A new agri-education course to train farmers and land managers in sustainable land management legislation and best practice to increase biodiversity while protecting farm yields has launched in the UK.
The Principles of Sustainable Land Management (PSLM) from Basis will teach farmers and growers how to promote biodiversity, enhance the environment and support profitable land use.
The low-cost interactive, online training has been designed to further farmers’ knowledge of integrated farming practices whilst boosting productivity and improving farm management to support habitat protection.
“We have created the PSLM course in close consultation with the industry to enable livestock, arable and horticultural farmers to maximise their farm’s environmental potential, while maintaining productivity,” Basis’ head of environment, audit and public affairs, Teresa Meadows, said.
“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.
“It’s designed with everyone in mind as integrated farming practices need to be widely adopted. The course can be completed in your own time and in stages, and it’s all hosted online through a combination of interactive learning and assessment.”
Participants complete the course through an interactive self-guided online programme and will see real-world case studies of leading biodiversity work in action.
The course covers the following concepts to better understanding of the economics of funded options as well as further farmers’ technical and practical knowledge:
- sustainable farm and environmental land management policy;
- farmland wildlife and habitat management;
- soil and water management;
- nutrient management; and
- grassland and historic features management.
The online course is available now on Basis Classroom and costs £195+VAT. The course is suitable for anyone including those without prior experience of land management or without existing qualifications.
