Are you ready to support meaningful change for a sustainable future?

As veterinary professionals, we are in a unique position to take action and inspire others. As farm animal health professionals, we have privileged access to the farming businesses that represent our food system, the unrivalled trust of our clients, and a multidisciplinary skill set. With these tools, we are in an ideal position to help develop the sustainable food and farming system we need to meet the nutritional needs of our growing population, combat climate change, regenerate ecosystems, secure rural livelihoods and safeguard animal welfare.

A Veterinary Approach to Sustainable Food and Farming will empower veterinary professionals working with farm animals to unlock their unique toolbox of skills and knowledge to help producers attain multiple sustainability objectives – for the benefit of the animals under our care, rural communities, wildlife and the wider environment. This online learning course has been written and developed by a collaborative team from Vet Sustain and VetSalus.

  • Sustainability course designed for veterinarians and paraprofessionals working with production animals

  • Self-Paced Online Learning Course

  • Designed to fit around busy work and life schedules

During this course you will study:

  • The Role of Veterinary Professionals in Sustainability

  • Farming Systems of the World

  • Better and Efficient Farming

  • Agro-ecological, organic, and regenerative agriculture

  • Driving Change and Sustainable and Regenerative Business

Course Curriculum

Take a closer look at the course, including some FREE lesson previews!

    1. Course overview

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Welcome to the Course from Laura

    3. Welcome to the Course from David

    4. Modules

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. What to Expect

      FREE PREVIEW

    6. How to Navigate The Course - Top Tips

    7. Opening questionnaire

    8. Directory of recommended reading and resources

    9. About us

      FREE PREVIEW

    10. Glossary of Terms

    1. Brief overview

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Module champion: Ruth Clements

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. TASK Module 1 Introductions

    4. 1.1 Introduction

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. 1.2 Sustainability 101

      FREE PREVIEW

    6. TASK 1.2 Sustainability 101

      FREE PREVIEW

    7. 1.2.1 Sustainability 101

      FREE PREVIEW

    8. Quick quiz

    9. 1.3 The Anthropocene

      FREE PREVIEW

    10. TASK 1.3 The Anthropocene

    11. 1.3.1 The Anthropocene

      FREE PREVIEW

    12. Quick quiz

    13. 1.4 Sustainability: a destination or journey?

    14. TASK 1.4 Sustainability: a destination or journey?

    15. 1.5 Meaningful change

    16. TASK 1.5 Meaningful change

    17. 1.5.1 Meaningful change

    18. TASK 1.5.1 Meaningful change

    19. 1.5.2 Meaningful change

    20. TASK 1.5.2 Meaningful change

    21. Quick quiz

    22. 1.6 Voluntary sustainability initiatives in food and farming

    23. TASK 1.6 Voluntary sustainability initiatives in food and farming

    24. 1.7 Why veterinary professionals?

    25. 1.7.1 Why veterinary professionals?

    26. 1.7.2 Why veterinary professionals?

    27. TASK 1.7.2 Why veterinary professionals?

    28. Quick quiz

    29. 1.8 A changing profession

    30. TASK 1.8 A changing profession

    31. Final reflection

    32. Introducing: The project

    33. Project Guidelines

    34. References and further reading

    1. Brief Overview

    2. Module champion: Rob Howe

    3. TASK Module 2 Introductions

    4. 2.1 Introduction

    5. 2.2 Sustainability in our own operations – why is it so important?

    6. TASK 2.2 Sustainability in our own operations – why is it so important?

    7. Quick quiz

    8. 2.3 What are other sectors doing?

    9. TASK 2.3 What are other sectors doing?

    10. 2.4 Sustainability in clinical veterinary settings – responsible resource use

      FREE PREVIEW

    11. 2.4.1 Sustainability in clinical veterinary settings – responsible resource use

    12. 2.5 Sustainability in clinical veterinary settings – sustainable operations

    13. TASK 2.5.1 Sustainability in clinical veterinary settings – sustainable operations

    14. TASK 2.5.1.2 Sustainability in clinical veterinary settings – sustainable operations

    15. 2.5.2 Sustainability in clinical veterinary settings – sustainable operations

    16. TASK 2.5.2 Discuss Telemedicine

    17. Quick quiz

    18. 2.6 Sustainability in clinical veterinary settings – use medicines responsibly

