Advanced Diploma In Agriculture - Alternative Agriculture

Course Code	VAG005
Fee Code	AD

COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 19 MODULES (ie. subjects) to be studied, all available by distance education.

Core Modules (12)

Module 1.  Animal Husbandry 1
A sound foundation course in the
anatomy and physiology of animals;
with particular relevance to domestic
animals (eg. Dogs, Cats, Horses,
Sheep, Cattle, Pigs, Poultry, etc).
There are eleven lessons:
1. Introduction, Cells & Tissues.
2. The Digestive System
3. The Circulatory System
4. The Urinary System
5. The Nervous System
6. Respiration
7. The Reproductive System
8. Muscles & Meat
9. The Skeleton
10. Animal Growth, Development and
the Endocrine system
11. Comparing Different Animals

Module 2.  Organic Plant Culture
This course shows you how to grow plants naturally,
developing a solid understanding of the principles
and procedures underlying the cultivation of plants
by natural methods, working with the environment
and without the use of artificial fertilisers or sprays.
There are ten lessons as follows:
1. Introduction -organic philosophy and techniques,
organic vs. other types of gardening, resources.
2. Plant Culture Techniques -Cultivating, hand
weeding, pruning, planting, etc.
3. Understanding Soils - Structure, pH, etc.
4. Fertilisers and Plant Nutrition.
5. Soil Management.
6. Pest & Disease - Identification, Natural vs.
chemical treatments, biological control,
companion plants, etc.
7. Mulching & Mulches
8. Seeds - Collecting, storing and sowing.
9. Vegetable Growing in your locality.
10.Fruit Growing in your locality.

Module 3.   Engineering I
An introductory subject which aims to develop an ability to
manage the selection, operation and maintenance of tools
and machinery, with particular reference to agriculture and
horticulture. Learn the use and operation of tools, equipment
and machines. There are eight lessons as follows:
1. Engine operation
2. Hydraulics
3. Machinery components
4. Hand Tools
5. Power tools
6. Tractors
7. Equipment maintenance
8. Specific Workplace requirements

Module 4.  Irrigation 
Learn to design, install and operate manual and automatic
irrigation systems for agricultural & horticultural situations. There
are ten lessons, plus one special project:
1. Introduction - The Value and Feasibility
of Irrigating, Understanding Soils and Water .
2. Soil Characteristics and Problems - pH,
Sodicity, Salinity, Physical features.
3. Estimating Plant Needs and Irrigation
Scheduling - Testing moisture, Root depth,
When to irrigate.
4. Drainage - Drainage systems.
5. Types of Irrigation Systems - Systems,
Travellers and Conventional.
6. Trickle Systems - Microjets, Maintenance.
7. Design Specifications
8. Pumps & Filters - Centrifugal, Axial Flow,
Mixed flow and Pistons.
9. Selecting the Right System for the Plant
- Flood, Sprinkler or Trickle irrigation.
10.Design and Operation of Systems

Module 5.  Soil Management
A general soil management course involving: Introduction to Soils;
Nutrition; Soil Physics; Chemistry; Testing; Problems; Land
Degradation; Soil Management in Farms; and Crops. The eight
lessons include a special project on soil management for a site of
your choosing.

Module 6.  Botany I
This short course is primarily an introduction to plant
physiology and taxonomy, with some general botany
including morphology and anatomy. It satisfies the learning
criteria of the Royal Horticulture Society's Module B of the
Advanced Certificate in Horticulture.
The ten lessons cover:
1. Taxonomic Classification of Plants
2. Cells and Tissues
3. Specific Vegetative Parts of a Plant
4. Flowers and Fruit
5. Seed and the Developing Embryo
6. Photosynthesis and Growing Plants
7. Respiration
8. The Role of Water
9. Movement of Water and Assimilates through a Plant
10. The Effects of Growth Movements

Module 7.  Farm Management
Learn to analyse, diagnose and make
decisions related to management of a farm
business. The course relates to managing
all resources, including: Production; Staff;
Physical Resources; and Natural Resources.
You learn strategic planning, whole farm
planning, and how to prepare a business plan.

