A Veterinary Approach to Sustainable Food and Farming - May 2025 PART 3
Created by Vet Sustain in conjunction with VetSalus
Course Overview
This course explores farming systems of the world, focusing on better and efficient farming practices, the principles of sustainable and regenerative farming and how we as veterinary professionals can drive behavioural change. With these tools you will be in an ideal position to help develop the sustainable food and farming system we need to meet the nutritional needs of our growing population, combat climate change, regenerate ecosystems, secure rural livelihoods and safeguard animal welfare.
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Sustainability course designed for veterinarians and paraprofessionals working with production animals
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Self-Paced Online Learning Course
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Designed to fit around busy work and life schedules
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Explore the principles of sustainable and regenerative farming
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Create a plan to support your clients in transitioning to a more sustainable way of farming
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Equivalent to 35 hours of CPD
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Attain a LANTRA accredited certificate
Curriculum
During this course you will study:
Learning Objectives
- Understand the basic principles of why people behave as they do, and what can be done to drive practice change.
- Define some of the basic scientific concepts behind human behaviour change.
- Suggest suitable interventions and tools in order to influence certain behaviours, particularly in the context of the veterinary and farming sectors.
- Construct a plan for participatory herd health planning alongside farming clients.
Learning Objectives
- Consider the outcomes we need to see in the world for a sustainable future, and how businesses may help to deliver these outcomes.
- Define the basic concepts and principles behind sustainable and regenerative businesses.
- Appreciate how a business may apply existing systems and certification schemes to deliver social and environmental impact.
- Understand how a veterinary business may review its own systems and structures in order to integrate regenerative principles in to its business plan.
The course experience has been excellent!
I like the module system, the 'deep dives' and variety of course material, quizzes etc. Have enjoyed the forum/WhatsApp chats and the Zoom meetings too.
It's definitely living up to expectations!
I am thoroughly enjoying the course so far and am really pleased to be doing the training. I have been interested in food systems for a long time and have been waiting for some CPD that really covered this fast moving and complex area. It's definitely living up to expectations!
I found it challenging, enlightening and above all, motivating.
A fascinating, in-depth exploration of sustainable food production and the role practitioners hold in shaping our farming practices, both current and future.
I found it challenging, enlightening and above all, motivating. It enables us as farm advisors to guide clients through the many changing expectations (and opportunities) within agriculture.
This course is opening my eyes to the impacts that we can each make.
This course is opening my eyes to the impacts that we can each make as individuals, as well as the simple conversations we can have to drive sustainability in practice/on farm. It has also helped me to understand the broader impacts of climate change that are further reaching globally which has been interesting.
It was a really interesting course.
It was a really interesting course and already proven useful in day to day practice.
Free Preview
Take a look at the course content in more detail with our free preview.
Accreditation
We are proud to be supported by LANTRA who have accredited the course and will provide certification to all course completers. The course is also accredited by the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
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PRE ORDER
Pre-Registration Now Open
We are accepting registration for our next cohort which will commence on 6th May 2025.
- Limited Spaces
- Learning Begins May 2025
- 35 hours of CPD
Registration Options
Unable to enrol on the full course in one go?
For the first time we have broken the course down into three bitesize blocks, to allow learners to spread the cost and time to complete the course. Only by completing all three blocks including the final assignment will learners be LANTRA certified.
Please note: when purchasing the cost as a whole you will save 10% compared to signing up in three blocks.
Sustainability in Food and Farming
Enrol now for £500 +VAT
Sustainable Farming Methods
Enrol now for £375 +VAT
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Enacting Change in Veterinary Practice
Enrol now for £375 +VAT
Pricing
Pricing Options
Not from the UK? No Problem!
Participants are able to purchase the course in a range of local currencies; if your currency is not listed please email us [email protected]. Overseas businesses are eligible to purchase the course exclusive of VAT (upon providing valid registration business details).
We strongly advise enrolling on all 3 course blocks, which provides a 10% discount when compared to purchasing each block individually.
Meet Your Course Facilitators
Mia Ellis BSc BVetMed MSc MRCVS
Mia Ellis has been a farm vet at Westpoint Farm Vets in Chelmsford since 2019, during this time she has completed a masters in Sustainable Farming and Food Security from RAU, Vet Sustain and Vet Salus’s certificate in ‘A Veterinary Approach to Sustainable Food and Farming’, and is close to completion on a CertAVP (Bovine) from the University of Liverpool. Mia manages an agroecological farm with her husband, where they raise organic beef cattle focusing on native breeds and building ecology.
