Organic Farming

The organic food and farming sector within Europe is continuing to develop in response to a growing market, and continued policy support. The sector requires well-trained individuals with technical and management skills to meet these challenges. There continues to be career opportunities for those wanting to work as practitioners, promoters and facilitators within the sector. The programme focuses on organic farming in temperate European climate situations and aims to build on to the existing expertise and aspirations of programme members, allowing them to develop in their career and making them suitable for employment as practitioners, promoters and facilitators of organic practices. It provides high level learning to enable students with a variety of academic and working experience to gain a fast-track understanding of the key technical production, marketing and management aspects of organic farming and food. The programme is offered on a part time distance learning basis to allow those in continuing employment or with other commitments to participate.Aims and Objectives The programme has the primary overarching aim of providing graduates with the skills and high level expertise to take the Organic Farming sector forward. It focuses on organic farming in temperate situations and aims to build on to the existing expertise and aspirations of programme members making them suitable for employment as practitioners, promoters, facilitators and researchers of organic farming production and marketing systems. Its specific objectives will be to provide candidates with:• An ability to critically appraise organic farming both as an agricultural system and in a wider context• A good understanding of the organic sector • A sound knowledge of the science underpinning organic farming• A clear understanding of marketing, financial and audit requirements for organic produce• Work placement experience • Research skills (in particular MSc. graduates)