Key facts
Cost: $3,000 + GST
Duration: 14 weeks
Delivery mode: Online and in person
Time commitment: This is a 15-credit course, which equates to approximately 150 hours of work:
- Four hours – self-timed access.
- Two hours – zoom tutorials.
- 24 hours – ‘in person’ farm engagement visits.
- 120 hours – dedicated to targeted assessment.
Overview
This course will give students the detailed knowledge and integrated skills necessary to produce New Zealand industry-standard, farm-scale, freshwater Farm Environment Plans for dairy, beef, sheep and arable farms.
These plans will identify existing and potential soil, greenhouse gas, pathogen and nutrient loss pathways, the sources of these losses and provide justification of a range of options to mitigate the impact of the farm system on freshwater bodies.
The course was developed with the support of the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand (FANZ).
What you'll get
Successful participants will receive a Massey University Certificate of Completion in Advanced Freshwater Farm Planning and have this achievement and 15 credits added to their academic record at Massey.
Prerequisites
This course is suited to individuals with a bachelor's degree, preferably with some qualifications in soil science and interested in farm environment planning. Students are required to have completed our Intermediate Freshwater Farm Planning
or
be able to demonstrate existing skills and experience in Farm Environment Planning.
Completion of our Advanced Sustainable Nutrient Management course is desirable
or
demonstrate high-level skills and experience in nutrient management, and the use and interpretation of OverseerFM nutrient budgets.
The demonstration includes providing:
- an academic transcript stating your undergraduate and postgraduate courses studied so that Massey can verify your soil science background
- a detailed description of your skills and experience in:
1) nutrient management and the use and interpretation of OverseerFM nutrient budgets
2) Farm Environment Planning, concerning previous work experience and name of companies/employers who can verify this experience.
You also need to provide a copy of a recently written Farm Environment Plan, as an example, demonstrating your land management, nutrient management and mitigation knowledge and skills. This plan will be kept confidential and deleted after review.
Learning outcomes
Integrate concepts, tools and skills developed in the Intermediate Farm Environment Planning course and develop comprehensive Freshwater Farm Environment Plans for dairy, sheep, beef and arable farms. The plans must consider the farm system, the farmer and associated stakeholders.
Course content and structure
Assessments
| Assessment type | Assessment title | Weighting (%) | Link to learning outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written assignment | A series of online quizzes, technical: freshwater Farm Environment Plan concepts and components | 5 | 1 |
| Written assignment | Report, technical: Freshwater Farm Environment Plan 1 | 25 | 1 |
| Written assignment | Report, technical: Freshwater Farm Environment Plan 2 | 30 | 1 |
| Written assignment | Report, technical: Freshwater Farm Environment Plan 3 | 35 | 1 |
| Written assignment | Written assessment, reflection | 5 | 1 |
Requirements to successfully complete the course
Participants must achieve an overall minimum of 50% in the quizzes and written assessments.
Registrations
For all course enquiries and to register your interest, please email Fiona Bardell at F.M.Bardell@massey.ac.nz.
Contact information
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