Smallholders Course

This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in running a smallholding, or simply growing their understanding and practical skills within the land-based sector, including administration and legislation; machinery, tools and equipment; health and safety; estate skills including hedge laying, fencing and dry stone walling; grass and forage; vegetables, flowers and fruit; pigs, goats, beef, sheep and poultry. There will be a strong emphasis on sustainability within all the subject areas.

There are no formal entry requirements – you just need an interest in smallholding. 

Week 1 – 8th and 9th October 2022 – introduction to smallholding, administration and legislation, health and safety, tools, machinery, equipment use and maintenance, ground preparation techniques, autumn/winter propagation, winter maintenance, introduction to livestock husbandry including practical tasks, selling and buying, and sustainable practices.

Week 2 – 14th and 15th January 2023 – boundary repair, construction and maintenance including post and rail, netting, dry stone walling, structure repair and maintenance, and sustainable practices.

Week 3 – 4th and 5th March – lambing practical and theory, livestock husbandry and associated tasks (beef, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry), seed sowing and planting, and sustainable practices.

Week 4 – 27th and 28th May (final week) – the smallholder’s calendar, variety of practical tasks relating to both plants and animals, pest and disease control, feeding and nutrition for both plants and animals, animal and plant health, grass and forage, and sustainable practices. 

This course will be taught using blended learning, with a mixture of both theory and practical actIvities.

You need overalls or snag-free working clothes, steel toe cap boots and a change of footwear for inside.

Assessment will be informal but, on completion of the course, a College certificate will be issued. 

We also run a variety of NPTC qualifications which are industry recognised and prepare people for the land-based industry. These include pesticide application PA1, PA6A and W, PA2, tractor and loader, rough terrain telescopic handler, ATV, brushcutter and chainsaw qualifications. We also offer a range of full and part-time courses in agriculture, animal care, horticulture, countryside and conservation, floristry and arboriculture. Please see our website for details.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk