Home - Organic Training College Year 1 Course Options

Organic Training College - Year 1 Course Options

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Year 1 Qualifications

Option One National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) Level 2 Option Two .  NZQA National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) Level 2 plus .  Certificate in Organics Level 3 Additional Short Courses - these can be added to option one or two .  TRP Certificate in Rural Workplace Skills Level 2 .  Telford Certificate in Rural Health and Safety

Year 1 Courses

Option One - 2 days per week  

National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) - Level 2 - 70 Credits
Length	2 days per week for 43 weeks including holidays (37 weeks delivery)
Entry Requirements	Open
Course Content	Graduates will have acquired the basic knowledge about organic production for use in employment within the horticulture industry and/or for use in own gardens and smallholdings.
	Unit Standards 21043 Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of organic horticultural production 21049 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of vermiculture 21047 Describe, produce, and apply liquid fertilisers used in organic horticulture 21045 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of compost making in organic horticulture 1 Prepare and sow outdoor seedbeds manually 44 Establish and maintain shelter 22177 Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and function of plants 22174 Demonstrate knowledge of soils and fertilisers 22175 Demonstrate knowledge of soil properties and their effect on plant growth

Option Two - 3 days per week

National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) - Level 2 - 70 Credits plus Certificate in Organics - Level 3 - 40 credits
Length	3 days per week for 43 weeks including holidays (37 weeks delivery)
Entry Requirements	Open
Course Content	As well as a basic knowledge of organic production graduates will also acquire knowledge in beekeeping, permaculture, how to use pruning equipment and the development of organic horticulture.
	Unit Standards 21043 Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of organic horticultural production 21049 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of vermiculture 21047 Describe, produce, and apply liquid fertilisers used in organic horticulture 21045 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of compost making in organic horticulture 1 Prepare and sow outdoor seedbeds manually 44 Establish and maintain shelter 22177 Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and function of plants 22174 Demonstrate knowledge of soils and fertilisers 22175 Demonstrate knowledge of soil properties and their effect on plant growth 21054 Demonstrate knowledge of plants and their role in beekeeping 21041 Demonstrate knowledge of permaculture and plan a site 22191 Demonstrate knowledge of factors which influence plant growth 10325 Demonstrate knowledge of factors influencing the development of organic horticulture in New Zealand 21039 Demonstrate knowledge of the development of organic horticulture

Course Descriptions

Principles of Organic Production

Students who complete this course are able to: demonstrate knowledge of planning requirements for establishment and maintenance of an organic horticultural production system; demonstrate knowledge of organic soil management; describe pest control in organic horticulture; demonstrate knowledge of factors that affect disease control in organic horticulture; demonstrate knowledge of weed management in organic horticulture; and demonstrate knowledge of companion planting in organic horticulture.  

Liquid Fertilisers

This is a practical course where students will learn how to prepare and apply compost teas liquid fertilisers.

Vermiculture

Students learning how to recognise and encourage both earthworms and compost worms, build and maintain worm bins.  

Composting

Students learn and practice the principles of hot composting, bokashi using effective microorganisms and how to use biodynamic compost reparations.

Plants

On completion of this course students will be able to describe the basic structure and function of plants and plant nutrition.

Soils

Students learn how to describe soil formation, basic biological, chemical and physical soil properties and how soil properties and organic fertilisers can be managed to optimise plant growth. Students will also be able to assess and modify soil using sustainable practices, manage organic matter and maintain long term fertility. The student will also undertake basic soil analysis and take samples for soil tests.  

Planting and Sowing

Students will learn the principles of seed bed preparation, direct sowing and transplanting for a range of vegetable, green manure and cover crops grown at the BHU organic farm. Both hand and mechanical methods will be demonstrated.

Shelter

The shelter course aims to provide students with the theory and practical knowledge to select, plant, prune and maintain healthy shelter trees. Students will practice planting, maintain and coppice the mixed species shelter plantings at the BHU.  

Work Records

Work records (e.g. sowing, planting, harvesting) and weather records (manual and data logger) are maintained over the duration of the programme.

Bees and Organics

This course is a mixture of theory and practical, looking at the basics of managing and maintaining a healthy hive organically as well as how to maximize the value and benefits of having bees in organic horticulture.

Permaculture

Students completing this course will be able to: describe the principles of permaculture; outline procedures used to analyse a site for permaculture; create a permaculture plan for a selected site; and describe considerations when implementing the permaculture plan.

Plant Growth Processes and Lifecycles

This course enables students to describe how environmental factors affect plant growth processes and demonstrate knowledge of plant life cycles. Students will also demonstrate knowledge of a specific crop which is grown using environmental techniques to improve plant production and crop quality.  

The Development of Organic Horticulture

Students who complete this course are able to: describe the basic relationships and characteristics of an organic system; describe the development of modern organic horticulture; describe the schools of thought that are credited with the development of the modern organic horticulture movement; describe the principles of a selected range of organic movements; and describe the roles of key organisations that have a strong influence on organic horticulture.  

Introduction to Pruning

This course will train students how to use hand pruning equipment, orchard ladders or stools, and maintain orchard equipment. Students will practice pruning techniques in the B HU orchards.

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