SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE - BAG215

Study Sustainable Agriculture at Home

A detailed course looking at all areas of sustainability

This course is aimed at those who want to help the world move towards the preservation of our natural resources and to maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Economic, commercial, marketing and production techniques are explored in a multifaceted way to help move a farm towards improved sustainability.

Sustainable agricultural practices must not impact negatively on the environment therefore this course encourages:

• The investigation of how farming practices impacts on and shapes the future of the environment
• Farming practices that suit the local environment and reduce the impact on it
  
• Examination of the best use of natural resources; the use of water in production; preservation of soil quality; responsible use of chemicals and fertilizers; reducing the potential for salinity and pollution of waterways.
  
• The conservation of biodiversity
  
• Long term improvements in productivity
  
• Social improvement, through sustainable practices (both monetary and non- monetary)
  
• Flexibility and risk management (in fluctuating markets and climate variations)

COURSE STRUCTURE

There are 8 lessons as follows:

• Sustainable ways of farming
• Whole farm planning
• Land Management programs
• Sustainable ways of farming
• Natural farming
• Organic farming
• Permaculture
• No Dig techniques
• Biodynamics

• 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

• Types of water storage
• Livestock water requirements
• Water problems
• Water quality
• Reed beds
• Water saving measures
• Recycling
• Swales and keylines
• Irrigation systems

• Weed Management
• Preventative measures
• Tree management
• Timber lots/plantations
• Wind breaks
• Wildlife corridors
• Wildlife habitats
• Pest and diseases

• Economic principles
• Developing a Farm Business Plan
• Financial plan
• Controlling growth
• Value adding
• Enterprise mix
• Eco-tourism

• 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

• Crop management
• Hydroponic fodder
• Hay
• Considering new crops
• Nuts
• Organic farming
• Agro-forestry
• Hydroponics
• Herbs

Lesson 8 - Animal Enterprises

• Deer
• Ostriches
• Emus
• Alpacas
• llama
• Goats
• Aquaculture
• Wool and meat production
• Horses

 What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.

If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.

If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.

If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.

There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.

Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.

You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.

You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

Additional Reference

An ideal  reference is the book Sustainable Agriculture 2nd edition, written by our principal John Mason, and published by Landlinks Press (A division of CSIRO).

Click here to view an outline of this book and to order a copy

AIMS

• Understand the broad possibilities for improving sustainability on farms.
• Understand how to avoid serious degradation of soils on a farm through sustainable management.
• Understand the broad possibilities for improving sustainability on farms.
• Understand how to avoid too serious degradation of soils on a farm through water management.
• Understand Economic Rules that apply to a farm Enterprise.
• Crop management techniques for sustainability.
• Minimising degradation through planning and management.
• Evaluate the financial viability and potential of animal enterprises.

WHAT THE COURSE COVERS

 Here are just some of the things you may be doing:

• Investigate what is being done for improving agricultural sustainability in your country or region.
• Contact different organisations or farmers and find out what you can about attitudes & resources available to assist with improving sustainability in your chosen area/Country/region.
• Investigate whether an organic certification scheme operates in your country, and if so, find out what is involved currently in attaining that certification for a farm.
• Obtain either literature or advice relating to the management to soil degradation in your locality.
• Identify the most important issues that farmers need to address in a region within approximately 100 km( or 50 miles )of your home; in order to remain financially viable over the next two decades
• Distinguish between hydroponics, permaculture, biodynamics and certified organic farming.
• Identify a farm situation where it might be appropriate to convert to either permaculture, biodynamics or certified organic system.
• What is being done to improve sustainability of agriculture in the region, country or state of your choice.
• Obtain information from your local government department or irrigation supply company. Find out what the local water quality is like and how it was measured.
• Explain how you can test your local water supply for contaminants. What contaminants were found? eg. Bacteria, heavy metals, silt etc.
• Outline how can these contaminants be removed from the local water supply eg filtration, chemicals, etc.
• Identify cost effective means by which contamination can be prevented.
• Identify types of water catchment in your local area. eg dams ,stream ,creeks ,etc.
• Find out what types of conservation are being practiced in your local area.
• Outline methods of pest control being practiced in your area
• Describe methods of weed control used in your area.
• Identify and describe any natural control methods being used in your area.
• Research tourism activities are available in your local area.
• Investigate planning and advisory services in your local area.
• Investigate existing animal enterprises in your local area and the economic impact.
  

