New online course offers training in sustainable land management
21st October 2022
A new course offering sustainability training for farmers and land managers has recently launched in the UK and covers how to integrate biodiversity into farming practices while protecting yield.
The ‘Principles of Sustainable Land Management’ (PSLM) course from BASIS offers low-cost, interactive online training that teaches farmers and growers how to unleash their farms’ environmental potential and maintain profitable land use.
Participants will expand their knowledge of integrated farming practices that boost productivity and learn enhanced farm management strategies to support habitat protection.
Hosting organisation BASIS, a registered charity, offers training via virtual classrooms alongside qualifications, CPD opportunities, and auditing schemes.
Teresa Meadows, head of environment, audit and public affairs at BASIS, commented:
“We have created the ‘Principles of Sustainable Land Management’ course in close consultation with the industry to enable livestock, arable and horticultural farmers to maximise their farm’s environmental potential, whilst maintaining productivity.
“Given the ongoing changes in agricultural policy, this is an opportunity for farmers to learn more about practices for a sustainable farming business. There are many benefits to doing so, including saving on input costs, improving soil health and working towards net-zero carbon targets.”
Ms Meadows said participants will progress through a combination of interactive learning and assessment and can complete the course in their own time. They will also see real-world examples of leading biodiversity work in action to gain a better understanding of the benefits integrated practices bring to farming.
Given the current pressures farmers are under, the course is highly relevant to anyone wishing to take advantage of the government’s environmental schemes. It aims to further farmers’ technical and practical knowledge by covering the following concepts:
- Sustainable farm and environmental land management policy
- Farmland wildlife and habitat management
- Soil and water management
- Nutrient management
- Grassland and historic features management.
Feedback from the course’s early participants has so far been positive, with the real-world case studies and insight into changing government policy highlighted as particularly useful.
One participant said: “The way that it explains about sustainable farming is brilliant and I particularly enjoyed the information from real people and industry links, for example the explanation on changes to the Basic Payment Scheme.”
Another added: “It was a good benchmark to understand the changes and provide a roadmap, clearly demonstrating that small tweaks pay you dividends for the business, environmental compliance, production, yield and soil fertility – the course shows it is all interlinked.”
The PSLM course is now available on BASIS Classroom and costs £195 +VAT. No prior experience or qualifications are necessary to take part in the course.
Those interested can sign up to the course here. For more information, visit the BASIS website at www.basis-reg.co.uk.
