1. Modules in Sustainable Agricultural Management
with an emphasis on biodynamic and organic practice
develop professionally - deepen understanding - gain qualifications
“Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labour of man.
When tillage begins, other arts will follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of
civilization” - Daniel Webster
Emerson College is offering a unique
opportunity for people wanting to develop
their practice in sustainable agriculture to
study and work intensively with
biodynamic and organic principles and
practice. The course is designed to help
students develop and deepen previous
knowledge and/or experience in
sustainable agriculture through the
integration of seminars delivered by
subject specialists, guided land-based
research projects and self-directed study.
Sustainable food production is
one of the central challenges of
our time. Meeting the need of a
growing global population for
food, while coping with the
pressures of climate change,
increasing demands for land
use and the urgency of a
responsible relationship to the
land requires a response that
encompasses environmental, social and
practical aspects. To support students in
working towards this aim Emerson
College has developed a new training with
a focus on developing and deepening
sustainable agricultural practice.
Collaborative work and enquiry is at the
heart of the course, which will engage
practically with the gardens and grounds
of Emerson College as well as with
neighbouring farms and
agricultural initiatives.
This training has been
structured to develop all the
knowledge, understanding and
skills necessary for a learner to
develop and manage a
sustainable land-based
enterprise.

2. Development Pathway
D e v e l o p m e n t
Pathway allows
learners to access
any of the
modules that form
part of the above
certified course
and design an
individual learning plan with a mentor to
suit their own personal and professional
development needs whilst working and
living else were.
The complete set of modules lead to a
diploma in Sustainable farm management.
Curriculum subjects
• Historical context and principles of
sustainable, organic and
biodynamic agriculture
• The farm as an organism – a way of
understanding and structuring
sustainability
• Core subjects: chemistry, soils,
plants, animals, astronomy,
biodynamic preparations and social
aspects of agriculture
• Sustainable management practice –
environmental, economic and social
• Applied phenomenology
• Research in agriculture –
quantitative, qualitative and
integrative
• Social entrepreneurship and
leadership skills
• Land-based research projects
• Sustainable Soil Management
• Sustainable Crop and Forage
Production
• Sustainable Animal
Husbandry
• Principles and Practice
of Entrepreneurship
• Agricultural Research
in Practice
• Sustainable
Management in
Agriculture
• Whole Farm Organism
Management (final
project)
Modules timings
(anticipated start September 2015)
Each module is delivered within one week,
Mon-Fri. Always two modules will be
delivered within a two week block at
Emerson. Two blocks/four modules will
be delivered Sep-Nov. The next two
block/four modules will be Feb-May and
so on. Home work before each module,
research study and following assignments
are required.
Entry Requirements
The Development Pathway is open to
those with previous substantial
experience in biodynamic, organic or
sustainable agriculture. Evidence of
relevant life experience and skills will
need to be provided or a Level 3
qualification in agriculture or a related
field. Access to Land for land based
research
Faculty
The faculty for this course include
practicing farmers with decades of
experience, teachers who have been
teaching in the field for many years and
professionals who are subject specialists.
This is a collaborative effort with faculty
drawn from Emerson College, Crossfields
Institute, the Biodynamic Association and
Demeter Certification UK.
Social entrepreneurship and leadership
skills are crucial for practitioners
engaging in sustainable agricultural
management, and the development of
these skills are enabled through
collaborative process, presentations and
individual mentoring.
Pixton, Hartfield Road, Forest Row,
East Sussex, RH18 5JX, England
www.emerson.org.uk
tel: +44 (0)1342 822 238
email: registrar@emerson.org.uk