | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST/G L E/GEOG/GEOSCI/LAND ARC 371 | Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377 | An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| F&W ECOL 395 | Data and GIS Tools for Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 458 | Environmental Data Science | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 575 | Assessment of Environmental Impact | 3 |
Ecosystems
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Patterns | ||
| HORT/AGRONOMY 376 | Tropical Horticultural Systems | 2 |
| AGRONOMY/BOTANY/SOIL SCI 370 | Grassland Ecology | 3 |
| PL PATH 315 | Plant Microbiomes | 4 |
| HORT 320 | Environment of Horticultural Plants | 3 |
| Processes | ||
| SOIL SCI/F&W ECOL 451 | Environmental Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| BSE/AN SCI 344 | Digital Technologies for Animal Monitoring | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/GEOG 526 | Human Transformations of Earth Surface Processes | 3 |
| ENTOM/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 473 | Plant-Insect Interactions | 3 |
| AGRONOMY/ATM OCN/SOIL SCI 532 | Environmental Biophysics | 3 |
| Landscape Interactions | ||
| HORT 378 | Tropical Horticultural Systems International Field Study | 2 |
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324 | Soils and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| ENTOM 450 | Basic and Applied Insect Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 448 | Disturbance Ecology | 3 |
People
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Food Health | ||
| C&E SOC/A A E/SOC 340 | Issues in Food Systems | 3-4 |
| AGRONOMY 377 | Global Food Production and Health | 3 |
| HORT/HIST SCI 301 | (Horti)Cultural Roots: Human Histories of Plants and Science | 4 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 533 | Public Health in Rural & Urban Communities | 3 |
| PL PATH 311 | Global Food Security | 3 |
| AGRONOMY/A A E/HORT/PL PATH 367 | Introduction to Organic Agriculture: Production, Markets, and Policy | 3 |
| Labor Justice | ||
| C&E SOC/SOC 341 | Labor in Global Food Systems | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 541 | Environmental Stewardship and Social Justice | 3 |
| LSC 340 | Misinformation, Fake News, and Correcting False Beliefs about Science | 3 |
| A A E/INTL ST 373 | Globalization, Poverty and Development | 3 |
| Community Values | ||
| AGRONOMY/C&E SOC/MED HIST/PHILOS 565 | The Ethics of Modern Biotechnology | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC/URB R PL 617 | Community Development | 3 |
| A A E 422 | Food Systems and Supply Chains | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 573 | Community Organization and Change | 3 |
Agroecology Capstone
Complete the following course:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGROECOL 503 | Agroecology Capstone | 3 |
Students considering post-graduate study should consult with their advisor and review the admissions requirements for graduate programs of interest. Post-graduate study may require preparatory coursework beyond the agroecology major requirements.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Apply foundational knowledge about the form and function of living and non-living components of agroecosystems to describe their role within agricultural systems and predict their responses to management
- Identify stocks and flows of energy and matter within and between organizational levels of agroecosystems from the cellular to the global level and consider their impact on ecological resilience, social justice, equity, and health.
- Analyze approaches to improving plant and animal traits including breeding and management and how they affect pests and diseases, soils, water, nutrients, and the atmosphere
- Compare and contrast agroecosystems in a variety of social, economic, political, geographic, and historical contexts
- Devise agroecological solutions using effective written and oral communication for multiple audiences
Four-Year Plan
This sample four-year plan is a tool to assist students and their advisors. Students should use their DARS report, the degree planner, Guide requirements, and the course search & enroll tools to make their own four-year plan based on their placement scores, credit for transferred courses and approved examinations, and individual interests.
Note: Math course selection is based on placement scores. Agroecology majors must complete MATH 112 & MATH 113 or MATH 114.
