This is an assessed Foundation Degree (FdSc) Unit validated by the University of Ulster, and delivered totally on-line.

The Unit is aimed at people who want to:

• Understand the concepts of organic production
• Learn about organic growing methods
• Grow more sustainably
• Understand the organic sector and organic certification

NOTE: Because this Unit uses practical exercises and requires application of local knowledge, applicants should live in a place where the climate is similar to that in the UK or Ireland.

Delivery method and venue

As the Unit is being delivered totally on-line students will require access to a computer with internet access and email, plus software to work with Microsoft Word documents and read PDF files.

The unit will be:

• Delivered from late January to end of April 2011 (Provisional)
• Interactive
• Accessed using CAFRE’s ‘Blackboard’ virtual learning environment.

There will be no timetable, though the course will maintain a weekly routine with practical activities and assessments to be completed or submitted to a schedule.

The Unit content will include:

• Organic production in the UK
• Consumers’ interests in organic food production
• Organic standards, certification and conversion
• Integrated, soil-based systems approach
• Soil management and fertility
• Plant nutrition and plant protection methods
• Sustainability and environmental protection
• Adoption of appropriate technology

Closing date for applications

7 January 2011

Note:

There are a limited number of places on the course, and these will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. A reserve list will be retained in case of cancelations

Full guidance will be given on how to access the course.

Downloadable application forms in Word or PDF format will be available in mid-September 2010.

Adrian Saunders unit co-ordinator discusses with Claire Woods senior lecturer, and past students Taina Suonio and Alison Piggott the on-line Organic Horticulture module at CAFRE.