Smallholders

About the course

Introduction: This course covers a range of smallholding topics on a weekly basis.

What are the entry requirements? There are no entry requirements other than an interest in the subject.

How long is the course? The course consists of nine, 2-hour evening sessions held on a weekly basis together with a 5-hour practical session on hedge laying held on a Saturday.

What will the course involve? The course will involve taught sessions at weekly 2-hour evening sessions that will cover the following topics: Grass & Forage, Vegetables & Fruit, Pigs, Beef & Dairy, Administration & Legislation, Sheep, Goats, Machinery & Equipment, Poultry. In addition, a 5 hour practical hedge laying session will be held on a Saturday on a date agreed at the start of the course.

How long will I be learning?

The total duration will be 23 hours split into nine 2-hour evening sessions and a 5 hour Saturday session. Evening sessions are from 7.00pm to 9.00pm – although with questions/interactivity some sessions finish a little later.

What equipment will I need?

For outdoor sessions you will need strong boots, suitable cold and wet weather clothing that is resistant to being torn – especially when hedge laying.

How will I know if I am making progress?

Sessions are interactive and delivered by subject specialists – questioning and natural interest from delegates is encouraged by the teaching staff and this will ensure individual needs are met and progression is made. Paper handouts of each session will be available to support delivery.

What course work will I be expected to complete?

There are no specific coursework requirements. Handouts will be available for you to make notes on should you need to.

What can I expect to learn from this course?

You can expect to gain a good insight into the various aspects of running a smallholding to support you in making decisions on what to do with your existing smallholding or what to consider if purchasing/renting a smallholding.

What other training programmes and progression opportunities are there?

The course has links to following courses:

Practical Cattle Handling

Practical Sheep Handling

The Lambing Ewe

Beekeeping

Dry Stone Walling

A range of full or part time agriculture or horticulture courses at both FE and/or HE.

Agriculture

Myerscough College is one of the leading institutions for Agriculture in the UK. Our courses will help prepare you for a career in the industry, by combining relevant background skills with the knowledge of crop and livestock technology as well as business enterprise.

There is currently a significant demand for highly trained and well educated professionals to enter the industry. This has been fuelled by the increasing awareness that food production, farming, tourism, the environment and rural affairs are all interconnected.

Endless Opportunities

Students will get the chance to undertake work experience during their studies.

In the past, students have gone to New Zealand or Australia to do sheep and dairy work, with others heading west to Canada and the United States. Such experiences not only help students develop their knowledge and skills but they also prove valuable in terms of improving future employment prospects.

Experienced Staff

The expertise of the agriculture team at Myerscough College is second to none. The team consists of agriculturalists with a range of specialisms, ecologists, conservationists and game specialists who will all offer their wealth of experience and knowledge to students studying at the College.

£3m Food and Farming Innovation Technology Development

The new Food and Farming Innovation and Technology centre at Lodge Farm will create a centre of excellence to develop state-of-the- art precision farming techniques within the livestock and grassland sectors. The two storey building will incorporate specialist teaching, demonstration and research facilities, including a Livestock Innovation Centre and the latest grassland equipment, livestock feeding technologies, hybrid tractor power units and crop/field trials equipment.

Alumni – Oliver McEntyre

To anyone looking to study Agriculture or Countryside at Myerscough College, I’d say go, embrace it & leave with the knowledge that the qualification will stay with you for the rest of your career and open doors that might not have been opened without the time and experience Myerscough offers.

Meet Oliver

About the course

Agriculture

Endless Opportunities

Experienced Staff

£3m Food and Farming Innovation Technology Development

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Alumni – Oliver McEntyre

Are you looking to take up an activity, gain qualifications for employment or volunteering, or improve your existing skills?

We have a range of course available for you at our Croxteth Campus in Liverpool. Find out more about our free courses in the Liverpool City Region.

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