Regenerative agriculture is a self-sufficient, closed-loop system in which all the inputs required for farming are produced by farmers on their farms using only the naturally available resources within their farms.

MUM: Certificate in regenerative organic agriculture to be offered
by Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa, USA, The Review
17 October 2016

Those interested in being part of the next generation of organic farming will be able to enroll in a 10-month certificate program in regenerative organic agriculture at Maharishi University of Management beginning this January.

The program will combine classroom instruction with six months of field work learning all facets of organic agriculture. The field work will take place at the Center for Regenerative Organic Agriculture, which includes 26 acres of land with facilities such as classrooms, food processing areas, a kitchen, and offices.

Courses include planning an organic farm, soil science, starting seeds, biodynamic agriculture, greenhouse management, organic crop nutrient management, organic pest management, and more. Apprenticeships will be available in the U.S., Nepal, Italy, Bali, and Costa Rica.

Graduates will receive a certificate in regenerative agriculture underwritten by MUM, the Biodynamic Association, and the International Federation of Organic Farming Movements.

According to program head A. Thimmaiah, few schools or organizations offer hands-on programs in regenerative organic farming systems, which he distinguishes from common organic farming.
"Most organic agriculture is still a substitution farming wherein most of the inputs are imported, such as seeds, manures, biopesticides, and more."

Regenerative agriculture, on the other hand, is a self-sufficient, closed-loop system in which all the inputs required for farming are produced by farmers on their farms using only the naturally available resources within their farms.

"This course will be of interest to anyone who has a passion to create radical change in the current food and agriculture systems," Dr. Thimmaiah said. "The students can be food activists, farmers, food advocates, home and urban gardeners, or future organic farmers."

The program will be a collaborative effort among five internationally renowned organizations in the field of organic and biodynamic agriculture.

"The world leaders in this field will be helping to teach this course," he said. "This is a great opportunity for students to have a global understanding and to learn solutions to the present unsustainable, exploitative farming systems.

For more information, see www.mum.edu/roa-certificate.

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