Module 8.   Agricultural Marketing
Develops the ability to analyse and manage
marketing problems in an agricultural enterprise.
There are eight lessons covering:
*Marketing and Economic theories
*Target marketing
*Promotions techniques (including advertising)
*Handling (ie. transport and storage)
*Market Research methods
*Customer service

Module 9.  Biochemistry Animals OR Biochemistry Plants
Biochemistry is the chemistry of living things. This
introductory course concentrates on the chemistry of either animals or
plants.  Some secondary school chemistry will be helpful though it
is not essential. Lessons cover biochemical substances and
terms, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins,
metabolism, the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, respiration,
transpiration, acidity and alkalinity, nutrition, hormones,
chemical analysis and biochemical applications in the
industry.


Module 10.  Organic Farming
This course provides the student with a solid understanding of the
systems and management techniques of organic farming for both
crops and livestock. Field trips for research purposes are required.
Content includes:
1. Introduction to Organic Farming: scope, nature, history,
types (biodynamic, etc)
2. Organic Soil Management & Crop Nutrition
3. Systems: Rotation design, cash crops, managing waste
(eg. manure, slurry)
4. Weed Management
5. Pest and Disease Management
6. Livestock Management I
7. Livestock II
8. Pasture
9. Broad Acre Crops
10. Organic Certification, Politics, Environmental Concerns,
Marketing, PR

Module 11  Sustainable Agriculture
Eight lessons as follows:
1. Introduction: Scope and nature of sustainability
2. Soils
3. Water
4. Land Care: Weed control, tree management, pest and
disease, etc.
5. Financial Sustainability
6. Broad Management Strategies
7. Enterprise Selection and Management: Plants
8. Enterprise Selection and Management: Animals

Module 12.  Workplace Health and Safety
An important subject area applicable to all industries. This
course covers the following topics:
* Introduction to workplace health and safety,
procedures, duty of care
* Legislation
* Handling chemicals, including pesticides, cleaning
chemicals, explosives, petrol
* Handling equipment: tools and machinery
* Handling objects: lifting, manual handling
* Standards and rules: safety audits, codes of practice
* Signs and signals: communicating in the presence of
noise, eye problems, hazardous chemicals

Elective Modules (7)
Seven additional modules are chosen from: Animal Husbandry II, Animal Husbandry III, Animal Breeding, Plant Protection, Horse Care I, II & III, Aquaculture, Poultry, Pigs, Permaculture Systems, Advanced Permaculture, Sheep, Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle, Pasture Management, Fruit Production, Cut Flower Production (Other options will be offered over time).
Outlines of modules listed above are found elsewhere throughout this website.


2. WORKSHOPS
Two 100 hour PBL based modules.

3. Industry CONFERENCES or SEMINARS
You are required to attend conferences, seminars etc totalling 100 hrs.

4. RESEARCH PROJECTS  

You can view detailed outlines by clicking on each of the individual modules listed below:

Research Project 1

Research Project 11

Two projects (2 X 100 hrs), dealing with different aspects of the workplace.
at this link

Enrolment Fee does not include exam fees (x 21) and workshop fees.

Note: Fees cover all tuition and "essential" texts. This does not include fees for any Industry conferences or seminars or workshops which are attended.

Agriculture today is a highly competitive, global market. Many traditional forms of agriculture are sometimes difficult to operate competitively, particularly within developed countries, but even in the most competative economies, some agricultural enterprises still remain not only viable, but highly profitable. Success may be gained by value adding, or perhaps by filling a market niche not able to be readily filled by international or mass market competition. This is a very solid  training program for people wishing to work in alternative areas of agriculture at a technician or management level; in positions such as a farm manager, technical representatives, trainers or consultants.

This course is internationally accredited through I.A.R.C