Study urban and city farming

Clearly urban farming is different in many ways to the broad acre farming in rural area. Land costs more so you do need to consider how to grow more in less space, but with the technology, knowledge and tools that we now have, it is surprising what can be done. Additionally, urban farming brings the produce close to the market. That means the time and cost of transporting food is less, and the people who buy it can have much greater access to fresher food.

You will learn about strategies, technologies and choosing what you actually grow, in order to optimise productivity on small urban farms. 

COURSE CONTENTS

This course is spread across 8 lessons as follows:

1.  Scope & Nature of Urban Farming

• Introduction - Why this matters 
• What is Urban Farming
• Who is an urban farmer? 
• Motivating Concerns: Environmental, Food Security and Waste, Sustainability, 
• Motivating Benefits: Profitability, Nutrition and Opportunities
• Urban Farm Concepts 
• Further Factors in Concept Planning (Organics and Security) 
• Diversification of Urban Farming 
• Example 1 Plant and Animal Tissue Culture
• Example 2 Urban Foraging
  
  

2. What & Where to Farm

• Choose wisely 
• What to Farm? 
• Geographic location 
• Local climate
• Available space 
• Infrastructure Access 
• Community/Social Demographics 
• Restrictions on What Can be Farmed 
• Permits/Licences
• Farming Animals 
• Farming Plants 
• Time to Harvest 
• Where to Farm? 
• Evaluating Sites 
• Indoor Sites: Factories, Warehouses, Greenhouses, Vacant Buildings 
• Outdoor Site: Rooftops, Parks, Community Gardens, Urban Land 
• Space Considerations
  
  

3. Urban Farming Technologies

• Introduction
• Urban Farm Technologies 
• Protected Environments
• Growth Cabinets
• Cloches, Greenhouses and Florida Rooms 
• Hydroponics
• Aquaponics 
• Aquaculture
• Vertical Farming 
• Multi-storey Farming
• Diversified Production Systems
• Single Product Production Systems 
• Emerging Technologies 
• IoT, Automation, AI, Robotics, Blockchain, Nanotech
  
  

4. Starting Up & Managing an Urban Farm

• Introduction
• Initial Considerations
• Assessing Risks
• Potential Risks
• Legal Considerations 
• Safe Waste Disposal 
• Forecasting and Preparation 
• Analysing Costs and Benefits 
• Acquisitions and Launching 
• Acquire the Site
• Property Setup and Staff Training
• Launching the Business
• Growing the Business
  
  

5. Animal Farming Systems

• Changing Farms 
• Intensive Animal Farming 
• Challenges of Urban Farming 
• The Physical Environment
• Ethics
• Services and Resources Access 
• Biosecurity and Health
• Security of Animals 
• Animal Production Systems
• Free Range, High Density and Bottomless Pens 
• How to Increase Productivity
• Pasture Intensification, Livestock Selection, Animal Feed 
• Choosing High Value Farm Activities 
• Integration of Urban Farming into Town Planning 
• Case Studies: Aquaculture, Poultry and Dairy Farms 
  
  

6. Plant Farming Systems

• Introduction to Plant Farming
• Challenges of Urban Plant Farming 
• The Physical Environment 
• Services and Resources Access 
• Biosecurity & Health
• In-Ground Growing 
• Containers 
• Soil Improvement 
• Roof-top Growing Systems
• Adaptations for Indoor Systems 
• Vertical Growing Systems
• Soil-less Crop Production Systems 
• Vertical Farming 
• Aeroponics
• Propagation Techniques
• Harvesting Techniques
• How to Increase Productivity
• Storage of Produce Pre-market
  
  

7. Value Adding

• Model of Business for Viability 
• Retail Services 
• Selling to Restaurants 
• Growing More in Small Spaces 
• Farmers Markets 
• Farm Tourism & Education Services 
• Marketing at Events
• Volunteers, Grants and Skills Training
• Preserving & Processing Produce 
• Producing Animal Feed
• Manufacturing Produce and Other Goods
  
  

8. Problem-Based Learning Project – Planning an Urban Farm 

• Plan establishment or ongoing improved operation of an urban farm.

Aims: 

• Discuss what urban farming is and types of urban farmer.
• Determine the options and requirements for viable urban farming.
• Distinguish technologies used to grow plants or animals in urban farming.
• Examine the processes undertaken when establishing an urban farming initiative. 
• Describe general operations of different animal farming systems.
• Describe general operations of different plant farming systems.
• Develop added value to increase the economic viability of an urban farm.
• Plan for the establishment or ongoing improved operation of an urban farm. 

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE BEHIND THIS COURSE?

This course has been developed by a team of experts. The same people provide support to students throughout their studies. Some of those involved include:

John Mason 

Since graduating in horticulture in 1971, he has worked in various sectors of agriculture and horticulture.He has written many books and articles including "Sustainable Agriculture" (Landlinks Press), Farm Management (Kangaroo Press) and Starting a Nursery or Herb Farm (Night Owl/Grass Roots)

Dr Lyn Morgan

World renowned hydroponic farming expert, based in New Zealand, has been writing hydroponic books and providing consultancy services to farms from the Americas to the Middle East since the 1990's.

Dr Kerry Claydon

Microbiologist and agricultural scientist, decades of experience, former research scientist with CSIRO, continuing her career as a freelance consultant based in Queensland.

Dr. Gareth Pearce 

Veterinary scientist and university professor, based in the U.K, with decades of experience in animal sciences

Have questions? Click here to email our course counsellors.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Reputation: well-known and respected.

Industry focus: courses designed to suit industry needs and expectations.

Different focus: develop problem solving skills that make you stand out from others.

Hands-on: develop practical as well as theoretical skills.

Lots of help: dedicated and knowledgeable tutors.

Efficient: prompt responses to your questions.

A long track record: established in 1979 with a solid history.

Up to date: courses under constant review.

Resources:  huge wealth of constantly developing intellectual property.

Value: courses compare very favourably on a cost per study hour basis.

Student amenities: online student room, bookshop, ebooks.