Department of Soil and Water Systems

Soil and water systems

The Department of Soil and Water Systems (SWS) combines soil science, agronomy, hydrology, sediment transport, irrigation engineering, waste management and precision agriculture. You’ll learn to address resource issues related to soil, water quality and quantity and sustainable food, energy and waste systems. Experiential learning and opportunities outside of the classroom will help you build professional skills and opportunities to network with field and industry professionals.

As a student in SWS, you’ll learn about issues in soil, water and environments in urban, agricultural and natural ecosystems.

In the agricultural systems management program, you’ll gain knowledge in managing machines and equipment, biological processes and other technologies to create new and improved agricultural systems. This hands-on program involves experience in shop practices, welding, electric power, machinery and small engines.

In the environmental soil science degree, you'll apply knowledge in biology, chemistry and physics to conserve and improve soil and water quality for farming, bioremediation, development and more. Gain the interdisciplinary knowledge required to manage crop, forest, rangeland and urban soils for long-term health and sustainability with this degree.

The sustainable food systems degree is perfect if you’re interested in producing food while conserving natural resources such as soil and water. Learn about new production practices and gain an understanding of how policy influences the availability of food. Then, put the knowledge you learn in the classroom into practice at our organically managed student farm close to campus.

In the water science and management degree, you’ll study water quality and quantity issues and learn to use science to manage and conserve water in various environments.

Minors in agricultural systems management, soil science, sustainable food systems and water science and management are available to complement any major. A certificate in precision agriculture provides further education related to technologies used to help ensure a safe and sustainable food supply while reducing environmental impacts.

Academics

Explore degree options to see which option is right for you. Whether you're interested in developing new technologies to aid food production, improving soil and water quality, producing food with less resources or studying water quality and quantity issues, we’ll supply you with knowledge to address critical issues to help sustain our natural resources for the future.

SWS also offers a master’s and doctorate program in soil and land resources. Interdisciplinary programs in water resources and environmental science are also available. In these programs, you'll work with professors who actively conduct research on a variety of topics and customize your program based on research interests.

Explore SWS degrees

• Agricultural systems management, B.S.
• Environmental soil science, B.S.
• Sustainable food systems, B.S.
• Water science and management, B.S.
• Environmental science, M.S.
• Soil and land resources, M.S.
• Soil and land resources, Ph.D.
• Water resources, M.S.
• Water resources, Ph.D.
• Precision agriculture certificate

Get involved

SWS offers the Agricultural Systems Management Club, Hydroponics Club, Plant and Soil Science Club and Soil Stewards. These clubs provide you with opportunities to travel, earn scholarships and gain references from faculty. They also help you develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills while receiving professional experience when you participate in conventions and meetings within the industry. In addition, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has more than 30 clubs, making it easy to find your passion and get involved. Learn about CALS clubs and organizations.

Discover

Learn what current SWS students are up to, from internships to undergraduate research projects.

Soil Stewards Farm

The Soil Stewards Farm gives you an opportunity to learn and practice the principles of sustainable, small-acreage market garden production. You’ll gain important hands-on experience and leadership skills through the operation of the certified organic farm.

Produce grown at the farm is sold to the local community. Available produce will vary depending on the season, but the Soil Stewards grow diversified vegetables from greens to tomatoes, kale, onions, potatoes, pumpkins and more. Check our Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on plant sales, produce sales and other updates.

The Soil Stewards Farm is located on a three-acre parcel on Farm Road near the U of I Sheep Center. The farm was certified organic in 2020.

Interested in learning more or joining the Soil Stewards Student Club? Email soilstewards@uidaho.edu.

Maynard A. Fosberg Soil Monolith Collection

The Maynard A. Fosberg Soil Monolith Collection contains approximately 235 soils from the state of Idaho, Pacific Northwest and United States. Located on the first floor of the Agricultural Science building, the collection is one of the largest in the U.S.

Key SWS research projects and programs

The largest grant in U of I history will help farmers combat changing climate with an emphasis on soil health. Learn more about the Innovative Agriculture Marketing Partnership grant.

U of I offers a robust teaching, research and Extension program related to soil science.

The Deep Soil Ecotron will allow researchers to study soil at the world’s greatest depths. Located in the JW Martin Lab on the Moscow campus, the Deep Soil Ecotron is only the second ecotron in the United States.

The U of I Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center is one of two USDA Certified Organic programs in the U of I College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

The Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (Idaho CAFE) is the nation’s largest research dairy and includes a demonstration farm focused on soil and water health.

The IDAH2O Extension program provides a unique opportunity for citizen scientists to learn about and document regional water issues.

The UI Extension soil health program helps farmers improve soil health on their farms.

Learn about the distribution, properties, ecological significance and use of the Twelve Soil Orders.

The water resources research group at the U of I Kimberly Research and Extension Center is a national leader on consumption of water by irrigated agriculture and natural systems.

The Pedology Laboratory at University of Idaho is housed in the Department of Soil and Water Systems. Current research focuses on the environmental factors and processes that form soils and ultimately influence their use and management.

Meet our people

Specialty areas include hydrology, precision agriculture, erosion, remote sensing, watershed management, value-added products from waste, agricultural mechanics, ecosystem sustainability, biogeochemistry, plant and soil microbe interactions, water quality and quantity, drought monitoring and forecasting, nutrient and livestock waste management, environmental soil chemistry and microbial ecology.

News and events

Soil and Land Evaluation Program

The purpose of the Soil and Land Career Development Event is to teach participants to recognize soil factors and assess soil characteristics that affect agricultural production practices and suitability for selecting a home site. View event rules, background and training materials (pdf).