Department of Agriculture and Food Science
The Department of Agriculture and Food Science at Western Kentucky University prepares students for careers in agriculture and food science industries and strives to fill the needs of both the student who requires general technical knowledge for production agriculture and the student who needs more specialized training to pursue one of many careers. We use the University Farm and the Agricultural Exposition Center as integral parts of our laboratory and classroom instructional programming to provide practical experiences.
What Can I Do With An Ag Degree?
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY.
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, 508
The major in agriculture (508) consists of several concentrations allowing students to specialize in areas of interest such as agronomy, agribusiness, agricultural education, agricultural systems, animal science, dairy science, horticulture, horse science, and turf and golf course management.
Agriculture, Minor 308
This option involves the completion of at least 30 semester hours in Agriculture, including all basic agriculture requirements, along with a suitable major or minor(s) in other department(s).
Floristry, Certificate (1769)
The Floristry certificate is meant to enhance majors such as business, horticulture, hospitality management, hotel restaurant management, and interior design. Students who elect the Floristry certificate will develop the skills needed to establish and manage a retail floral business, with an emphasis on logistics, resources, marketing, and risk management.
Master of Science in Agriculture, 052
This Master's Degree is a general degree in agriculture and can be thesis or non-thesis depending on student goals. The degree is general by design which allows for maximum flexibility for each student.
Joint Undergraduate-Master's Program (JUMP)
Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission into the WKU Agriculture JUMP program:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher in their undergraduate coursework.
- Completion of discipline-related 300-level courses with a grade of B or greater.
- Completed JUMP application (applications can be picked up at main Ag Office, EST 269) which includes a one-page essay describing the candidate’s statement of study along with a faculty-written letter of recommendation highlighting their readiness for advanced coursework.
- Approval by the Graduate Program Coordinator based on a holistic review of academic performance, preparedness, and quality of application.
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The WKU Farm and Agriculture & Research Education Center Our 800+-acre working farm is home to a wide variety of animals and crops and serves as a classroom and laboratory for students to get hands-on experiences with livestock, agronomy, turf management, and more. |
Get Involved.
Getting involved is crucial to a successful and fulfilling college experience. WKU's Department of Agriculture and Food Science is happy to offer many student organizations to help students engage with their faculty and peers.
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Plant the Seeds to Your Success Climb to the Top with Western Kentucky University's Department of Agriculture and Food Science. We can't wait to welcome you to the Hilltopper family. |
within WKU's Department of Agriculture & Food Science
Our students are growing socially and professionally with involvement in student organizations and employment opportunities on the WKU Farm.
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1906 College Heights Blvd. #41066 |
Current Student Highlight
Abigail is currently serving as the President of the WKU Horticulture Club and has been a part of numerous research endeavors, working on crops from hemp to coffee to beets and more! She also recently finished a FUSE grant project with Dr. Martin Stone, winning third place in the undergraduate competition at a national horticulture conference. Abigail studied abroad during the summer of 2023 in Costa Rica.
“I love the Agriculture program at WKU because it encompasses all aspects of my field in one comprehensive degree,” Abigail said. “I know it sounds cliché, but this department is like a family, and I can always count on them.”
Alumni Spotlight
Bradon Burks is the Director of Education at the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association/Kentucky Beef Council and has been with them since December 2021. Bradon grew up on his family's Angus and Hereford cattle operation in south central Kentucky where his love for agriculture began. Bradon received his B.A. in Agriculture with an emphasis in Education and a minor in Sales from WKU in 2021. During his time on The Hill, Bradon was involved in various student organizations such as Block and Bridle, Agriculture Education Society, and Student Government Association, and he was a Founding Father of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He served as a Student Alumni Ambassador and an Agriculture Ambassador while also becoming the 2021 WKU Coming Home King. In his current role, Bradon focuses on sharing the beef farm family message with producers, consumers, and youth across Kentucky. Bradon is the lead for many programs, such as the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Beef Council’s Youth Leadership Program, the Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium, and the Auburn Veterinary Student Mentorship Program. Bradon now lives in Nicholasville, Kentucky and is a proud Hilltopper alumnus.
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