Taruna College New Zealand is a centre for Adult Education offering an exciting range of formal and informal holistic courses and subjects inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner PhD. such as: Waldorf Teacher Education, Biodynamic Organic Agriculture, Anthroposophical Nursing, Art of Health and Coaching and Biography Workshops.

Taruna Tutor Wins
Prestigious Tutor of the Year Award.

John Ridout, Programme Director of the Taruna Certificate of Applied Organics and Biodynamics was won the NZAPEP* Tutor of the Year award for his outstanding work over the last three years in the creation and delivery of a very special programme that has been successful at all levels.

*The New Zealand Association of Private Education Providers has over 360 member institutions, representing 35,000 tertiary students and 7,000 staff.

From 2001 to 2004 John was the Programme Director for the Diploma in Biodynamic / Organic Agriculture, a one-year fulltime programme offered by Taruna. This programme was much appreciated by the students and the subsequent employers of our graduates – but there was a decreasing number of students enrolling each year, in spite of the increasing level of interest in organic farming.

During these years John was also working as a consultant / assessor for organic and Biodynamic standard setting / accreditation bodies, and has extensive networks with current and future organic farmers, plus the various associations and groups throughout New Zealand. Through his experiences with such a wide number of people, John was acutely aware of what was needed, and what are the hindrances and challenges for people in this sector.

In 2004 John made a compelling case to the Taruna College Trust for the development funds to develop an entirely new programme, which would provide what no other provider is offering, and would meet the needs of students who:

• Could be living anywhere in New Zealand.
• Have responsibility for land, and wish to convert it to organic or Biodynamic management
• Are not able to study full-time.
• Need a training that is directly applicable to their individual situation [immediate farm environment, use of land (animals, cropping, orchard etc)]

The result of this was the development and NZQA accreditation of the one-year Certificate in Applied Organics and Biodynamics, which started in 2005 with 12 students (the maximum number to ensure quality learning). In 2006 this programme doubled to two groups of 12 students, who come from throughout New Zealand, including two from Australia and another two from the U.S.

What has made the Certificate in Applied Organics and Biodynamics so successful is the following elements:

• The content is delivered in three 8-day seminars, scheduled with 12-week breaks.
• These seminars are held at the stunningly beautiful Hohepa property which is New Zealand’s leading Biodynamic farm, and draws on the expertise of three Biodynamic farmers who have over 60 years of organic / biodynamic experience between them
• All the home-based assignments are directly related to the student’s own land, and everything they do is the preparatory work that culminates with their final assignment – namely a comprehensive organic / biodynamic management plan for their land. This management plan is the essential element for anyone wishing to gain organic or biodynamic certification.
• Our tutors (in most cases it will be John) will spend a whole day with each student at their land. This visit is part of the programmes assessment process, but more importantly the student will be able to discuss the unique challenges they are facing with their land with a experienced practitioner – and it is this home-visit that attracts particularly high praise from the students.
• A wide variety of tutors are brought in to share their knowledge and skills. These are invariably national or international leaders in their field of expertise. It is because of John’s personal relationship that they agree to leave their land to teach at the seminars, or host the students to visit as a field trip.

John has studied and practised adult education for many years, both in New Zealand and the U.K. He is an excellent classroom teacher, with a deep understanding of the nature of individual and group learning processes. This is reflected in the daily rhythms of the programme, which work with the head, heart and hands – each at the best time of day.

John is also a creative teacher, and the Certificate in Applied Organics and Biodynamics contains healthy doses of music, artistic sessions – and a great emphasis is placed on having fun. The students who have travelled from afar, are provided with accommodation at Hohepa, and this living together over the time of the seminars results in great group dynamics, and helps foster a strong supportive culture.

As part of the accreditation process, a variety of stakeholders were asked provide supportive letters. These stakeholders are either national standard-setting bodies and associations, or employers – and each gave the programme their full support. This support is primarily based on their respect for both Taruna as a training provider, and in particular to John – whom they all know.

The Certificate in Applied Organics and Biodynamics is playing an important role in the fast growing and important organic movement. It’s success is a tribute to John’s passion and commitment to provide a programme that is of the highest quality, yet is flexible and adaptable to a wide variety of agricultural enterprises and locations.