Agriculture or horticulture professional adviser Apprenticeship Standard

Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Agriculture or horticulture professional adviser standard?

Knowledge

K1: Crop husbandry and management of controllable variables and awareness of non-controllable variables (e.g. climate, season and weather)
K2: Current and future research and development related to crop husbandry
K3: Health and Safety and risk analysis, product purpose, label interpretation and application approach
K4: How to minimise the impact of farming operations on water quality and wildlife, protect against soil erosion and understand the necessity to protect field margin habitat for biodiversity in line with policy and legislation from relevant Government departments
K5: Legislation regarding storage and transport of crop protection materials, containers and their disposal in line with policy and legislation from relevant Government departments
K6: The potential impact of changes in political stance (national and international)
K7: How to network and interact with all relevant professional bodies
K8: The current national economic and environmental climate and local area and community influences and demands
K9: Customer and stakeholder needs and expectations and the potential risks associated with the provision of advice
K10: Scope and frequency of advice appropriate to the relationship and role
K11: Internal systems that hold information and data, data filtering processes and GDPR regulations on the storage and use of information
K12: Internal and external customer service standards and complaint management procedures which ensures continued customer engagement
K13: Interpersonal techniques for effective interactions and positive outcomes
K14: Current organisational strategy in relation to customer service, customer loyalty and the legal rights of customers making purchases
K15: Range of communication media (verbal, non-verbal, written, digital) and appropriate interpersonal skills needed for each which meet farmer, grower or colleague preferences or expectations
K16: Outcomes of planning in short, medium- and long-term cycles (strategy) and what is required to implement them (tactics)
K17: The range of organisation, prioritisation, planning and time management techniques available to ensure personal efficiency, including impact of own time management and organisation on others
K18: Own development plan and alignment with company training policy and the changing standards or policy that may occur within the sector
K19: Skills required to be an effective adviser and enhancing own learning style and communication preferences
K20: Mentoring and/or coaching that is available from within the organisation and engaging with all opportunities for personal development
K21: Coaching and mentoring approaches and models to use with others
K22: Business culture, values and standards and the example to be set, their impact on the business and the need to operate to those values
K23: Scope of the potential customer base, the systems available which hold information and data and filtering data according to need
K24: Networking opportunities and the range of influencing factors on customer decision making
K25: Product offer and its measurement against competing products
K26: Chemical and non-chemical intervention methods and application approaches as described in BASIS-FSTS syllabus
K27: Macro and Micro nutritional crop requirements and application approaches as described in BASIS-FACTS syllabus
K28: Farming specific legislation and regulation (e.g. pesticides, product withdrawals, protection zones) and other associated legislation and regulation (e.g. drinking water directive)
K29: Commercial business management requirements for running a typical farming enterprise aligned to Farmer or Grower yield potential and expectations across a range of situations
K30: Precision farming methods, equipment and software tools, their advantages, limitations and suitability for farmer or grower needs
K31: Experimental approaches to evaluate new products, varieties and techniques which may be suitable to local Farmers or Growers
K32: Risk assessment(s) and required action(s) to correct both existing and potential problems or threats
K33: Product manufacture, availability and stock according to seasonal requirements
K34: How to manage personal workload pressures (high:low) associated with a seasonally influenced role
K35: Research and Discovery processes for new active ingredients plus industry stewardship schemes to preserve their efficacy and longevity
K36: Formulation and manufacturing processes of Macro-nutrient fertilisers and Micro-nutrient products and foliar treatments
K37: Weed, insect and disease life cycles of the major pests that threaten UK agricultural or horticultural crops and their management or treatment to minimise yield loss or crop quality reduction
K38: Chemical and physical properties of soil (e.g. pH, cationic exchange, sand, silt, clay or fraction) and their impact on nutrient availability to crops
K39: Pesticide resistance mechanisms that arise in weeds, insects and diseases and the techniques or alternative treatments which can be introduced to overcome or alleviate their impact when they occur
K40: Nutrient deficiency symptoms exhibited by crops and their methods of correction using appropriate Macro and/or Micro nutrient treatment

