Although the introduction of westernised forms of agriculture to the Australian continent has led to national development and created economic wealth through major export earnings, these gains have been achieved at a huge cost to the Australian environment. The sustainability of agricultural production systems is now becoming a matter of concern. This paper describes how, in 1992, a postgraduate, distance education program in sustainable agriculture was introduced at Orange Agricultural College to provide educational opportunities for those who wished to develop more sustainable systems of agriculture. The course aims and structure are described. One of the units of study in this program was designed to provide a strategic approach to property planning. This approach, which is being used with farmers and Landcare groups to facilitate the development of more sustainable systems of agriculture, is described. Opportunities for international collaboration are raised.
