Postgraduate Certificate Organic Farming (Distance Learning)

This module will provide an overview of the philosophy, principles, history and development of the organic farming industry. The organic standards will be introduced and the ways in which they are used to regulate the organic food and farming industry at UK, European and world levels will be covered, serving the dual role of organic farming in both a growing organic market and the delivery of public goods. The roles of the main UK organisations and support schemes that influence the development of the organic sector will also be explored.

Organic certification requires farmers and growers to optimise production under constraints set by EU Regulation. This module will explore a range of typical organic production methods for UK grassland, arable, horticultural and vegetable field crops, within the context of these constraints.

This module will look at the organic approach to livestock production in ruminant, monogastric and aquaculture systems. It will cover the relevant organic standards and the key elements of organic livestock management including breeds and breeding objectives, rearing systems, appropriate housing and nutrition, animal welfare and health. Students will gain an understanding of health planning and a whole-system approach to animal management and how these practices address the organic principles.

Organic certification requires farmers and growers to optimise production under certain constraints set by EU Regulation. In soil terms this particularly means restrictions on nutrient inputs and the need for soil properties to be optimal to ensure other agronomic and environmental requirements are met. This module provides students with the tools to manage soils optimally for organic production. Ultimately, they should be able to describe soil properties, evaluate soil fertility and assess management requirements in the context of organic farming.