Intermediate Freshwater Farm Planning

Overview

This course was developed with the support of the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand (FANZ). It will provide the participant with the knowledge and integrated skills necessary to produce a base New Zealand industry-standard, farm-scale, freshwater Farm Environment Plan.

What you'll get

Successful participants will receive a Massey University Certificate of Completion in Intermediate Freshwater Farm Planning and have this achievement and 10 credits added to their academic records.

Prerequisites

Participants must have completed Intermediate Sustainable Nutrient Management in New Zealand Agriculture

or
have in the previous 3 years passed the Massey University course 189362 Integrated Farm and Environmental Management or the Lincoln University course SOSC340 Advanced Soil Management with a B grade or higher.

or
be able to demonstrate skills and experience in nutrient management and the use of OverseerFM.
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 nutrient management and the use of OverseerFM nutrient budgets, with reference to previous work experience and name of companies/employers who can verify this experience.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the key factors and issues to be considered in a freshwater Farm Environment Plan.
• Explain the role of geology in soil stability and the risk of sediment loss.
• Interpret the Land Use Capability index and the Land Resource Inventory for soil resource management.
• Identify key erosion types and sources of sediment, nutrient and pathogen loss.
• Describe the consequences of erosion, sediment, nutrient and pathogen losses.
• Explain the benefits and effectiveness of mitigation strategies to reduce sediment, nutrient and pathogen losses.
• Develop a plan to identify and implement mitigation strategies.
• Develop a desktop farm environment plan for freshwater.

Course content and structure

Participants will examine the purpose of a freshwater Farm Environment Plan in relation to government policies and acquaint themselves with:

• systems used to classify landscape units
• different types of soil erosion
• sources of sediment
• nutrient and pathogen loss
• options available to mitigate these losses.

Participants will be introduced to the spatial mapping of relevant physical features and observed soil erosion, sediment, nutrient and pathogen loss issues through virtual field trips, which will be integrated throughout the course. Participants will be able to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills by creating a desktop Farm Environment Plan report.

Assessments

Requirements to successfully complete the course

Achieve an overall minimum of 50% in the online 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