Sample Agroecology Four-Year Plan: Biology Requirement First Year
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CALS First Year Seminar | 1 | ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 & ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 102 | 5 |
| MATH 112 | 3 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Communication A | 3 | MATH 113 | 3 |
| BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130 | 5 | C&E SOC/SOC 140 | 4 |
| AGRONOMY/AGROECOL/C&E SOC/ENTOM/ENVIR ST 103 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 103 | 4 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| A A E 101 | 4 | Communication B | 3 |
| AGROECOL 303 | 3 | CALS International Studies Requirement | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | General Education | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Statistics Course | 3 | Major Breadth Courses | 6 |
| Major Breadth Courses | 6 | Major Depth Courses | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Electives | 6 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Electives | 10 | AGROECOL 503 | 3 |
| Major Depth Courses | 6 | Electives | 10 |
| Major Depth Course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Sample Agroecology Four-Year Plan: Chemistry Requirement First Year
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CALS First Year Seminar | 1 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Communication A | 3 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| AGRONOMY/AGROECOL/C&E SOC/ENTOM/ENVIR ST 103 | 3 | C&E SOC/SOC 140 | 4 |
| CHEM 103 | 4 | General Education | 3 |
| MATH 114 | 5 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| A A E 101 | 4 | Communication B | 3 |
| BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130 | 5 | ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 & ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 102 | 5 |
| AGROECOL 303 | 3 | CALS International Studies Requirement | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Statistics Course | 3 | Major Breadth Courses | 6 |
| Major Breadth Courses | 6 | Major Depth Courses | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Electives | 6 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Electives | 9 | AGROECOL 503 | 3 |
| Major Depth Courses | 6 | Electives | 9 |
| Major Depth Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Advising
Each student receives one-on-one guidance from their professional advisor. Academic advisors will help students build an individualized, four-year plan. Many Agroecology majors complete certificates or double majors.
Career Opportunities
The knowledge and skills developed through the agroecology major prepare students for a wide variety of careers. The program is designed to allow students to pursue their interests and career goals. Some of the areas students may work in include: conservation and environmental organizations, the agricultural industry, state and federal agencies, consulting, land/ farm management, or agricultural policy, research, and education. Students may also continue their education in graduate programs in areas focused on agriculture, conservation, ecology, and the environment.
Career Advising
Students are encouraged to begin the career exploration process early in their UW-Madison journey by working with advisors, faculty, and CALS Career Services. These resources can help students reflect on their values, identify career goals, and outline strategies to achieve them. CALS Career Services advisors can help students one-on-one with their career goals, resume and cover letter help, interview prep, and more.
People
Professors and Instructors
Bill Tracy, Professor, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences (Program Chair)
Mike Bell, Professor, Department of Community and Environmental Sociology
Randy Jackson, Professor, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences
Tom Bryan, Teaching Faculty, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences
Xia Zhu-Barker, Assistant Professor, Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences
Advisor
Kathryn Jones, Academic Advising Manager, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences
Wisconsin Experience
Internships
Agroecology students have many opportunities for hands-on experience through internships. On campus, students can get experience by working at one of the green spaces on campus. Some examples are Allen Centennial Garden, D.C. Smith Greenhouse, the UW Student Organic Farm, and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. Students can also intern off-campus. Some examples are working at an agricultural business, a farm, a non-governmental organization, or one of the Agricultural Research Stations, etc. Students can connect with their advisor or CALS Career Services to learn more about internships.
Research Experience
Students are encouraged to get involved with agroecology research on campus. Students primarily find research opportunities by directly contacting faculty or searching on the Student Job Center.
Student Organizations
Connect with other agroecology students and those interested in food and agriculture by joining a student organization. Organizations of particular interest to agroecology students include People’s Farm: Students for Sustainable Agriculture, Slow Food UW, WUD Cuisine Committee, Food Recovery Network – Madison Chapter, UW Campus Food Shed, and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). A full list of organizations is available on the Wisconsin Involvement Network website.
Global Engagement
Agroecology students can study or intern abroad through one of UW-Madison’s 260+ programs. Visit our Major Advising Page to learn more about studying abroad as an Agroecology major.
Resources and Scholarships
Resources
Agroecology students have access to hands-on experiences on and off campus at UW-Madison facilities such as:
- Agricultural Research Stations – there are over 10 research stations across the state of Wisconsin that are used by faculty, staff, and students to conduct research
- Allen Centennial Garden – a free, public garden that is located right down the street from the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences. The garden hosts events, classes, festivals, workshops, and more.
- CALS Greenhouses – located right on campus, a variety of Wisconsin agricultural crops are studied here.
- D.C. Smith Greenhouse – an instructional greenhouse that grows plants for departments and programs of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Many classes are also taught in the greenhouse.
- Lakeshore Nature Preserve – a 300-acre natural area right next to Lake Mendota. The preserve is used for teaching & research, and is also a great place for students to explore nature on campus.
- UW Arboretum – located off campus on Seminole Hwy, the UW Arboretum’s mission is to “Conserve and restore Arboretum lands, advance restoration ecology, and foster the land ethic.”
Scholarships
College of Agricultural and Life students receive more than $1.25 million annually in scholarship awards. Agroecology majors can apply for these scholarships through a single application in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). To learn more about college scholarships please visit the CALS scholarship website.