This unit introduces the concepts and methodologies of regenerative land based systems, why they are needed to offset climate change and how to evaluate their impact. In a time of climate change, biodiversity loss and the need to produce healthy food, regenerative food systems are able to meet these challenges. Regenerative systems are a complex set of farming and land based methodologies. In this unit, learners will be introduced to the breadth of these methods and how the impact of them can be assessed in a land based business.

This unit introduces learners to soil science concepts and practice, including the carbon cycle and soil biome as key components of regenerative land based systems. Learners will be introduced to recent changes in the understanding of soil science, to include soil ecology and the carbon cycle. They will understand how to manage soil to mitigate and adapt to climate change. They will understand the importance of soil science as a key concept in how to manage land in regenerative systems.

This unit introduces learners to the science and ecology of plant and crop growth, which are key components underpinning the management of regenerative land based systems. Learners will understand that regenerative cropping systems are based on ecology, the carbon cycle, and a deep understanding of a reciprocal and circular model of food production. Learners will be introduced to these concepts in the context of crop production and how they can be managed to produce food.

This unit introduces learners to the science, nutrition and behavioural aspects of holistic livestock management in regenerative land systems. Learners will understand how livestock can be incorporated into regenerative systems, to improve the soil ecology and biodiversity. Learners will understand how livestock can be managed to reduce their carbon footprint, and to fit into complex carbon and nutrient cycles, and how to maximise their health and welfare in a land based system. The unit will include apiculture and functional biodiversity on a system.

This unit introduces learners to the principles and ethics of Permaculture. Learners will be introduced to the origins and principles of Permaculture as a design methodology for designing sustainable land and non-land based systems. Learners will understand how Permaculture is part of a toolkit that can be used for creating regenerative land based systems. Learners will develop an understanding of how Permaculture design practice, ethics and principles are applied to the built environment as well as develop a range of personal and interpersonal skills that inform how they can use these skills in ethical and regenerative systems. This unit leads to a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) qualification awarded by the Permaculture Association alongside the Level 3 qualification.

Discover how Nature and regenerative farming helps heal us not just physically, and how you can provide more than just food from your land.

In this unit, learners will be introduced to the concepts and types of agroforestry systems and their use in regenerative land based systems. Learners will explore how trees are incorporated into the farmed landscape as silvo-arable, silvo-pastoral and silvo-horticulture systems, as well as food forests. They will identify suitable tree species for different soils and sites, and understand the benefits and challenges of using trees in a farmed landscape. They will understand how to design effective agroforestry system for a farm.

In this unit, learners will be introduced to provide an introduction to simple business planning methods, business structures and community supported agriculture systems. Learners will explore how regenerative land based systems aim to re-localise sales and shorten the supply chain, and the methods of achieving this. Learners will understand that businesses need to be economically regenerative, pay fair wages, and to become financially sustainable in the long term. Learners will be able to explore how to model business “for purpose” rather than profit.

Numbers are not enough for success; you will also learn how to plan the long term future, funding and running of your land-based business.

In this unit, learners will be introduced to the principles and practices of Biodynamic farming systems. Learners will explore how Biodynamic farming was the first ecological farming system to arise. They will also understand how it offers a unique approach to farming and food systems. Learners will gain an overview of this system, its principles and practices and its codification, and how it differs from organic systems.

In this unit, learners will be introduced to all aspects of water including water cycles and the management and usage of water as part of a whole farm approach. Learners will explore how healthy water management can provide balance in the storing and use of water. They will understand how many traditional ways to hold the water in the landscape that were practiced indigenously all over the world are being rediscovered and redeployed within a modern understanding of geology and the water dynamics of climate and farming. Learners will understand how to apply water management principles it in the context of a farm.

In this unit, learners will understand how the quality of food from a regenerative system differs from the quality of food from and industrial food system. Learners will understand how sourcing food from a regenerative system affects consumer health in relation to increasing the range and amount of fresh fruit and vegetables they eat. They will explore how Industrial foods are often are lower in nutrient levels and secondary metabolites as they contain pesticides, and high levels of nitrates, both of which impact human health. Learners will also explore the complex issues of food poverty in regenerative systems.

Students spend four days per week on their host farm, learning directly on the land. They write a learning log of their time, as well as have a chance of applying what they have learned on the course directly with the guidance and support of their hosts.