Study Alternative Agriculture - be an expert in sustainable farming practices

Alternative agricultural enterprises look outside the corporate-controlled agricultural environment toward creating new markets and new ways of "doing things" - by value adding or by designing market niches not able to be readily filled by mass market competition.

• Develop your skills and knowledge to explore and apply yourself to creating sustainable farming systems. Be adaptable to meet environmental and consumer needs.

Why you should study this course!

A looming food crisis has been created by energy-consuming, broad-acre systems that rely heavily on chemical inputs. These systems need to be urgently dismantled and replaced by healthy, environmentally sustainable, alternative farming systems. Innovative leaders - who are prepared to meet the challenges of repairing the damage caused by broad-acre, chemical based monocultures - are urgently required.

Agriculture is part of a competitive, global market. Forms of agriculture that rely on the chemical inputs promoted by the global chemical companies, have degraded the environment to unsustainable levels. Environmental concerns and the looming food crisis are confronting all agricultural enterprises. There is an immediate need for agricultural leaders who can respond in an intelligent and environmentally aware manner.

This course is suitable for anyone already working in agriculture and wants to improve their job and career prospects.

You study the Advanced Diploma In Agriculture - Alternative Agriculture by distance learning. You can start at any time to suit you.

The course is made up of a total 25 modules.  The duration is approximately 2,500 hours of study.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The study modules (25) are made up of: Core Modules (8), Stream Modules (8) and Elective Modules (9). These are listed below; follow the links in the module titles to find out further details on each one:

The Core Modules (8)

Permaculture Systems
Sustainable Agriculture
Organic Farming
Farm Management
Workplace Health and Safety
Research Project I
Research Project II
Workshop I

The Stream Modules (8)

Animal Husbandry I (Anatomy and Physiology)
Animal Husbandry II (Animal Health)
Botany I (Plant Physiology and Taxonomy)
Engineering I (Machinery and Equipment)
Soil Management (Agriculture)
Agricultural Marketing
Plant Protection
Organic Plant Culture

The Elective Modules (9)

Nine additional modules are to be selected from the modules listed below:

Animal Husbandry III
Animal Breeding
Horse Care I
Horse Care II
Horse Care III
Aquaculture
Poultry Husbandry
Pigs Husbandry
Permaculture Systems
Advanced Permaculture
Sheep Management
Dairy Cattle Management
Beef Cattle Management
Pasture Management
Fruit Production (Temperate) or Fruit Production (Warm climate)
Cut Flower Production
Natural Animal Health Care
Calf Rearing
Alternative Energy
Biochemistry I (Animals)
Biochemistry I (Plants)
Refrigerating Farm Produce

Forage Management BAG226

Soil Microbiome BSC310

Fibre Crops BAG313

Oil Crops BAG312

STUDY SEQUENCE

Core modules must be completed before stream and elective modules. Electives can be chosen from other subjects not already listed. If there are subjects that you would like to study that are not listed please contact the school for approval.

Note: Fees cover all tuition and any essential texts. This does not include fees for exams or any industry conferences/seminars or workshops which are attended.

The looming food crisis has been created by energy-consuming, broad-acre systems that rely heavily on chemical inputs. These systems need to be urgently dismantled and replaced by healthy, environmentally sustainable, alternative farming systems.

What is organic farming?

There are many definitions of organic farming. A commonly accepted definition is “farming without the addition of artificial chemicals”. An artificial chemical is one that has been manufactured or processed chemically; e.g. super phosphate (one of the world’s most important fertilisers).

Organic farmers cannot use any chemical herbicides at all. Some fertilisers and soil treatments are acceptable if they are from natural sources, for example, rock phosphate, lime and gypsum. Most artificial pesticides are prohibited; the exceptions being substances which have mild effects on the environment, such as soap and winter oil. The routine use of animal vaccines is not permitted, although some certifiers allow the use of vaccines under certain conditions. Homeopathic veterinary remedies are accepted options.

All kinds of agricultural products are produced organically – vegetables, fruit, grains, meat, dairy, eggs, and fibres such as cotton and wool. Many processed foods are also produced organically (e.g. bread).