Program Overview

Program Overview

The Supporting Farm Practice Change micro-credential is designed to equip agricultural practitioners with the skills and knowledge to drive sustainable and innovative changes to farm practices. This 11-week online course provides a comprehensive understanding of change management in agricultural contexts.

Course Details

• Duration: 11 weeks
• Location: Online
• Fees: $990.00 AUD (inc GST)
• Study mode: Online
• Total time commitment: approximately 40 hours

What You Will Learn

This micro-credential focuses on developing contemporary skills and knowledge for agricultural professionals. Key areas of study include:

• Delivery strategies for farm practice change
• Analysis of success and risk factors in change management contexts
• Formulation of a proposal for farm practice change, justifying recommendations for adopting certain strategies

Who You Will Learn From

The course is taught by leading experts, including Professor Ruth Nettle, Professor in Agriculture and Food, and Head of Rural Innovation Research Group (RIRG). Professor Nettle's research interests include rural workforce development, the role of extension in rural change, and farming systems change.

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for this course, participants must have:

• Completed the first micro-credential in the Agricultural Extension series: People and Change in Agriculture
• An undergraduate degree in agricultural or a related field (e.g., natural resource management, science)
• Alternatively, two years of work experience in agricultural science, natural resource management, or associated fields

Skills and Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will have a deeper understanding of how to drive farm practice change. Key skills and learning outcomes include:

• Understanding delivery strategies for farm practice change and their interactions
• Providing expert analysis of strategies and relevant success and risk factors for a specified farm practice change
• Applying strategies to a variety of farm change contexts

Workload and Assessment

The course runs over 11 weeks, with a total time commitment of approximately 40 hours, including:

• 7 hours guided learning
• 20 hours independent study
• 13 hours assessment tasks Assessment includes a delivery strategies peer interview (30%) and a farm practice change proposal (70%).

Digital Certificate

Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded a Supporting Farm Practice Change micro-credential digital certificate, which warrants the achievement of knowledge, skills, and capabilities outlined in the learning outcomes.

Pathways to Further Study

This micro-credential is part of the Agricultural Extension series, designed to be taken sequentially. It also offers a pathway into the Master of Agricultural Sciences, providing advanced standing upon completion of all four micro-credentials in the series.

Learning Experience

The course is delivered in an innovative online environment, where participants learn alongside industry professionals and are guided by leading practitioners. The learning experience includes reviewing relevant case studies, theories, and frameworks, and engaging in exploratory discussions with peers in the online forum.