Home >Careers & Qualifications >Agriculture & Rural Services >Production Horticulture

Overview

This industry includes potato, tomato, root and green vegetable production as well as herb growing.

This industry also includes berry fruit growing, citrus growing, sun-drying fruit and grapes, vineyard operation and fruit harvesting.

Production horticulture is a very diverse industry which can provide an interesting and exciting career for those seeking outdoor work involving growing and harvesting fruit or vegetables.

Production horticulture businesses produce fresh and dried fruit and vegetables for local markets, processing and exporting. The range of produce is vast and could include many varieties of different fruits, nuts and vegetables.

Many production horticulture businesses operate as farms growing vegetables, while others are based on extensive orchards. Some businesses are intensive and grow fruit, vegetables and mushrooms in controlled environmental conditions.

The wide variation in methods of fruit and vegetable cultivation means that qualifications are available under either an agriculture or horticulture designation.

Work in the production horticulture industry can be divided into six levels. These levels also relate to training and qualifications.

The titles for those who work at these levels are:

Level	Job Role	Recommended Qualification
Level 2	Farm Hand	Certificate II in Production Horticulture
Level 3	Production Horticulture Tradesperson	Certificate III in Production Horticulture
Level 4	Production Horticulture Supervisor	Certificate IV in Production Horticulture
Level 5	Production Horticulture Manager	Diploma of Production Horticulture
Level 6	Production Horticulture Business Manager	Advanced Diploma of Production Horticulture

Level 2 – Farmhand

A farmhand is likely to be involved in a wide range of growing and harvesting tasks under limited supervision.

Work undertaken as a farmhand could include:

tractor driving
caring for crops
harvesting crops
preparing crops for sale
propagating plants
maintaining irrigation systems

There are a number of ways to get work as a farmhand. Many production horticulture farmhands begin working on a property as assistant farmhands. Once they develop their skills and knowledge they can undertake the role of a farmhand.

With production horticulture farmhand traineeships you will also start training as an assistant farmhand before moving on to work as a farmhand.

Individuals with general agricultural experience are often able to obtain work as farmhands in the production horticulture industry on a casual basis to assist with planting and harvesting.

The qualifications for farmhands who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on-the-job are the Certificate II in Horticulture (Production Horticulture) or the Certificate II in Agriculture (Production Horticulture).

Priority skills areas for working as a farmhand include operating tractors and equipment, undertaking irrigation activities, establishing and maintaining crops and treating weeds, pests and diseases.

Level 3 – Production Horticulture Tradesperson

A production horticulture tradesperson has responsibility for a number of workers and planting, growing and harvesting activities.

Work undertaken by a production horticulture tradesperson could include:

operating advanced and specialised machinery
coordinating crop planting and maintenance
harvesting crops
processing produce
installing irrigation and drainage
controlling weeds and pests
constructing glasshouses and shade houses

There are several ways to get work as a production horticulture tradesperson. Most of them have either progressed from working as farmhands or have completed a Level 3 Traineeship in Production Horticulture which involves formal learning while working on-the-job.

The qualifications for production horticulture tradespersons who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on-the-job are the Certificate III in Horticulture (Production Horticulture) or the Certificate III in Agriculture (Production Horticulture).

Priority skills areas for working as a production horticulture tradesperson include preparing field soils for planting, implementing crop plantings and maintenance programs, coordinating harvesting and supervising work site activities.

Level 4 – Production Horticulture Supervisor

The production horticulture supervisor is likely to have significant responsibilities in managing planting, growing and harvesting activities.

These responsibilities include:

developing a plant nutrition program
managing irrigation
developing canopy management and crop regulation programs
supervising crop harvesting
supervising machinery maintenance, supplies and services
operating a budget
promoting plant health

There are a number of ways to get work as a production horticulture supervisor. Most of them have worked as farmhands and tradespersons and have been engaged as production horticulture supervisors after demonstrating leadership and organisational skills. Others have completed a Level 4 Traineeship in Production Horticulture which involves formal learning while working on-the-job.

The qualifications for production horticulture supervisors who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on-the-job are the Certificate IV in Horticulture (Production Horticulture) or the Certificate IV in Agriculture (Production Horticulture).

Priority skills areas for working as a production horticulture supervisor include developing plant nutrition programs, supervising staff, machinery and supplies and operating within a budget.

Level 5 – Production Horticulture Manager

The production horticulture manager is likely to have significant responsibilities in managing growing and harvesting and related property activities.

The responsibilities of this position include:

managing business operations
developing planting programs and production plans
managing weed, pest and disease infestations
maintaining, monitoring and evaluating irrigation systems
managing plant health
managing controlled growing environments

To work at this level, you will need a high degree of business acumen, leadership skills and knowledge about fruit or vegetable growing, harvesting and marketing.

The qualifications for production horticulture managers who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on-the-job are the Diploma in Horticulture (Production Horticulture) or the Diploma in Agriculture (Production Horticulture).

Priority skills areas for working as a production horticulture manager include developing planting programs and production plans, preparing and monitoring budgets and financial reports and managing business operations.

Level 6 – Production Horticulture Business Manager