Agronomists are concerned with producing food and with protecting soil and water resources.
The Crop Science option in Agronomy emphasizes primarily the physiology, production and quality of forage crops. The Soil Science option in Agronomy emphasizes the characteristics and management of soils for growing plants, construction sites, wastewater treatment, and surface mine reclamation. Agronomists qualify for a wide variety of occupations including farming, soil conservation, soil survey, agricultural sales, extension, research, plant breeding, and turf grass management. The Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, which houses the Agronomy program, offers students hands-on training. Learning is enhanced by experience at the colleges farms in the Morgantown area as well as the campus greenhouses.