New organic programme in Tauranga

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology has an exciting new organic primary production programme starting this July. Sustainability and organic produce is becoming increasingly relevant and this programme gives students practical experience towards achieving a more sustainable future in organic primary production.

The one-year, part-time programme focuses on how to apply organic principles, understanding the certification process and soil and nutrient management and includes two electives: Organic Crop Production or Organic Livestock Production.

“It’s ideal for someone who already has some experience in primary industries but wants to learn more about sustainability and producing organic livestock or produce,” says tutor Ruth McLean.

The new organic primary production programme run by Te Ohomai Technical Institute includes work experience and Saturday on-campus classes.

“It’s an extremely flexible programme – students can complete the online and work experience aspects when it suits them and the on-campus classes are run fortnightly on Saturdays, so it’s certainly an achievable commitment for many people.

“Growing and producing food is an inherently dynamic process; you have to respond to each season and find the best response. I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge with all of our students,” says Ruth.

The work experience element of the programme needs to be carried out on a certified organic property or an in-transition property – ‘in-transition’ is a property that’s registered with an organic certification agency and has begun the conversion process towards being organic certified – and it can be the students’ own property.

The New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production is open for applications and starts July 1.


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