A community of knowledge holders and creators in regenerative, ecological and holistic approaches to agriculture.

What is IEA Accreditation?  

The IEA Accreditation program is designed to provide public endorsement of an individual’s expertise.

It supports the ethical and professional standards of consultants, educators and trainers in ecological (regenerative) agriculture. It protects the credibility of professionals who uphold IEA’s standards when offering farmers, organisations or governments advice in ecological (regenerative) agriculture.

Accreditation Streams

A ‘Community of Practice’ shaping ecological agriculture

The IEA Accreditation supports a community of practice with representation from across the different agricultural approaches that inform ecological (regenerative) agriculture inclusive of (but not limited to) agroecology, indigenous foodways, permaculture, carbon farming, natural farming, keyline farming, organic and biodynamic agriculture, natural resource management and holistic management. It co-qualifies these approaches into an industry standard.

IEA believes that bringing these approaches into formal dialogue with one another, and collectively upholding professional and ethical standards, is fundamentally important to transforming agriculture in Australia.  

Why is IEA Accreditation important?

The quality of advice being given to farmers, organisations and governments under the name of ‘regenerative agriculture’ is currently unregulated.

As ecological approaches to agriculture gain popularity, it is important that those offering advice meet professional and ethical standards. This will protect the credibility of ecological approaches and prevent greenwashing.

Such standards should be set and upheld by industry professionals, rather than an external power. IEA is a member-owned, community-led co-operative; and so the IEA Accreditation and its associated standards are governed by this community of practitioners.

Objectives 

The objectives of the IEA Accreditation program are to:

• Facilitate a network of professional consultants, educators and trainers, who are capable of supporting the required shift towards a more regenerative, ecological and holistic agriculture

• Create a supportive peer network of educators and consultants who are equipped to provide advice with integrity.

• Provide opportunities for professionally accredited members to enhance their knowledge and skills through seminars, workshops and conferences

• As a cohort, determine and uphold the ongoing professional and ethical requirements expected of an accredited IEA professional

• Recognise and reward outstanding contributions to agriculture in the context of a regenerative, ecological and holistic approach

The IEA accreditation pilot phase 

Early phases of the IEA accreditation program, will be treated as a pilot establishment period that will coevolve with the community to best meet needs of educators and consultants involved in regeneration practice. The IEA believes community ownership and industry collaboration through co-design are central features of the accreditation development.

Members who work towards and/or hold accreditation with IEA can play an active role in codeveloping the program as part of a self-governed community of practice.

Benefits of IEA Accreditation

There are many benefits to being accredited with the IEA: 

• Recognition that the individual has the knowledge and skills to provide professional advice regarding regenerative, ecological and holistic agriculture

• Recognition that the individual has the qualities and competencies associated with regenerative, ecological and holistic thinking

• The right to place initials after their name as a representation of this recognition; e.g. IEA accredited professional

• The right to use this professional status to the advantage of the individual’s career and credibility

• Ongoing engagement, support and professional development from fellow accredited professionals involved in the IEA community-of-practice

• The opportunity to play a significant role in the evolution of the IEA and Australian agriculture

Years in the making through community consultation

To develop the founding composition of the accreditation program, the IEA has undertaken wide cross-industry community consultation over several years to determine the ethical and professional standards, and expertise and knowledge criteria for the accreditation process.

This consultation was conducted with professionals from across the different agricultural approaches that inform ecological (regenerative) agriculture, including (but not limited to) agroecology, Indigenous foodways, permaculture, carbon farming, natural farming, keyline farming, organic and biodynamic agriculture, natural resource management and holistic management. The resulting IEA Professional Standards inform the IEA Accreditation requirements.

Accreditation requirements   

To achieve professional accreditation with the IEA, you must:

1. Be a current member of the IEA

2. Follow and abide by the IEA Constitution, Code of Ethics, Rules of Conduct, and Professional Standards

3. Satisfy (or be working towards satisfying) the requirements of the IEA Knowledge Systems

4. Pay the one-off application fee and, upon becoming IEA Accredited, pay the annual Accreditation fee.

Application process

Follow the step-by-step process to apply for IEA Accreditation, including downloading and completing the IEA Accreditation Application Form.

For information on the accreditation fee structure please refer to the IEA Accreditation Fees.