Course CodeBAG215Fee CodeS2Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Learn to make a farm more sustainable in every way Environmentally Financially Ethically SUSTAINABILITY IS MORE THAN JUST THE PRODUCT THOUGH A sustainable farm must not only sustain it's income and what it produces; but also the people involves with the farm and the land resources that support the productivity of the farm. This course explores all aspects of farm sustainability and helps you develop a foundation for understanding sustainability in a very broad sense; that allows you to adapt and apply yourself to the changes and challenges of the future. Lesson Structure There are 8 lessons in this course: Introduction Sustainable ways of farming Whole farm planning Land Management programs Sustainable ways of farming Natural farming Organic farming Permaculture No Dig techniques Biodynamics Soils Growing media Major types of soil problems Soil structural decline Erosion Salinity Acidification Soil improvements Phytotoxicity Adding organic matter to soils Cultivation techniques Conservation tillage Plant nutrition Soil life Cover crops Water Types of water storage Livestock water requirements Water problems Water quality Reed beds Water saving measures Recycling Swales and Keylines Irrigation systems Land Care Weed Management Preventative measures Tree management Timber lots/plantations Wind breaks Wildlife corridors Wildlife habitats Pest and diseases Financial Sustainability Economic principles Developing a Farm Business Plan Financial plan Controlling growth Value adding Enterprise mix Eco-tourism Broad Management Strategies Toward better planning Land care or land management New enterprises Broad management categories Marketing Personal welfare Plan drawing of farm Looking at risk Quality systems Plant Enterprises Crop management Hydroponic fodder Hay Considering new crops Nuts Organic farming Agro-forestry Hydroponics Herbs Animal Enterprises Deer Ostriches Emus Alpacas llama Goats Aquaculture Wool and meat production Horses How Much Does a Farm Need to Change? Change is an inevitable reality in today's world. It is rare to find any farm whether berry grower or beef grower, who can afford to run every aspect of their farm the same way as it was done a generation ago. As we move into the future, the inevitability of change is not diminishing. Farms of the future will need to keep reinventing themselves, to produce what people want to buy; and to produce it in a way they want to buy it. People no longer want to just buy beef; but they want certain types of beef: perhaps Wagu beef or organic beef. Some beef producers have created niche markets for themselves selling value added products (eg. Dried Beef). Every farm product has the potential to keep reinventing itself; and the most sustainable farms will reinvent haw they grow, what they grow and how they market their produce. HOW CAN THIS COURSE HELP YOU? This course is aimed at: All farmers who would like to have a more sustainable approach to farm management. Hobby farmers - if want to be environmentally sound in your approach to land management. People working as consultants to farmers in order to understand the latest approaches to sound farm practices.