Postgraduate Diploma 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.

Worthwhile and relevant experience in industry is regarded as a desirable component of this degree. This module will allow students to focus on an existing or proposed organisation or business in the organic food and farming sector during a 6-week (or equivalent) work placement. The student will gather data, carry out a technical and business analysis and make recommendations which may be for an organic conversion, a new start or proposals for future development of an aspect of an existing organisation or business. The material will also be used in class discussion and to contribute to group learning.

This module will enable students to understand the business environment of the organic sector at the farm level and beyond. It will enable students to interpret financial accounts and aid the process of financial planning and control, and will provide an understanding of the concepts, principles and techniques involved in marketing management and how they are applied in the context of the organic farming sector.

This module will explore contemporary issues relevant to organic farming and its relationship with wider society. It will develop a broader understanding and build on existing knowledge while developing critical evaluation skills for complex issues and how they relate to each other. The module may include topics such as the public goods and social capital delivered by organic farming; food quality and safety; the principles of environmental management in the context of organic agriculture; carbon management; the global context of organic farming; novel techniques; agroforestry and perennial crops. It will stress the multidisciplinary nature of such issues and the importance of an ability to present a balanced argument.

This module will develop the student’s ability to undertake whole farm analysis and in particular organic conversion planning. Whole farm analysis involves a range of skills and examination of a wide range of issues: technical, financial, marketing and environmental. This module will require the student to integrate the knowledge gained in other modules to provide an evaluation and plan for the conversion to organic production of an actual farm example.