This 7-week course is delivered 1-day a week and covers the theory and practical aspects of managing agricultural land for the benefit of our natural habitats.

Topics covered within this part time course include:

•              Woodland and hedgerow management

•              Improving and managing agricultural habitats

•              Havens for wildlife and maintaining, and improving, buffer zones

•              Habitat management for crop and livestock protection

•              Wildlife ecology and conservation management

•              Surveying, assessing, and planning improvements

•              Implementing new managing strategies

Also known as Conservation Agriculture, this 7-week course is delivered 1-day a week and covers the theory and practical aspects of managing agricultural land for the benefit of crop yield and biodiversity improvements.

Set around the three core principles of the European Conservation Agriculture Federation, this course offers the foundations for career changers that wish to balance agriculture with conservation of our resources for the future.

Core Principles:

1.         Use of crop rotations with a diversity of crop species

2.         Minimal soil disturbance

3.         Maintenance of permanent soil cover

Topics covered within this part time course include:

•           Exploring historical and current land management techniques

•           Benefits of minimal tillage, use of ground cover and use of diverse crop rotations

•           Natural weed and pest deterrents

•           Planting plans for the benefit of improved biodiversity and crop yield

•           Soil management, health, and biology

•           Plant Science

•           Water management

The 'Introduction to the Rural Economy' short course is an exciting opportunity for those in the rural land and business sector to upskill their existing knowledge, or for those interested in learning more about the rural economy before embarking on a full degree course in either sustainable agriculture or rural land management.