SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section
Our mission is to generate and communicate knowledge about agroecosystems and their sustainable management in the face of accelerating global change. We achieve this by educating students for stewardship of agro-ecosystems, conducting scientific research on sustainable land management, and using our extension and outreach programs for the benefit of our stakeholders.
Many faculty conduct programs focusing on New York and the northeastern United States region, as well as in many countries around the world having temperate, sub-tropical and tropical environments. Learn more about the history of our section and the vision of our school.
Soil & Crop Sciences
Our section addresses the challenge of developing environmentally sustainable agricultural systems to produce food for a growing world population, mitigating the impacts of climate change, increasing nutrient use efficiency and improving soil health.
Research Areas in Soil & Crop Sciences
Graduate and undergraduate training
Soil & Crop Sciences offers degrees and training opportunities at all stages of the educational pipeline
Graduate field of soil & crop sciences
Students interested in obtaining an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in the graduate field of soil & crop sciences can select from four concentrations.
- Agronomy
- Field crop science
- Soil science
- Environmental information systems
Master of Professional Studies
Our MPS programs are one-year, course-based degrees, ideal for individuals interested in in-depth study of the issues and advancements in plant and soil sciences. Choose from specializations in Controlled Environment Agriculture, viticulture, public garden leadership, hemp science, plant protection, geospatial applications and more.
Undergraduate — plant sciences major
Undergraduates majoring in the plant sciences can choose to concentrate in soil science, preparing them for careers in soil health, conservation and agriculture, whether in private industry or public government/university sectors.
Undergraduate — agricultural sciences major
Undergraduate students have the opportunity to major in agricultural sciences, an interdisciplinary program to which Soil and Crop Sciences faculty and staff contribute significant instruction and research opportunities.
Undergraduate — soil science minor
Undergraduate students in diverse majors can add a minor in soil science, and gain in depth knowledge of this discipline.
Undergraduate — crop management minor
Undergraduate students in diverse majors can add a minor in crop management, providing a strong foundation in this area.
Undergraduate research — Microbial Friends & Foes
Microbial Friends & Foes undergraduate research experience is sponsored by the Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease. Participants are placed in host labs at Cornell working on many different aspects of microbial interactions with plants and animals.
Undergraduate research — other
The Office of Undergraduate Research provides information about exploring the wealth of research opportunities at Cornell.
The Honors Program in Biological Sciences is designed to offer advanced training in laboratory and field research through the performance of an original research project under the direct guidance of a member of the Cornell faculty.
News from the SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section
Learn more about recent developments in our research, outreach, and education
News
The classic identification guide “Weeds of the Northeast” sprouted from a collaboration of Cornell researchers. Now, a new edition of the book brings together a pair of uncannily named weed scientists: Antonio DiTommaso and Joseph DiTomaso.
News
Microbes are by far the most important factor in determining how much carbon is stored in the soil, according to a new study with implications for mitigating climate change and improving soil health for agriculture and food production.
Spotlight
Academic focus: Weed science. Research summary: I study the biology and ecology of most problematic weed species for developing cost-effective and sustainable weed management strategies in New York field cropping systems. Monitoring evolution...
News
Johannes Lehmann, Colin Parrish, Bik-Kwoon Tye and Michelle Wang are Cornell’s 2023 electees to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the academy announced May 2 at the close of its 160th annual meeting.
News
Ryan Maher, a research, extension, and soil health specialist for the Cornell Small Farms Program since 2013, has assumed a new leadership position as Organic Coordinator for the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (Cornell AES)...