UNIT 1 - Change and opportunity
In this unit students develop their understanding of Australia’s agricultural and horticultural industries and research the opportunities and practical realities of working in the sector. They consider sources of food and fibre indigenous to Victoria prior to European settlement, and current and past perceptions of Australian agricultural and horticultural industries. Students explore contemporary career pathways and professional roles, with a focus on innovation and creative problem solving in the face of change and challenge. Students seek to understand socio-cultural influences on food and fibre practices, and best practice in agriculture and horticulture in terms of climate zones, soil quality, plant and animal selection, workplace health and safety, and the collection and analysis of quality-assurance data. Students undertake practical tasks reflecting best-practice understandings.
Key Skills Achieved:
Analyse relationships between regional climate, soil quality and socio-cultural factors; analyse the changing nature of employment opportunities in Australia’s food and fibre production industries and investigate the effects of change and innovation; describe trends and movements in Australian agriculture and horticulture; demonstrate through practical tasks an analysis of conditions for agricultural and/or horticultural practices; elements of agricultural and horticultural systems: inputs, processes and outputs; consider economic, environmental, social and ethical issues in sustainable agricultural and horticultural businesses; consider health and safety principles in agricultural and horticultural ; consider production cycles in horticultural and agricultural practices; recognise characteristics of productive soil, and techniques for testing soil quality; identify techniques for improving soil quality and minimising soil degradation; recognise advantages and disadvantages of using alternative plant-growing media such as hydroponics and aquaponics
Assessment:
UNIT 2 - Growing plants and animals
In this unit students research plant and animal nutrition, growth and reproduction. They develop an understanding of the conditions in which plants and animals grow and reproduce, and of related issues and challenges. They evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of agricultural or horticultural practices. Students investigate the structure, function, nutrition and growth of plants. They explore animal nutrition and digestion, and growth and development, and make comparisons between production methods. Students research reproductive processes and technologies for both plants and animals within the contexts of food and fibre production. They undertake practical tasks relating to the growth and management of plants and animals.
Key Skills Achieved:
Analyse challenges, issues and solutions in plant and animal production; describe the structure and function of plants and the stages of plant growth, including the effect of plant hormones; debate the importance of seasonality in the production of plants for food compare asexual and sexual plant reproduction or propagation; describe basic plant and animal genetics and the application of breeding programs; evaluate technologies used in agriculture and/or horticulture to improve plant and animal production; demonstrate techniques of plant propagation and the monitoring of plant growth; compare extensive and intensive animal production; compare ruminant, monogastric and avian digestive systems; explain mammalian and avian reproductive systems; describe the stages of animal growth and development, and the nutrient requirements of each stage; demonstrate through practical tasks the management of plants and animals
Assessment:
Prerequisites:
N/A
Recommendations:
N/A
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