New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 4) (Crop Production or Livestock Production) - Biological Husbandry Unit (BHU)

COH200  Factors influencing the development of organic horticulture in New Zealand (10 credits)
This paper provides the theoretical foundation necessary for students to apply to the development of a viable organic horticulture venture. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Analyse the influence of social and cultural factors development of organic horticulture in New Zealand.
2. Describe the relationship between land management requirements and the development of organic horticulture in New Zealand.
3. Compare the factors which influence the viability of an organic horticulture venture in New Zealand.

COH201 Biotic and abiotic interactions within organic ecosystems (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to discern the role of biotic and abiotic factors in the lifecycle of an organic production ecosystem. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

1. Describe a full growing season for a specific organic horticulture production, including product lifecycle stages.
2. Explain the influence of biotic and abiotic interactions on an organic production ecosystem.
3. Compare the biotic and abiotic limiting factors for a specific organic horticulture production.

COH202  Characteristics of successful organic primary production (10 credits)
This paper introduces students to success factors within organic horticulture production, including the role of exporting organic horticulture products. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Characterise a successful organic horticulture product in New Zealand.
2. Compare and contrast organic certification, organic exporter registration, and the Official Organic Assurance Programme in New Zealand.
3. Describe the development of organic horticultural exports in New Zealand.

COH203 Integrating organic principles in primary production (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate organic principles into primary production activities. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

1. Describe the principles of biodiversity, integration, sustainability, natural plant nutrition, natural pest management and the relevance of these to organic horticulture production.
2. Explain the role of the principles of organic agriculture as identified by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) with regard to organic horticulture production in New Zealand.
3. Examine an organic horticulture product in New Zealand with respect to the integration of organic principles throughout the product’s growing season.

COH205  Soil and soil nutrient management (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate soil health status and establish a nutrient management regime for organic horticulture production. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Evaluate soil health status, including factors positively or negatively impacting on the soil health status, at a specific production area.
2. Identify nutrient management strategies, compliant with organic production principles, to either maintain, or improve, the existing soil health status at a specific production area.

COH206   Composting (10 credits)
This paper introduces students to composting techniques and provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake composting activities for organic horticulture production. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe composting and identify different types of composting activities.
2. Evaluate the potential for different composting activities relevant to a specific organic horticulture production operation.
3. Establish a management plan for the introduction of composting activities within a specific organic horticulture production operation.

The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen, resident/permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost per credit of study undertaken, plus a non-refundable administration cost of $50 for each application processed, and the required textbook/s listed below. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Zero Fees Scheme – applies to NZ citizens and residents/permanent residents (residing in NZ). Cost (NZ$) $7.00 per credit + admin cost of $50.00 per application (e.g. $700.00 for 100 credit course) - includes GST

International Students 

International student fees can be found here

$100.00 per credit

Payments must be paid by the due date shown on the invoice.

Withdrawals & Transfers

• Early withdrawals within the first week of the intake starting are entitled to a full refund of the Student Direct Material Costs but not the non-refundable administration fee of $50.
• Withdrawals have to be requested within 75% of the intake, withdrawals after the early withdrawal date are not eligible for a refund.
• Transfer requests have to be within the first two weeks of the intake starting and will incur a $50 transfer fee. Transfers can only occur to a subsequence intake within the same calendar year.

All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink. Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz.

Graduates of this qualification are likely to be employed as an: organic orchard/vineyard supervisor or leading hand, organic crop supervisor or team leader, organic crop monitor, organic nursery specialist, organic farm production manager.

Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2 as follows:

• 60 credits at Level 2 or above, plus
• 20 credits from any level, and

Literacy – minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or above through either:

• specified assessment standards available through a range of subjects and English for Academic Purposes unit standards 22750 and 22751 (minimum total of 10 credits); or
• unit standards – package of three literacy unit standards (26622, 26624, 26625 – all three required).

Numeracy – a minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or above through either:

• achievement standards – specified assessment standards available through a range of subjects (minimum total of 10 credits), or
• unit standards – package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required).

Mature Applicants 
Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 2 or above and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate.  Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment

IELTS test - General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 530 (with an essay score of 4.5 TWE) 
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) 
Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill. 
OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests 
NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) 
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 
Language Cert - B2 Communicator IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill 
Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than pass in any band

* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current

This programme of study is supported by the Biological Husbandry Unit Organic Farm located in Lincoln. Information about the Biological Husbandry Unit can be found at: https://www.bhu.org.nz/ or by calling their office at 03 325 3684

Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with.  Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.

• I have read all sections of the Programme Information on this page
• I have read the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questionssection
• I have met all admission criteria for the programme (found under Application Criteria)
• I have met all the criteria for individual papers (found under Course Content).
• I have selected the paper(s) I wish to study
• I have selected intake(s) (I have selected alternate intakes rather than overlapping intakes)
• I know my intended payment method
• If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed and approved purchase order to attach to my online application.  I am aware that should my organisation or company not pay my fees, these will become my responsibility.
• I have completed and attached a cross credit form (if applying for a cross credit)
• New students – I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling in or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application.
• New students – I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates).  These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience).
• I have computer access,  an Internet connection and access to software to create electronic documents e.g. Microsoft Word or Open Office

What is the Zero Fees Scheme?

The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay and a non-refundable administration fee. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.

Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?

• A New Zealand citizen completing the full qualification or 
• An Australian citizen/New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident who will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of your enrolment.

Instructions to help you with your application:

1. Read the Programme Information on this page and the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions and find out if you meet the application criteria for both the programme and the unit/s you wish to study.
2. Check your eligibility for Zero Fees. If you are not eligible to study under this scheme, please call 
   0800 748 257 for further options.
3. Complete your online enrolment checking that:

If you are a new student …

• Provide an active NSN number in the name you are enrolling in (contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 to get your NSN number if you do not know it);
• If you do not have an active NSN, then attach a copy of your verified ID in the name you are enrolling in.
• If you are a Resident or Permanent resident of NZ, please provide a copy of proof of residency;
• Attach all academic documentation to support your application including copies of any certificates of courses you have undertaken / NZQA record of achievement / transcripts / CV;

Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.

1. Please check that you have included all the required information and supporting documents.  Your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide.  Missing information will delay the processing of your application.
2. Please scan and email all additional documentation to sit2lrn@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

• You will receive an automatic email confirmation when we receive your online application. Processing may take up to three weeks. However, we will get in touch with you sooner if we require further documentation.
• Once your application has been accepted you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance with an invoice and instructions on how to make payment.
• Once we have received your payment (or if you have opted to pay by Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order) you will be sent an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet. Closer to the start of the intake you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter which will give you all the necessary information, tools and guidance to start your study with us.

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 4) (Crop Production, Livestock Production), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

• A minimum of 60 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 4) (Crop Production, Livestock Production).
• The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 4) (Crop Production, Livestock Production) full-time over 6 months or part-time over 2 years.

Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.

The assessments in this programme are typically short paragraph questions. You will also need to draft a permaculture plan. There are no external exams for this course.