Specialty Agriculture in this context refers to sustainable, high-yield agriculture that can be economically sustainable in mountainous regions and small land areas. It will include, but is not limited to, the agricultural aspects of greenhouse production, hydroponics, precision farming, urban agriculture, community gardens, and specialty crop production. The concept of Specialty Agriculture includes technological advances improving yield, and business and marketing practices supporting the small farmer.
The bachelor’s degree in Specialty Agriculture at Marshall University, located in Huntington, West Virginia, will provide educational opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, and agritourism, will cover both traditional and sustainable agricultural sciences, and will emphasize new and emerging technologies for high yield and specialty agriculture that will improve agribusiness outcomes for smaller farms that are characteristic of the region.
Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Specialty Agriculture will have a wide range of advanced career possibilities in growing fields ranging from agribusiness to Extension education and from food production to nutrient management and much more.
Anyone who enjoys the outdoors, working with their hands, cares about sustainability, or wants to create quality agricultural products, is a good candidate for the B.S. in Specialty Agriculture program.
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Marshall’s Specialty Agriculture faculty members collaborate with local and regional agriculture enterprises and educational institutions as well as the Marshall University Sustainability Department to offer students hands-on experiences and to build relationships in to field experts with a range of expertise.
Marshall University’s bachelor’s in Specialty Agriculture program allows students to explore several exciting areas where natural resources, entrepreneurship, and sustainability intersect. Our Specialty Agriculture students dig in to Agricultural Entomology, Animal Production, Biology, Chemistry, Entrepreneurship Horticulture, Management, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Soil Science and Sustainable Agriculture, among others.
Students at Marshall can enhance their educational experience by joining the Marshall University chapter of Collegiate 4-H. Specialty Agriculture faculty also participate in regional, national and international conferences to stay abreast of the most updated practices and raise Marshall’s visibility in the field.
Agriculture is an essential industry in the United States, employing millions of Americans every year. The agriculture sector provides many jobs for scientists, farmers, food specialists, animal care professionals, ecologists and environmental specialists. Job growth is expected to be steady through 2031.
- Agribusiness
- Agritourism
- Animal Production
- Extension Education and Outreach
- Food Science
- Forestry
- Horticulture / Crop Production
- Nutrient Management