About this course: The Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050 Course is based on a clear vision: imagine best practice farming for 2050, start to implement these strategies now, all the while making sure it will still be profitable. At UWA we're doing just that with the Future Farm 2050 Project, set on a mixed-enterprise farm in Western Australia and we want you to learn how it can be done in your part of the world. Although this course is based on agriculture, it's not only about farming. It is a multi-disciplinary course that addresses a wide range of issues confronting the industry, including rural communities, rural infrastructure and conservation of biodiversity in agriculture. By completing this course you will understand that feeding and clothing the planet requires a multi-disciplinary approach and upon completion you will be able to explain best practices of sustainable farming and apply them in new contexts.
Who is this class for: This course is for anyone who is interested in learning about how we are going to feed 50% more people without destroying the planet.
Created by: University of Western Australia
Taught by: Graeme Martin, Professor
School of Agriculture and Environment
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 7 weeks of study, 1-2 hours per week |
| Language | English |
| Hardware Req | Nil |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction to the Course
Welcome to "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". In this first week you'll be introduced to the UWA Future Farm 2050 Project, an initiative by UWA in agricultural R&D and regional engagement. The project is centred on agriculture but you'll discover that feeding the world needs a mutli-disciplinary approach, and there are a wide range of issues confronting the agricultural industry which must be addressed if we are to cope with population projections for 2050.
3 videos, 1 reading
- Video: 360 Farm Tour
- Video: Introduction to Ridgefield Farm Manager - Mr Steven Wainewright
- Reading: The 'UWA Future Farm 2050' Project - testing multidisciplinary options for future food production systems
Graded: Introduction to Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050
WEEK 2
Water and Soils
Welcome to the second week of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you will gain an understanding into the importance of soil and water and its careful management.
4 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Asst/Professor Matthias Leopold: Soils
- Video: Interview with Emeritus Professor Lynette Abbott
- Reading: Optional Readings: Soil
- Video: Dr Matt Hipsey: Water
- Reading: Optional Readings: Water
Graded: Week 2: Soils
Graded: Week 2: Water
WEEK 3
Ecological Cropping
Welcome to Week 3 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to Ecological Cropping, and more specifically weed management and plant breeding. Effective weed management strategies, in a changing environment with increasing resistance to herbicides, has become increasingly important for crop management. In addition to these management strategies, successful cropping also depends on high yielding varieties, tolerant to a changing environment.
6 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Professor Stephen Powles: Cropping and Weed Management
- Video: Interview with Dr Ken Flower
- Video: Interview with Wheatbelt Farmer Shauna Stone
- Video: Professor Wallace Cowling: Plant Breeding
- Video: 360 Wheat Crop Harvest
- Reading: Optional Readings: Ecological Cropping
Graded: Week 2: Ecological Cropping
WEEK 4
Versatile Livestock Systems
Welcome to Week 4 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to Versatile Livestock Systems. You'll learn about the about the principles of "Clean, Green and Ethical" livestock management. This is the driving livestock management principle of the Future Farm 2050 Project. You'll also understand the risks associated with livestock production in drylands, working towards versatile systems and managing the relationship between animals and the environment.
2 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Professor Philip Vercoe: Versatile Livestock Systems
- Reading: Optional Readings: Versatile Livestock Systems
Graded: Versatile Livestock Systems
WEEK 5
Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture
Welcome to Week 5 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture. You will learn about biodiversity hotpots, the impacts of clearing land for agriculture and our reliance of healthy ecosystems (ecosystems services) for survival. You will also learn about site and re vegetation planning and the integration of biodiversity into farming systems.
2 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Ms Anne Smith: Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture
- Reading: Optional Reading: Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture
Graded: Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture
WEEK 6
People and Infrastructure
Welcome to Week 6 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to the importance of People and Infrastructure for sustainable agriculture. People in regional areas face many different challenges to those residing in urban areas. The changing environment has further increased these challenges. In addition, infrastructure in regional areas is expensive to build and often not "Fit for Purpose"
4 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Welcome to Country with Noongar Elder Gary Bennell
- Video: Dr Susan Bailey: People
- Reading: Optional Reading: People
- Video: Mr Patrick Beale: Rural Infrastructure
- Reading: Optional Reading: Infrastructure
Graded: 6. People
Graded: 6. Infrastructure
WEEK 7
CONCLUSION OF COURSE
Congratulations! You've reached the end of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050"
1 video
Graded: Final Assessment
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
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Creators
University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia (UWA) was established in 1911 and continues to set the standard for other West Australian universities. Staff, students and graduates from the University have been recognised at state, national and international levels, and UWA continues to confirm its standing as one of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. UWA's leaders and researchers work in partnership with three domestic and international networks, the Group of Eight, Matariki and the Worldwide Universities Network.
Ratings and Reviews
This course was excellent, and I enjoyed learning about sustaining our future through farming.
Very nice review of current agricultural practices for achieving sustainability in the near future.
fascinating course. Farming in Australia is somewhat similar to anywhere else except Australia has different species. Although you can learn the same course content on any Farmland. Farming for future generations is a big issue right now for every country.
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Valuable information, could be better presented and a little bid more summarized so the essential information is given more weight. Thank you for these course, thank you for sharing knowledge around the world.