CERTIFICATE IN ORGANIC GROWING
A Programme in Biological and Sustainable Food Production
Organics is a fledgling industry with a high growth and export potential. Current demand for organic food exceeds supplies as more people realise the importance of supporting more sustainable land use practices. Organics is the choice for the future.
The programme is based at Seven Oaks, the Horticultural Training Centre of Christchurch Polytechnic (10 minutes to the city centre by bike).
The organic site has full Bio-Gro Certification since 1991.
Features
- individual student gardens
- commercial vegetable beds
- three greenhouses
- diverse, multi-purpose shelter plantings
- nut trees
- permaculture chicken-orchard
- New Zealand natives
- large composting site
- herb garden
- educational pathway
To enable the students to:
- acquire a sound level of practical skills and theoretical knowledge of organic, non-polluting and sustainable methods and techniques of food growing;
- use methods of self learning which permit the individual to continue acquiring more information and skills;
- develop group and communication skills, self-confidence and ability to work as a team;
- increase their environment awareness.
It is usually completed in one year (two semesters) of full time study, but may be studied part time as well. The programme is structured in units, including:
- Principles of Organic Growing
- Organic Orchard Management
- Plant Propagation/Nursery
- Organic Greenhouse Management
- Machinery and Tools
- Crop Nutrition
- Plant Science
- The Living Soil
- Organic Pest and Weed management
- Organic Livestock Husbandry
- Marketing, Certification, Small Business Skills
- Permaculture
In the second half of the programme, students can specialise in the areas of orcharding, nursery, permaculture and green house production.
Each unit is assessed independently and has to be passed to qualify for the Certificate in Organic Growing.
The balance between theoretical and practical work is approximately 50-50. Field trips are an essential part of the programme. A large number of organic gardens, farms and other places of interest to the course will be visited.There are six weeks of work experience during the programme.
Students in this programme will be able to take advantage of the increasing trend towards organics, either by becoming able to run their own certified organics business or by acquiring the skills to become employable in the organics industry.
Students will also be able to use their knowledge and skills to become fully self-sufficient or run their home garden 100% organically.
Successful students will receive the Christchurch Polytechnic Certificate in Organic Growing.
We are working together with the organics industry and have the endorsement of the NZ Biological Producers and Consumers Council, the NZ Bio-Dynamic Association and numerous certified growers in Canterbury.
The teaching staff is a team of experienced tutors working with many years involvement in organics, who take their specialist units.
The programme starts in late January and finishes in late November. There are 36 weeks of tuition and work experience in the programme.
The Southern Seed Exchange is also associated with the Organic Horticulture Section.
ALL ENQUIRIES TO:
The Science And Computing Department
Christchurch Polytechnic
Te Whare Runanga O Otautahi
PO Box 22 095
Tel: (03)364 9037 Fax:(03)364 9648
