Building Healthy Soils

This course is for those who would like a deeper understanding of the natural systems at work within the soil.

Welcome to the fascinating world of the soil food web; the microscopic world that forms soils and feeds and protects plants. During this course you will learn how to harvest micro-organisms from your local area and apply them to your soil whilst gaining an understanding of the plant socio-biome and how you can work to enhance your environment to allow these natural systems to thrive.

The course is a mix of theory and practical in which you will gain the skills and knowledge to further enhance their gardening/farming systems. This will lead to lower inputs, higher yields and a more engaged, wholistic understanding of the amazing natural systems that we can work with to produce delicious healthy food.

What you will learn

• The soil food web
• Organic food production
• Pest and disease management

Entry Requirements

• There are no formal entry requirements for this skill set.
• Learners must not have successfully completed more than one unit of competency attached to this course listed under Units of Study Required for this Skill Set

Desirable Requirements

• It is recommended that learners are able to work physically in a range of outdoor conditions (sun, rain, wind) for extended periods of time. It is also recommended that learners should be able to squat, kneel, bend, lift and carry loads, dig, shovel and weed.

Course Duration & Hours

• Classes are delivered face to face
• 8 days of classroom and onsite learning 9.30am - 3.30pm per week
• Delivery location: Mullumbimby campus and Mullumbimby Community Gardens

Course Fees

Fees are fully subsidised for eligible students, a resource fee applies to all enrolments.

• ACE Program Fee: $0* (plus resource fee of $120) - most NSW residents are eligible for this subsidised fee!
• Full Fee: $250 (plus resource fee of $120)

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government. 

*Student eligibility for ACE Program fee

To be eligible for government subsidised training through the ACE Program, you must:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or humanitarian visa holder, or a New Zealand; and
• Live or work in New South Wales; and
• Be aged 15 years or older;
• No longer be at school or equivalent; and
• Provide the College with your USI at the time of enrolment (admin staff can assist you in obtaining a USI); and
• Have not successfully completed the units listed under '**Assessments are made against units of competency' for this course.** Refer to the top of this page.

For more information or to find out if your are eligible for the $0 fee call our office on 02 6684 3374.

What to bring

• Pen and paper
• Own lunch and refreshments
• Students must have enclosed shoes and a brimmed hat
• Long sleeve shirt and long pants
• Sunglasses and gloves

USI

From the 1st of January 2015, any student enrolling in an Accredited Training course will be required to obtain a USI. The USI helps to keep your training records and results together in an online account which is controlled by you. You can logon to the "USI website":http://usi.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx and follow the simple instructions online to create your USI. This then needs to be provided to the College at the time of enrolment.

Important Information

Once your enrolment is completed you will receive a confirmation email. This email will be your receipt and inform you of the dates, time and venue of your course, it will also let you know of anything you need to take to class with you. Please make sure that you give us a valid email address and mobile number as any course changes will be communicated via sms or email.

Click here to read our Refund Policy