Agriculture Horticulture Trades Academy
12AHTA Course DescriptionTeacher in Charge: Mrs B. Dyer, Mr B. Harris.
Recommended Prior LearningUnderstanding of basic farm skills, health and safe work practices on farm, theoretical understanding of farm processes and farm employment practices.
The aim of this course is to help you learn basic skills which will be required in the Primary Sector. We aim to teach you a mix of skills which can be used in both the Agriculture and Horticulture sector. If you complete the required course you will gain a Trades recognised Level 2 Primary Industries ITO Certificate.
This course will run over three lines of the timetable.
Students will be interviewed for this course and will be asked to write an application. Commitment to course completion will need to be agreed to.
This is a Unit Standards course and those who choose the course will not be able to choose either 12 Agriculture or 12 Horticulture.
There will be one day of week required for work experience, students can choose their own agriculture or horticulture based placement, or the school will help you find one. 
Course Overview
Term 1
Health and Safety on the farm = learning to log issues on farm and how to prevent accidents. This is a large unit and will take all year to complete while working on other projects.
Tractor safety and legal requirements - understand safe practices while driving tractors
Learning to attach and detach a PTO - a great skill to know and be able to do safely.
Handling livestock - drenching and weighing stock on the farm.
Weeding and maintenance - ensuring that the farm is being maintained so that weeds do not take over which can reduce feed and product quality.
Summer pruning- start doing a little work on the orchard pruning plums.
trips to outside providers
Term 2
Handling livestock - animal health skills and weighing.
Tractor practice - continues practice on the tractors to build competence
Water trough assembly - learning how to assemble water trough accessories in order to set up a water trough on farm.
Fencing - completing fencing tasks such as tying knots, rolling out wires, battons, posts etc.
Trips to outside providers
Term 3
Winter pruning - we will start on pruning the rest of the orchard. You will learn about fruit wood and how to promote sweeter, larger fruit through pruning
weeding - around the farm for maintenance
Understanding bee pollination - you will look at the importance of bees for pollination both in pasture and in an orchard.
Term 4
Completion of units
Assessment Information
All unit standards must be completed and passed in order to gain the Trades Certificate. 40 credits is the minimum amount required.
Agricultural Technician, Statistician, Arborist, Automotive Technician, Farmer/Farm Manager, Biosecurity Officer, Butcher, Farm Assistant, Science Technician, Crop Worker, Forest Manager, Forestry and Logging Worker, Forestry Scientist, Groundsperson, Health and Safety Adviser, Nursery Grower/Worker, Packhouse Worker
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery1 B8, pens Gumboot socks are required.
You are welcome to bring your own overalls and gumboots