Introduction to the Waikato region
The purpose of this course is to introduce the Waikato region and provide a high-level overview of the topics that need to be considered in a freshwater farm plan.
The course, will enable learners to:
- understand the context for freshwater farm planning in the Waikato region
- explain national and regional legislation relevant to freshwater farm planning
- understand the factors to consider for certification of freshwater farm plans in the Waikato region
Tangata whenua
The purpose of this course is to enable learners to effectively evaluate (within a freshwater farm plan) the suitability of the actions associated with iwi cultural values for a particular area.
The course, will enable learners to:
- gain a better understanding of Māori perspectives within the Waikato region
- understand how iwi cultural values relate to freshwater farm plans
- apply learnings to farm plan actions
Land and soils
The purpose of this course is to enable learners to understand and take into account the varying properties of the landscape, associated soils and climate. Learners should understand the risk to freshwater when landscape features are combined with farm activities. These should be recognised when assessing and certifying the prioritised actions within a freshwater farm plan.
The course, will enable learners to:
- understand the risk to freshwater of the landscape features – land and soils
- identify the key aspects of land and soils
- explain how the management of land and soil interacts with freshwater (within a farm system)
- explain and apply regulations relevant to land and soils
- apply learnings of land and soil management in a farm plan context
Waterbodies
The purpose of this course is to enable learners to understand the contaminant risks to waterbodies from farming activities and effectively evaluate (within a freshwater farm plan) the suitability of actions associated with the management of waterbodies. To be confident that the actions prescribed appropriately address the risk to freshwater and freshwater ecosystems whilst also satisfying regulatory requirements.
The course, will enable learners to:
- understand the impact of contaminants to freshwater
- understand different management activities and their associated risks to freshwater and freshwater ecosystems
- provide guidance on the key rules and regulations associated with waterbodies
- apply learnings of waterbody management in a farm plan context
Effluent
The purpose of this course is to enable learners to effectively evaluate (within a freshwater farm plan) the suitability of actions associated with the management of effluent. It will also enable learners to ensure actions appropriately address the risks to freshwater and freshwater ecosystems and to satisfy regulatory requirements.
The course, will enable learners to:
- understand the risk to freshwater of inadequate effluent management
- explain and apply regional regulations relevant to dairy effluent
- analyse the key aspects of dairy effluent systems (shed to pasture)
- explain key learnings on the application of dairy effluent to soils
- apply learnings (of farm dairy efluent) to farm plan actions