    19. TASK 2.6 Sustainability in clinical veterinary settings – use medicines responsibly

    20. Quick quiz

    21. 2.7 Sustainability in clinical veterinary settings – empowering the team

    22. TASK 2.7 Sustainability in clinical veterinary settings – empowering the team

    23. Quick quiz

    24. 2.8 Engaging and sustaining the whole veterinary team

    25. TASK 2.8 Engaging and sustaining the whole veterinary team

    26. 2.8.1 Engaging and sustaining the whole veterinary team

    27. Quick quiz

    28. Final reflection

    29. References and further reading

    1. Brief Overview

    2. Module champion: Alice Geddes

    3. TASK Module 3 Introductions

    4. 3.1 Sustainability Challenges in our Food Systems

    5. TASK 3.1 Sustainability Challenges in our Food Systems

    6. 3.2 Sustainability challenges – Environment

    7. 3.2.1 Sustainability challenges – Environment

    8. TASK 3.2.1 Sustainability challenges – Environment

    9. 3.2.3 Sustainability challenges - People & Animals

    10. 3.2.4 Sustainability challenges - People

    11. 3.3 Frameworks and approaches to consider sustainability challenges

    12. Quick quiz

    13. 3.3.1 Ethics: People

    14. 3.3.2 Ethics: Animals

    15. TASK 3.3.2 Ethics: Animals

    16. 3.3.3 Ethics: Animals

    17. TASK 3.3.3 Ethics: Animals

    18. 3.4 Opportunities for change

    19. TASK 3.4 Opportunities for change

    20. Quick quiz

    21. 3.5 Challenges or opportunities in food and farming – key debates

      FREE PREVIEW

    22. 3.5.1 Challenges or opportunities in food and farming – key debates

      FREE PREVIEW

    23. TASK 3.5.1 Challenges or opportunities in food and farming – key debates

      FREE PREVIEW

    24. Quick quiz

    25. 3.6 Changing demand to address sustainability

    26. 3.6.1 Changing demand to address sustainability

    27. Quick quiz

    28. Final Reflection

    29. References and further reading

    1. Brief Overview

    2. Module Champion: David Black

    3. TASK Module 4 Introductions

    4. 4.1 Why do we farm?

    5. TASK 4.1 Why do we farm?

    6. 4.1.1 Why do we farm?

    7. Quick quiz

    8. 4.2 What do we farm?

    9. 4.3 Where do we farm?

    10. TASK 4.3 Where do we farm?

    11. 4.4 Farming systems

    12. 4.4.1 Farming systems

    13. 4.4.2 Farming systems

    14. TASK 4.4 Farming systems

    15. 4.5 What wild food do we catch and harvest?

    16. Quick quiz

    17. 4.6 Farming Livelihoods

    18. TASK 4.6 Farming Livelihoods

    19. 4.6.1 Farming Livelihoods

    20. TASK 4.6.1 Farming Livelihoods

    21. 4.7 The role of veterinary professionals in different farming systems of the world

    22. Quick quiz

    23. Final Reflection

    24. References

    1. Brief Overview

    2. Module Champion: Navaratnam Partheeban

    3. TASK Module 5 Introductions

    4. 5.1 Existing structures and classifications for ‘Better’ food and farming

    5. 5.1.1 Legislation and policy

    6. TASK 5.1.1 Legislation and policy

    7. 5.2 Assurance schemes

    8. TASK 5.2 Assurance schemes

    9. Quick Quiz

    10. 5.3 Food business standards

    11. TASK 5.3 Food business standards

    12. 5.3.1 Food business standards

    13. Quick Quiz

    14. 5.4 The role of veterinary professionals in farming standards

    15. 5.5 How can we assess which countries, companies and assurance schemes are supporting ‘Better’ farming?

    16. TASK 5.5 How can we assess which countries, companies and assurance schemes are supporting ‘Better’ farming?

    17. 5.5.1 Labour Rights Index

    18. TASK 5.5.1 Assurance Schemes

    19. 5.5.2 Animal Welfare

    20. Quick quiz

    21. 5.6 On-farm tools to measure ‘Better’ farming outcomes

    22. Quick quiz

    23. 5.7 The importance of metrics

    24. Quick quiz

    25. Final reflection

    26. References

About this course

  • £1,500.00
  • 282 lessons
  • Live and Recorded Tutorials from Course Facilitator
  • Interactive Content including Charts and Figures, as well as videos from Module Champions
  • Opportunity for Deep Dives and Recommended Reading

Pricing Options

Overseas businesses can purchase the course exclusive of VAT. All UK residents and overseas individuals are subject to VAT.


