Live online Basic Course: Fundamentals of organic farming & advisory work
Explore yourself flexibly and professionally!
The OrganicAdviceNetwork project is launching a new Online Basic Course to introduce participants to the core principles and practices of organic farming and advice. Starting on 13 November 2025, the course runs over 12 weeks, with each session focusing on a key aspect of organic agriculture and advisory services. This course is open to anyone interested in organic farming, with a particular focus on professionals seeking to gain or expand their expertise in organic farming advice. It is designed to be compatible with full-time work and enables participants to engage in flexible, self-paced learning.
What to expect
- Weekly live sessions including presentations by experts and Q&A sessions
- Recordings with subtitles in English, German and French for flexible viewing
- Optional deep-dive materials to explore topics at your own pace
- Self-assessment tests to track your learning progress
- A supportive learning environment with multilingual facilitation and community exchange
What you'll gain
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the fundamentals of organic farming and the role of advisory work
- Evaluate sustainable strategies for plant protection and animal welfare
- Recognize the importance of biodiversity and climate adaptation in organics
- Evaluate the steps and challenges of converting to organic farming
Who should join?
- Students of agricultural sciences or related disciplines
- Recent graduates seeking orientation in the organic sector
- Early-career professionals and individuals interested in becoming organic farming advisors
- Anyone curious about organic farming – no prior experience required!
Course agenda
- 13 November 2025: Organic Farming: A Historical Introduction to the Organic Family
- 20 November 2025: Organic Principles: Values and Legal Foundations incl. Certification and Control
- 27 November 2025: Systems Thinking: Soil Fertility as a Core Example
- 04 December 2025: Crop Production: Managing Nutrients in Organic Systems
- 11 December 2025: Pest and Disease Control: Strategies for Sustainable Plant Protection
- 18 December 2025: Weed Control: Strategies and Practices in Organic Farming
- Christmas Break
- 15 January 2026: Animal Husbandry: Livestock in Organic Agriculture
- 22 January 2026: Animal Welfare: Health and Wellbeing in Organic Systems
- 29 January 2026: Agrobiodiversity: Seeds, Breeding, and Genetic Resources
- 5 February 2026: Climate Adaptation: Strategies for Organic Farming Systems
- 12 February 2026: Value Addition: Marketing and Consumer Interaction in Organics
- 19 February 2026: Conversion to Organic: Benefits and Challenges
Certification
Complete all sessions and pass the weekly self-assessment tests to receive your official digital certificate.
Total learning effort: around 30 hours.
Who facilitates the course?
The course is supported by staff members from FiBL and ITAB, who provide guidance in English, German, and French.
Our lecturers are subject-matter experts from across Europe who are involved in research and advisory organizations. They are committed to sharing their insights through this innovative learning format.
How to join?
For registering to the Basic Course, a prior registration to the platform OrganicAdviceNetwork.space is required.
