There are many reasons to complete a bachelor of science degree; financial and personal. Higher education is the surest path to both opportunity and earning power. A bachelor of science degree provides not only the hard skills necessary in the job market, but also critical thinking skills, a path to individual and personal growth and the chance to give back to the community. Significantly different than conventional agriculture, organic food production is one of the fastest-growing segments of agriculture, with retail sales increasing by 20 percent annually since 1991. In many ways, Washington State has been a leader in this burgeoning new industry. This revolutionary new major is the first of its kind to be offered in the United States. Students in this major take a diverse array of courses in the natural, environmental, economic and social sciences, as well as a number of courses focused on organic production practices.

Students wanting a hands-on degree experience thrive in the organic major. WSU Everett collaborates with VIVA Farms at three westside locations funded as incubator farms and CSAs. As a multi-disciplinary organic farming operation and community center these farms are an invaluable tool where students learn to produce certified organic vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers that are distributed through local food banks, the SNAP program, a member community supported agriculture (CSA), and local farmers’ markets. WSU Everett is also part of the SAgE Collaborative working in sustainable agriculture education.