If you require an invoice or VAT receipt please email executive.officer@vetsalus.com. 

Similarly, if you are an overseas business and would like to enrol on our course, select the non-VAT price and contact our team with your business details.

Hear what those who have joined the course have to say:

The course experience has been excellent!

Christine U, Farm Vet, NZ

The course experience has been excellent - I like the module system, the 'deep dives' and variety of course material, quizzes etc. Have enjoyed the forum/WhatsApp chats and the Zoom meetings too.

It's definitely living up to expectations!

Hannah K, Farm Vet, UK

I am thoroughly enjoying the course so far and am really pleased to be doing the training. I have been interested in food systems for a long time and have been waiting for some CPD that really covered this fast moving and complex area. It's definitely living up to expectations!

Challenging, enlightening and motivating!

Tom W, Farm Vet, UK

A fascinating, in-depth exploration of sustainable food production and the role practitioners hold in shaping our farming practices, both current and future. I found it challenging, enlightening and above all, motivating. It enables us as farm advisors to guide clients through the many changing expectations (and opportunities) within agriculture.

This course is opening my eyes to the impacts that we can each make

Hannah D, Veterinary Clinical Teaching Fellow from the University of Surrey and Vet Sustain Technical Content Lead

This course is opening my eyes to the impacts that we can each make as individuals, as well as the simple conversations we can have to drive sustainability in practice/on farm. It has also helped me to understand the broader impacts of climate change that are further reaching globally which has been interesting.

Meet Your Course Facilitators

Ruth Clements BSc Hons, BVM&S, MRCVS

Ruth Clements graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from Edinburgh University in 2008 and has a degree in molecular biology. Ruth lives in Oxfordshire with her husband, daughters and an assortment of animals. She started working in sustainable agriculture in 2002, joining FAI Farms full time in 2010 leading their veterinary sustainability programmes. She continues to work for the Benchmark group to date. Ruth developed a holistic management framework to tackle lameness in sheep and the resulting “5 Point Plan” approach has been accepted by industry stakeholders as the national control strategy against this disease, with prevalence levels and associated antibiotic use in the UK steadily declining. She now takes these principles across agriculture and aquaculture, looking towards tackling some of the most challenging disease-based blockers to sustainable production in various sectors. Ruth has been involved in the creation and evolution of Vet Sustain and has a strong interest in the development of farming systems and innovative health management. She now chairs the Food and Farming Working Group for Vet Sustain and sits on the scientific advisory group for Roslin Technologies Ltd.

Lewis Griffiths BVMS MBA MRCVS

Lewis graduated from Glasgow University in 1978 and initially returned to his native west Wales to work in mixed, predominantly dairy practice. Having emigrated from Wales to New Zealand in 1990, he formed Riverside Veterinary Services in Ashburton and supervised the rapid growth of this practice into one of the largest in New Zealand at that time. Lewis was awarded an MBA from Canterbury University in 2005. In recent years, Lewis has developed a growing interest in climate change and sustainable agriculture and this has led to his role with VetSalus. Lewis is convinced that the veterinary profession has a major contribution to make in the “race to zero”.

Lisa Morgans BVSc PhD MRCVS

Lisa Morgans is an interdisciplinary researcher and veterinary facilitator that aims to bridge the gap between science and practice. Lisa started her career as a mixed practitioner in Cornwall before embarking on a PhD at Bristol University exploring a farmer-led approach to antimicrobial stewardship. During which she became trained in facilitation and took a deep dive into the social sciences. She now works as Head of Livestock at Innovation for Agriculture, an independent knowledge exchange charity based in the UK.

What Students Can Expect From The Course

  • Discussion Forums

    Students will have the opportunity to join and interact with a community of like minded veterinary professionals taking the course at the same time

  • Online Tutorials

    Option to attend live (recorded) online tutorials at the beginning, middle and end of the course to consolidate the learning material, address specific questions and participate in discussions

  • LANTRA Certificate

    Upon completion of the course and submission of an assignment (max 2500 words), successful students will receive a LANTRA accredited certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Am I eligible to sign up for the course?

