Freshwater Risk Management From Horticultural Production Micro-credential
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Why Freshwater Risk Management From Horticultural Production ?
This micro-credential builds learners’ knowledge and practical capability to identify, assess, and manage risks to freshwater arising from horticultural production. Delivered by Fruition Horticulture in partnership with Horticulture New Zealand, the programme supports the industry to respond proactively to environmental responsibilities and regulatory expectations.
Participants will develop the skills to identify freshwater risks within horticultural operations, apply practical mitigation strategies, and make informed recommendations to strengthen on-farm environmental management. Learning is applied and industry-focused, combining classroom discussion, online engagement, and an onsite production visit.
The programme involves approximately 100 hours of mixed-mode learning delivered over four weeks, with up to three months to complete and submit assessments.
The cost of this programme in 2026 is $640 including GST.
Hamilton start date: Thursday 28 May 2026
Horowhenua start date: Friday 25 September 2026
- Face-to-face and online
- Under 3 months to receive your micro credential
- 10 credits on the NZ Qualifications Framework at Level 4
Acknowledgment
Financial support has been received to develop the course from the Essential Freshwater Fund, which is administered by the Ministry for the Environment.
Why This Course Could Change Your Career
- Build practical capability to assess and manage freshwater risks within real horticultural production systems.
- Strengthen your understanding of environmental compliance and industry codes of practice.
- Develop the confidence to identify critical source areas and prioritise mitigation actions.
- Gain skills valued by growers, advisors and auditors across the horticultural sector.
Meet Your
Course Tutor
Sandy Scarrow
Bachelor of Horticultural Science
Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture, Business and Administration
Sandy was born into a horticultural family and made production horticulture her career when, after graduating with a Bachelor of Horticultural Science from Massey, she began working as a Horticultural Advisor with MAF 36 years ago. Over that time, Sandy has worked with growers and the wider industry to implement technological changes that have lifted production and improved other outputs.
About the micro-credential Freshwater Risk Management From Horticultural Production
LO 1: Assess the potential risks from horticultural production activities on freshwater values and uses, and evaluate their impact on ecosystem health.
LO 2: Assess and prioritise on-farm biophysical and management risk factors that contribute to freshwater risks in horticultural production systems.
LO 3: Recommend appropriate mitigation and monitoring practices to manage freshwater risks in accordance with industry codes of practice and guidance.
Week 1 – Freshwater Values, Ecosystem Health and Catchment Context
In-person class + field visit
- Freshwater values and uses (cultural, social, ecological, economic)
- Mana whenua values and catchment context (CCCVs)
- Ecosystem health indicators (nutrients, sediment, E. coli, dissolved oxygen)
- Understanding cumulative catchment impacts
- Field visit to identify freshwater values, risks and critical source areas
Week 2 – Assessing Biophysical and Management Risk Factors
Online
- Nutrient use and movement (nitrogen leaching, phosphorus runoff)
- Soil types, drainage, erosion and sedimentation
- Irrigation systems and scheduling
- Cultivation and soil disturbance risks
- Farm drains and critical source areas
- Washwater and greenhouse nutrient discharge
- Using industry guidance and tools to assess risk
Week 3 – Managing and Mitigating Freshwater Risks
Online
- Erosion and sediment control practices
- Nutrient management approaches
- Irrigation management and soil moisture monitoring
- Managing drains, washwater and discharge
- Riparian management and limitations
- Monitoring and record-keeping aligned to industry codes
Week 4 – Drop-in Session
Online
- Assessment support
- Risk prioritisation guidance
- Feedback and clarification on mitigation recommendations
Hamilton start date: Thursday 28 May 2026
Horowhenua start date: Friday 25 September 2026
To Apply for the ‘Freshwater Risk Management From Horticultural Production’ micro-credential, fill out the Online Application Form and select ‘Micro-Credential – Assess and manage risks to freshwater from horticultural production‘ as your chosen programme of study.
After receiving your application, we will be in touch within 5 working days to confirm your eligibility and enrolment status.
Get ahead of
environmental risk
Are you confident in identifying and managing freshwater risks in your horticultural operation?
Build practical capability to protect freshwater while strengthening on-farm performance.
Understand freshwater values — cultural, social, ecological and economic — and what they mean for your operation.
Assess biophysical and management risk factors within your own production system.
Develop risk management recommendations you can use immediately within your business.
Identify nutrient and sediment risks from cultivation, irrigation, drains, washwater and greenhouse discharge.
Apply practical mitigation strategies aligned with industry codes of practice and regulatory expectations.
Strengthen your understanding of catchment context and cumulative impacts.