Regenerative Agriculture Course

Explore the many facets of regenerative agriculture through our hands-on collaboration with Byron Community College. Held at The Farm Byron Bay, this practical and inspiring course is delivered over six consecutive Mondays, where you’ll meet the farmers, growers, and makers who call The Farm home.

Each is an expert in their field, from soil and compost to animals, flowers, fermentation and beyond. Together, they’ll share how they’re regenerating the land, closing waste loops, and nurturing healthy communities.

This course breaks regenerative agriculture into clear, practical steps focused on keeping soil covered, growing living plants year-round, encouraging diversity, and working with animals and natural cycles in a balanced way.

Designed for small-scale farmers, growers, and passionate land stewards, it offers simple, achievable management changes that improve productivity while restoring ecological health. You’ll gain practical tools, real-world examples, and a supportive learning environment to confidently apply regenerative principles to your own property.

What You’ll Learn

During the course, you’ll gain insights and practical skills from:

Ryan Severn (The Farm): Composting methods & soil life
Jordan & Felix (The Farm): Animal husbandry & holistic management
Josh & Lynette (Greens From The Farm): Market gardening
Venetia & Joel (Good Natured Garden): Perennial growing & value adding
Katerina (Byron Fermentary): Fermentation methods
Jess (Poppy & Fern): Slow flower farming
Bunya (Growing Roots Permaculture): Agroforestry

You’ll also explore the core pillars of regenerative agriculture, including:

• Minimising soil disturbance

• Keeping soil covered

• Maintaining living roots year-round

• Maximising photosynthetic capacity

• Encouraging above and below ground biodiversity

• Integrating animals

• Building soil biology and habitat

• Working with natural cycles

• Contextual, adaptive management

Each session also touches on business foundations to support regenerative ventures. Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a grower, launching a product, or simply living more in tune with nature, this course offers both inspiration and practical know-how.

Course Details

Duration: 6 weeks, 4 May – 8 June
Schedule: Mondays, 9:00am – 3:00pm
Location: The Farm, Byron Bay
Format: Face-to-face learning with hands-on experiences
Assessment: Conducted in a supervised format

What to Bring

• Pen & notebook

• Lunch & refreshments (available for purchase from Three Blue Ducks onsite)

• Practical clothing: covered sturdy shoes/boots, hat, sun protection

Most days involve hands-on practical experience, so please dress accordingly.

Entry Requirements

• Open to students aged 15+

• Must not have previously completed the listed units of competency

• Students may only enrol in one funded course at a time

• Must be able to work outdoors in varied conditions and handle physical tasks

Learners should be comfortable with activities such as bending, lifting, digging, and working in sun, rain or wind.

PPE is required, including long work pants, long-sleeved shirt, solid work boots, gloves, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Accredited Learning

This course includes nationally recognised training units:

FSKLRG002 – Identify strategies to respond to short and simple workplace problems
FSKOCM002 – Engage in short and simple spoken exchanges at work

Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a Statement of Attainment.

Course Fees

Full fee: $720

This course is subsidised by the NSW Government’s Adult and Community Education (ACE) program. You may be eligible for fee-free training if you meet the ACE criteria.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder, or New Zealand citizen

• Live or work in NSW

• Be aged 15+ and no longer at school

• Provide a valid USI at enrolment

• Not have completed these units previously

For more information, contact 02 6684 3374.

Important Notes

• Fee-free courses cannot be undertaken if previous fee-free course assessments are incomplete

• A minimum of 48hrs notice is required if you cannot attend, so funded places can be offered to others

• A $100 cancellation fee applies for non-attendance without notice

• Class sizes are kept small — early enrolment is recommended