Agronomy is the branch of agriculture that deals with the study of plants, soils, and the environment. Agronomists work to develop methods to increase the production of food and fiber crops and to properly manage and sustain the soil. Agronomists are involved with research in plant breeding, tillage and cropping systems, weed control, pasture and rangeland management, soil fertility, animal waste use and management, biofuels, irrigation, and many other areas. The challenge for an agronomist is to use science to develop and sustain the food supply while conserving natural resources and protecting the environment. As an agronomy major, you'll be immersed in a broad array of courses and topics including botany, chemistry, genetics, cell biology, plant physiology, computer science, agricultural economics, entomology (the study of bugs), plant pathology (the study of plant diseases), and natural resource conservation. You'll learn all about the science behind farming and how to best control weeds, insect pests, and plant diseases.
