Soil Health Management Minor

Program Coordinator/Contact

David Wright, Department Head
Brent Turnipseed, Assistant Department Head
Hani Ghosheh, Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator
Department of Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science
Raven Precision Agriculture Center 140
605-688-4600 (Department Head, SRPAC 140)
605-688-4450 (Teaching Office, SNP 247)

Program Information

The Soil Health Management Minor is open to students of all majors and provides a strong background in basic soil health sciences, covering such topics as soil biology, soil chemistry, conservation, contaminants, and sustainable land management practices. Students completing this minor may seek employment in areas of agricultural production, marketing, management, natural resource management, and conservation, i.e., areas in which decision-making requires a sound understanding of soils.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Soil Health Management Minor, students will:

• achieve a fundamental understanding of basic soil science principles and practices;
• gain an understanding of the scope, activities, and nomenclature in the field of soil health (fertility, genesis, conservation, chemistry, and microbiology);
• demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate (written, listening, and oral) with both scientific and non-scientific audiences;
• be an advocate for Soil Health Management and Agriculture in society; and
• be a lifelong learner.

Academic Requirements

Students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher and a grade of C or higher in the program’s coursework.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Students seeking Soil Science Certification should contact their advisor and refer to the Soil Science Society of America website.

Course Delivery Format

The program coursework is available on campus, in classrooms and laboratories, as well as field-based settings.