12HRT

Commercial Production (Ag and Hort)

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mrs B. Dyer.

The New Zealand economy is reliant on the Agriculture and Horticulture sector.  Therefore there are an incredible array of jobs available for students.  There are many scholarships available and job offers are common. Students who love plants and animals and the environment but may not want to be farmers this is the course for you.  There are hundreds of different well paying roles and not enough New Zealanders to fill them. 

Students learn about sustainable practices which can lead to amazing jobs within ecology, environmental science and government.  Soils, biodiversity and plant science are all learning which are critical for environmental type jobs.  

At the beginning of the year, Mrs Dyer will talk to the students and find out whether they are interested in learning about plants or animals (or both).  Then in term 3, students can choose to either learn plant management practices or they can choose to learn about Animal behaviour on farms.  If they choose plant management practices, then the exam will be linked to this, if they choose animal behaviour, then the exam on livestock management practices will be chosen.  

This course is mainly an Achievement Standard course and has a report writing aspect.  There are two practical standards added to the course to enhance sensory learning as this builds and cements learning in a theoretical sense.  It gives the student a deeper and more personal understanding.      

Students will have their own gardens to create and design, you will also be involved in some pruning activities, grafting and propagating.  Trips will be included in this course.  


Course Overview

Term 1
Creating and designing a garden from scratch - you will design this garden using flowers and vegetables, it is to look like a council garden.
Design a Landscape for the school farm and be part of actually doing it over the next few terms

Term 2
Carry out an investigation - depending on availability we will raise layer hen chicks, (which you can buy at the end, or we sell). Otherwise students can choose a horticulture investigation which they are interested in.
Students can choose to learn about animal behaviours and how this influences animal growth and production or they can choose to learn about how different practices in a horticulture situation influences the quality and quantity of produce.
All of these are based on commercial farms, orchards, nurseries.

Term 3
Plant or animal management practices written project.
The exam topic will depend on whether students choose to do plant production or animal production -

Term 4
Physical factors and their impact on plant or animal growth exam

Recommended Prior Learning

Plant and animal science learning from 11 Hort or 11 Science is useful.  

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

1B8 and pens. Gumboot socks are a requirement.

Pathway

Agriculture and Horticulture science, production, engineering. forestry science, ecology, climate science, veterinary, equine, agriculture and horticulture consultant, agronomist, plant and animal breeder, animal science, veterinary nurse

Assessment Information

This is an Achievement standards course with writing components. However, the practical aspects of the course help to enhance the writing, making the learning more personal. While there is a 10 credit unit standard course, this is not passed until the garden is complete about mid way through the year.

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

Total Credits Available: 27 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 4 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 23 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
U.S. 21027 v5
NZQA Info
Plant and maintain displays of bedding plants
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 10
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 29502 v2
NZQA Info
Plant out by hand
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91289 v2
NZQA Info
Agricultural and Horticultural Science 2.1 - Carry out an extended practical agricultural or horticultural investigation
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91290 v2
NZQA Info
Agricultural and Horticultural Science 2.2 - Demonstrate understanding of techniques used to modify physical factors of the environment for NZ plant production
Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91292 v2
NZQA Info
Agricultural and Horticultural Science 2.4 - Demonstrate understanding of how management practices influence plant growth and development in NZ commercial production
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 27
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Total Numeracy Credits: 0