Event Details

Location

This 5 day intensive will be run at Massey University in the Syndicate Room in Palmerston North.

Field Site

Live to Give will host the field learning component of Hort 201. Their operation is, in our view, one of the clearest and most inspiring examples of biology-first regenerative farming in Aotearoa, and an ideal living system for participants to learn first hand how they implement their mulching systems at scale, incorporating the four pillars of soil fertility: permanent cover, permanent roots, minimal soil invasion and maximum biodiversity.

Who It's For

Hort 201 is an advanced course that builds directly on the foundations of Hort 101, equipping growers with advanced tools to manage soil and plant health at a professional level.

Designed for, Hort 101 graduates or equivalent, Commercial growers and orchardists, Farm managers responsible for decision-making, Specialist growers (kiwifruit, avocados, vegetables, vineyards), Future mentors or consultants.

Post-Course Support

Participants gain access to online mentoring and a peer-to-peer network for continued support after completion.

Why It Matters

Conventional agriculture has depleted soil health. This course equips growers with soil science knowledge and practical tools to restore ecosystems, improve farm profitability, reduce inputs, increase biodiversity, and build climate resilience through regenerative horticulture.

Outcome:Growers leave Hort 201 with the confidence to diagnose complex issues, design site-specific solutions, and strengthen resilience and profitability in their farms.

What you’ll learn:

• Nutrient Cycles – how nutrients move and interact in soil systems.
• Corrective Applications – chemistry of acids, alkalis, compatible inputs.
• Professional Monitoring – advanced soil and leaf analysis; application methods (banding, broadcasting, liquid injection, seed coatings).
• Crop-Specific Solutions – tailored modules for commercial crops, reinforced through visits to operational farms.
• Advanced Theory Modules – Soil Balancing, Crop Nutrition, Plant & Soil Health, Pest & Disease, and Nutrient Removal programmes.
  

Hort 201 – Advanced

Take your practice to the next level.

Hort 201 is our advanced training programme, designed for those who have completed Hort 101 or already have equivalent experience. Where Hort 101 introduces the building blocks of biology-first horticulture, Hort 201 dives deeper into diagnostics, decision-making, and crop-specific strategies that can be applied in commercial contexts. It is a five-day intensive that blends in-depth theory with field-based learning and case studies from successful operations.

In this course, participants learn how to interpret soil and leaf tests at a professional level, building the skills to diagnose complex nutrient and microbial imbalances. They gain a deeper understanding of how nutrients move and interact in soil ecosystems, and how corrective amendments can be mixed and applied safely and effectively. Advanced monitoring techniques are taught in detail, with a focus on comparing different methods — banding, broadcasting, liquid injection, and seed coatings — so growers can confidently choose the right tool for their context.

The course also includes crop-specific modules that look closely at the unique requirements of different horticultural sectors, including kiwifruit, avocados, vineyards, and vegetables. These modules are reinforced through visits to commercial operations, where participants see how regenerative practices are applied at scale. Alongside the practical work, participants engage with advanced theoretical frameworks, including the Soil Balancing Programme, Crop Nutrient Programme, Plant and Soil Health Programme, Pest and Disease Programme, and Nutrient Removal Programme. Together, these frameworks provide a comprehensive toolkit for designing whole-system farm strategies.

Hort 201 is not just about theory; it is about giving growers practical tools to refine management decisions in ways that improve both resilience and profitability. Graduates leave with the confidence to design farm-specific programmes, balancing inputs with biological processes, and implementing strategies that maintain yields while reducing risk. As with Hort 101, all participants are supported by mentoring and the alumni network, ensuring that learning continues beyond the course and that changes in practice are backed by ongoing support.