What Participants Can Expect From The Course
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Discussion Forums
Students will have the opportunity to join and interact with a community of like minded veterinary professionals taking the course at the same time
Online Tutorials
Option to attend live (and recorded) online tutorials during the course to consolidate the learning materia and participate in discussions
LANTRA Certificate
Upon completion of the course and submission of an assignment (max 2500 words), successful students will receive a LANTRA accredited certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
The course is aimed at veterinarians and those working in vet-led businesses, and whilst there are no specific requirements, all students are expected to have undertaken an undergraduate degree, technical qualification as a paraprofessional, or a relevant diploma. If you are unsure please contact us before you enrol on the course.
The course has been developed to provide flexible online learning for busy farm veterinary professionals, equivalent to 35 hours of CPD. Our online learning platform brings learning to life with interactive graphics and video, alongside quizzes and deep dives to consolidate learning.
The full price of the course will be £1,250 +VAT per student. Overseas (non-UK) businesses may be eligible for a non-VAT price of £1,250, please contact us for more information.
We expect each module to take between 3 and 5hours to complete over the course of 6-9 months (there are 10 modules = up to 50 hours). In addition there are a number of deep dives and a list of further reading for those interested in a particular area or wishing to expand their knowledge further. We highly recommend diarising regular study sessions to keep progressing through the course content.
There will be a live (and recorded) tutorial with the community and course organisers at the beginning, middle and end of the course to consolidate the learning material, address specific questions and participate in discussions. Students will also join a community of veterinary professionals all taking the course at the same time, to help each other along the way.
During the course there will be tasks and quick quizzes to solidify learning throughout the course. At the end of the course, you will also be required to submit an assignment which will be reviewed by our course organisers, with either a pass or fail awarded to each student. In this assignment, you should set out how you would support a farm animal client during their transition to more sustainable ways of farming. We’re looking for evidence that you can apply your knowledge to a practical scenario - which can either be fictitious, semi-fictitious or a real-life farming client, whom you may or may not wish to engage with as part of the project. Your submission should take the form of a written report, case study or essay, of a maximum of 2500 words. Alongside your written piece, you may optionally choose to submit an audio recording, interview or video. placeholder text and put in your own
Meet our Course Authors
Laura Higham
BVM&S MSc MRCVS
Laura Higham is a Director of Vet Sustain and veterinary consultant in sustainable livestock production at the Food Animal Initiative (FAI), working alongside food businesses to drive sustainability in commercial supply chains, with a focus on animal welfare and responsible antibiotic use. Having previously worked in the charity sector implementing projects to support animal-based livelihoods in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, she has a deep interest in the intersect between international development and animal health and welfare, and the wider roles of vets in society. Laura is a PhD researcher in antimicrobial use and animal welfare in agriculture at The Global Academy for Agriculture and Food Security at Edinburgh University, and holds an MSc in international animal health.
Ashleigh Bright
BSc MSc DPhil
Ashleigh Bright is a freelance animal welfare and sustainability consultant based in New Zealand. Ashleigh was the Head of Science at FAI for 15 years, before which she completed her BSc and MSc in animal behaviour at Waikato University in New Zealand and a PhD in animal welfare at the University of Oxford. Ashleigh’s core interest is the complex challenge facing global food production, applying robust science in a practical and commercial context, to ensure farmers and their supply chain partners have the knowledge and insight they need to grow food sustainably.
Alex Tomlinson
MA Vet MB MSc PhD Dip ECZM (Wildlife Population Health) MRCVS
Alex Tomlinson qualified as a veterinarian from Cambridge University in 1992. After spells in mixed practice and a teaching position at Hartpury University, Alex specialised in wildlife health, beginning with an MSc in Wild Animal Health from the Royal Veterinary College/Institute of Zoology, followed by a position as a wildlife pathologist. From there, she progressed to a PhD from Liverpool University, studying the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in free-living badgers at Woodchester Park in Gloucestershire. Since 2013, Alex has been self-employed, working on wildlife conservation projects with Wildlife Vets International, as a veterinary consultant for the Food Animal Initiative (FAI), and most recently working with sankalpa on regenerative food systems and their role in supporting human, animal and environmental health in the widest possible sense.
About VetSalus
Wholesome Food From Healthy Animals
VetSalus is a committed group of international veterinarians with expertise in all aspects of ‘One Health’, in particular animal health, welfare and sustainable agriculture.
We seek to contribute to global food strategy, particularly around animal health and welfare and sustainable agriculture, and develop relationships and networks, to build capacity and collaborate globally.
About Vet Sustain
Vet Sustain supports veterinary professionals to become leading forces for sustainability
Vet Sustain is a not-for-profit community interest company on a mission to inspire and enable members of the veterinary professions to drive change for a more sustainable future. Vet Sustain produces the tools, training, communications and advocacy centred around our six Veterinary Sustainability Goals, to help veterinary professionals and teams to continually improve the health and wellbeing of animals, people and the environment through their day-to-day work.
We seek to contribute to global food strategy, particularly around animal health and welfare and sustainable agriculture, and develop relationships and networks, to build capacity and collaborate globally.
