Course Overview

As farm animal health professionals, we have privileged access to the farming businesses that represent our food system, the unrivalled trust of our clients, and a multidisciplinary skill set. This course will explore 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, we are 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. This online learning course has been written and developed by a collaborative team from Vet Sustain and VetSalus.

  • Sustainability course designed for veterinarians and paraprofessionals working with production animals

  • Self-Paced Online Learning Course

  • Designed to fit around busy work and life schedules

  • Explore the principles of sustainable and regenerative farming

  • Create a plan to support your clients in transitioning to a more sustainable way of farming

  • Equivalent to 35 hours of CPD

  • Attain a LANTRA accredited certificate

Future Course Dates

Registration for our next cohort will open in October 2024

If you are interested in joining our next cohort, please join our waiting list.
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During this course you will study:

  • The Role of Veterinary Professionals in Sustainability

  • The Sustainable Practitioner

  • Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities in Food and Farming

  • Farming Systems of the World

  • Better Farming

  • Efficient farming

  • Agroecological, Organic and Regenerative Agriculture - History and Practical Applications

  • Driving Change

  • Sustainable and Regenerative Business

Free Preview

Take a look at the course content in more detail with our free preview.

Take a look at the course content in more detail with our free preview.
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Course Format

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 course has been designed to be completed over the course of 6-9 months, with facilitated online Zoom tutorials at the beginning, middle and end of the course. Once the online learning has been completed, participants will be required to submit a written assignment to demonstrate their understanding of the course content and be able to apply their knowledge to a practical scenario. 


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. 



Pricing Options

The price of the course is £1,250.00 +VAT

All UK residents and overseas individuals are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT). Overseas businesses are eligible to purchase the course exclusive of VAT (upon providing valid registration business details).
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Overseas Registration

Not from the UK? No Problem!

Participants are able to purchase the course in a range of local currencies. Here are our most popular choices - 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).


Currency
 Price
 Currency
 Price
Pound Sterling (GBP)
 £1,250.00
 Euros (EUR) €1,475.00
Australian Dollars (AUD)  $2,400.00 New Zealand Dollars (NZD)  $2,600.00
Danish Krone (DKK)  DKK 10,995.00 US Dollars (USD)  $1,595.00

What Students Can Expect From The Course

  • 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 (recorded) online tutorials at the beginning, middle and end of the course to consolidate the learning material, address specific questions 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

Hear what those who have joined the course have to say:

The course experience has been excellent!

Christine U, Farm Vet, NZ

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!

Hannah K, Farm Vet, UK

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!

Challenging, enlightening and motivating!

Tom W, Farm Vet, UK

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

Hannah D, Veterinary Clinical Teaching Fellow from the University of Surrey and Vet Sustain Technical Content Lead

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.

Really interesting course!

Tom Jenkins, Clyde Vet Group

It was a really interesting course and already proven useful in day to day practice

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Am I eligible to sign up for the course?

  • 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.

  • How much is the course?

  • 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.

  • How long with the course take me to complete?

  • 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.

  • How much support with I have during the course?

  • 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.

  • What do I need to accomplish in order to complete the course and receive my LANTRA accredited certificate?

  • 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.

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.
Alex Tomlinson

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

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.
Alex Tomlinson

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.
Visit the VetSalus Website

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.
Visit the Vet Sustain Website