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Agriculture is not only affected by climate change, but also contributes significantly to it. Greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors related to agriculture are estimated to contribute up to 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions. According to Dr. Timothy J. LaSalle, CEO The Rodale Institute, “…agriculture is an undervalued and underestimated climate change tool that could be one of the most powerful strategies in the fight against global warming”. Unfortunately, conventional agricultural practices exacerbate rather than alleviate the effects of climate change. Organic agriculture on the other hand – with its emphasis on closed nutrient cycles, biodiversity, and effective soil management – appears to have the capacity to mitigate...

As demand for organic produce increases, there are strong incentives for industry participants to pursue additional knowledge and technical skills. In most instances, educational courses and training opportunities must accommodate the diversity of experience, expectations, and enthusiasm which individuals invariably bring to these situations. The likelihood of a successful outcome is greatly enhanced when the educational processes are sufficiently flexible to meet the unique requirements of each participant. The majority of learning opportunities for the organic sector can be described within the framework of established educational categories. In summary, these are Tertiary Education, Apprenticeship or Internship, Integrated Systems Training...