  • The course is aimed at veterinarians and those working in vet-led businesses, and whilst there are no specific requirements, all students are expected to have undertaken an undergraduate degree, technical qualification as a paraprofessional, or a relevant diploma. If you are unsure please contact us before you enrol on the course.

  • How much is the course?

  • The full price of the course will be £1,250 +VAT per student. Overseas (non-UK) businesses may be eligible for a non-VAT price of £1,250, please contact us for more information.

  • How long with the course take me to complete?

  • We expect each module to take between 3 and 5hours to complete over the course of 6-9 months (there are 10 modules = up to 50 hours). In addition there are a number of deep dives and a list of further reading for those interested in a particular area or wishing to expand their knowledge further. We highly recommend diarising regular study sessions to keep progressing through the course content.

  • How much support with I have during the course?

  • There will be a live (and recorded) tutorial with the community and course organisers at the beginning, middle and end of the course to consolidate the learning material, address specific questions and participate in discussions. Students will also join a community of veterinary professionals all taking the course at the same time, to help each other along the way.

  • What do I need to accomplish in order to complete the course and receive my LANTRA accredited certificate?

  • During the course there will be tasks and quick quizzes to solidify learning throughout the course. At the end of the course, you will also be required to submit an assignment which will be reviewed by our course organisers, with either a pass or fail awarded to each student. In this assignment, you should set out how you would support a farm animal client during their transition to more sustainable ways of farming. We’re looking for evidence that you can apply your knowledge to a practical scenario - which can either be fictitious, semi-fictitious or a real-life farming client, whom you may or may not wish to engage with as part of the project. Your submission should take the form of a written report, case study or essay, of a maximum of 2500 words. Alongside your written piece, you may optionally choose to submit an audio recording, interview or video.

Meet our Course Authors

Laura Higham

BVM&S MSc MRCVS

Laura Higham is a Director of Vet Sustain and veterinary consultant in sustainable livestock production at the Food Animal Initiative (FAI), working alongside food businesses to drive sustainability in commercial supply chains, with a focus on animal welfare and responsible antibiotic use. Having previously worked in the charity sector implementing projects to support animal-based livelihoods in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, she has a deep interest in the intersect between international development and animal health and welfare, and the wider roles of vets in society. Laura is a PhD researcher in antimicrobial use and animal welfare in agriculture at The Global Academy for Agriculture and Food Security at Edinburgh University, and holds an MSc in international animal health.
Alex Tomlinson

Ashleigh Bright

BSc MSc DPhil

Ashleigh Bright is a freelance animal welfare and sustainability consultant based in New Zealand. Ashleigh was the Head of Science at FAI for 15 years, before which she completed her BSc and MSc in animal behaviour at Waikato University in New Zealand and a PhD in animal welfare at the University of Oxford. Ashleigh’s core interest is the complex challenge facing global food production, applying robust science in a practical and commercial context, to ensure farmers and their supply chain partners have the knowledge and insight they need to grow food sustainably.
Alex Tomlinson

Alex Tomlinson

MA Vet MB MSc PhD Dip ECZM (Wildlife Population Health) MRCVS

Alex Tomlinson qualified as a veterinarian from Cambridge University in 1992. After spells in mixed practice and a teaching position at Hartpury University, Alex specialised in wildlife health, beginning with an MSc in Wild Animal Health from the Royal Veterinary College/Institute of Zoology, followed by a position as a wildlife pathologist. From there, she progressed to a PhD from Liverpool University, studying the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in free-living badgers at Woodchester Park in Gloucestershire. Since 2013, Alex has been self-employed, working on wildlife conservation projects with Wildlife Vets International, as a veterinary consultant for the Food Animal Initiative (FAI), and most recently working with sankalpa on regenerative food systems and their role in supporting human, animal and environmental health in the widest possible sense.
Alex Tomlinson

About VetSalus

Wholesome Food From Healthy Animals

VetSalus is a business initiative developed by a committed group of international veterinarians with the primary goal of establishing a global network of veterinary specialists. The core business of VetSalus is to facilitate the placement of veterinary consultants who will provide expertise in various aspects of ‘One Health’, especially animal production and sustainable farming. VetSalus is particularly interested in providing consultancy in Animal Welfare, Antimicrobial Usage and Sustainable Animal Production Systems.
Visit the VetSalus Website