  
Today the pressure is on for more and more farmers to work towards sustainable systems of farming which produce healthy, nutritious, affordable food and a dependable, secure food supply -without producing a negative impact on the environment. Sustainable farms should protect the environment, preserve open spaces, forests and wildlife and also encourage and conserve biodiversity, plus provide the farmer and farm workers with a good living.

This course is aimed at those who want to help the world move towards the preservation of our natural resources and to maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Economic, commercial, marketing and production techniques are explored in a multifaceted way to help move a farm towards improved sustainability.

Sustainable agricultural practices must not impact negatively on the environment therefore this course encourages:

• The investigation of how farming practices impacts on and shapes the future of the environment
• Farming practices that suit the local environment and reduce the impact on it
• Examination of the best use of natural resources; the use of water in production; preservation of soil quality; responsible use of chemicals and fertilizers; reducing the potential for salinity and pollution of waterways.
• The conservation of biodiversity
• Long term improvements in productivity
• Social improvement, through sustainable practices (both monetary and non- monetary)
• Flexibility and risk management (in fluctuating markets and climate variations)

  
  

  More Information on A.C.S Distance Education and our courses

  
  

  Who are our tutors?

   

  Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study.  We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives.  We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

   

  Sample Course Notes

  Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well.  We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis.  If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

   

  What learning method should I choose?

  We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”

   

  How Long will it take to complete the course?

  This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing.  We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

   

  Longer courses will obviously take longer.  You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”

   

  What Do Our Students think of us?

  If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.

   

  I don’t think this is the right course for me.

  If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.

   

  You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.

   

  If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk

   

  Recognition and Accreditation

  For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.

   

  Who is ACS Distance Education?

  If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”

  OUR TUTORS

  Dr. Gareth Pearce BSc(Hons), BVSc, MA, MVetS, PhD, GradCertEd(HE), PGCertAqVetS, PGCertWLBio&Cons, DiplECPHM, MRCVS. Gareth has over 25 years of experience in teaching and research in agriculture, veterinary medicine, wildlife ecology and conservation in a variety of colleges and universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon at the Universities of Melbourne and Bristol, having previously graduated in Agricultural Science and gained a PhD in Livestock Behaviour and Production. He also has post-graduate qualifications in Education, Wildlife Conservation Medicine, Aquatic Veterinary Studies and Wildlife Biology & Conservation.

  Anna Sylvester B.Sc.Hons.(Human Biology), M.Sc.Equine
  Anna graduated with a degree in Human Biology from Loughborough University and then went on to complete an MSc in Equine Science at The University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and has a high level of expertise in equine science. She has since spent time in managerial, research and lecturing positions. She also has practical equine experience, and still competes nationally whenever the opportunity arises.

  Marius Erasmus B.Sc.Agric., B.Sc.(Wildlife), M.Sc.Agric.
  Subsequent to completing a BSc (agric) degree in animal science, he completed an honours degree in wildlife management, and a masters degree in production animal physiology. Following the Masters degree, he has worked for 9 years in the UK, and South Africa; in wildlife management, dairy, beef and poultry farming.

   

Home Study Sustainable Agriculture Course

Prepare for Farming in the Future

Explore and learn the principles and practices of environmental and economic sustainability

• Understand how to develop your produce using sustainable agriculture.

• Develop your knowledge of the underlying principles.

• A must for anyone wanting to develop their farm in an agriculturally sustainable way.

• Taught by highly qualified and experienced tutors.

• Study in your time and at your own pace.

Today the pressure is on for more and more farmers to work towards sustainable systems of farming which produce healthy, nutritious, affordable food and a dependable, secure food supply -without producing a negative impact on the environment. Sustainable farms should protect the environment, preserve open spaces, forests and wildlife and also encourage and conserve biodiversity, plus provide the farmer and farm workers with a good living.