Skills

S1: Demonstrate clear communication skills with the ability to convey complex information objectively in both verbal and written forms
S2: Utilise up to date information and evidence to challenge views based on outdated or biased rationale
S3: Undertake critical analysis incorporating environmental knowledge with agronomic data to support decision making which creates solutions that meet farmer or customer needs
S4: Calculate any associated cost implications of husbandry advice
S5: Interpret and advise on implications of policy, legislation and best practice
S6: Carry out appropriate risk analysis and provide necessary reports
S7: Maintain accurate and up to date records setting out information relating to customer contact, advice and recommendations and store records in a manner that complies with GDPR principles
S8: Produce reports in a comprehensible format and timely manner
S9: Facilitate (and chair if necessary) meetings to deliver the required outcomes and decisions, adopting the best choice of media for the content being shared with the participants
S10: Comply with Health and Safety regulations and follow farmer and customer protocols and conduct own activities in a manner that protects self, others and the environment from potential harm
S11: Recognise their own working style and the preferred working style or approach of the farmer or customer, adapting own approach to match their needs with the requirements of the activity involved
S12: Build internal and external relationships that are durable, ethically sound, trust-based and where information and advice is shared in a professional and appropriate manner
S13: Build a network of grower contacts and industry stakeholders to gather information and knowledge to enhance own professional development
S14: Utilise time management techniques to organise self, others and activities to maximise personal efficiency and enhance timely delivery of services to the farmer or customer
S15: Evaluate changes to legislation and policy, calculating risks and impacts for Farmers or Growers including logistical and financial implications
S16: Be solutions-focused by recognising the expectations of Farmers or Growers and their key decision-makers and aspire to exceed expectations when opportunities arise
S17: Create and maintain a CPD plan to support learning and development both for themselves (and colleagues for whom they may be managing)
S18: Share good practice or best practice in a way that empowers colleagues and Farmers or Growers to succeed
S19: Analyse, record and present information to produce customer advisory recommendations or to provide customer analysis and business insight
S20: Use data (from own notes or records, Precision Farming sources or 3rd party sources) to analyse and solve farmer or grower problems
S21: Implement and comply with complaints procedures and protocols as stipulated by the business or the farmer or grower
S22: Employ active listening, questioning, summarising and influencing techniques to ensure relevant information and views are understood in order to determine an optimal solution for the farmer or grower
S23: Deal effectively with client, customers and colleagues at every level of the organisation as required by the role
S24: Engage and network proactively with farmer or grower decision-makers and colleagues, including senior management as required, to deliver business outcomes in appropriate time-frames
S25: Conduct effective communication using the best match of style and medium (face-to-face, phone, email, report) when seeking to meet the farmer or grower needs
S26: Align activities against expected outcomes after objectively assessing own capability
S27: Effectively coach and/or mentor others in their personal development and use of effective methods
S28: Review own progress against targets and re-prioritise when required, to ensure service delivery is on target and own short- and long-term goals are being achieved
S29: Effectively manage demands or pressures that could distract from the priorities of the business, the customer or the individuals own personal health and well being
S30: Use a balanced and objective approach with Farmers or Growers when providing advice and through negotiations, by understanding their needs and the value they assign to agronomy and nutrition services, support and advice
S31: Assess fields and crops in a programmed approach, complying with all necessary legislation and crop protocols to provide accurate input recommendations to the Farmer or Grower in a timely and precise manner
S32: Apply an Integrated Pest Management or Integrated Farm Management approach when determining how best to control the weeds, insects and diseases which occur on a Farmer or Growers crops or land
S33: Conduct in-field assessments of soil structure, composition and condition, and collect representative soil sample(s) for laboratory analysis (e.g. nutrient status, organic matter level, presence of contaminant)
S34: Assess the application of a Farmer or Growers crop protection treatment(s) through a hydraulic sprayer to confirm even and accurate application and provide subsequent calibration support or nozzle choice advice to the sprayer operator as may be required
S35: Assess the application of a Farmer or Growers crop nutrition treatment(s) through a granular spreader to confirm even and accurate application and provide subsequent calibration support to the operator as may be required
S36: Engage with the sprayer operator of each Farmer or Grower client (as part of NPTC’s operator training requirement to earn CPD points) and share the rationale about the recommendations and inputs made which the sprayer operator subsequently applied to the crops

Behaviours

B1: Maintain a professional approach to all business dealings and sets an example
B2: Understand the principles, culture and values of associated businesses or organisations - as well as their own - and adjust personal behaviours in line with them
B3: Have considered and understand the impact of the decisions made and factored these in to their own approach
B4: Take an evaluative stance, seeking out a range of relevant information to inform decisions and formulate recommendations
B5: Take responsibility for self and actions, understand own levels of authority and recognise when appropriate to escalate or seek support and assistance
B6: Are open to new developments, research and breakthroughs and are proactive in seeking out information
B7: Endeavour to always share good practice amongst colleagues
B8: Utilise wider knowledge from within the organisation and from outside sources to enhance business relationships
B9: Self-reflect, analyse successes and evaluate areas for improvement and take corrective action where appropriate
B10: Embrace diversity and always demonstrate a fair and ethical approach
B11: Seek feedback as part of continuous personal development and the desire to improve outcomes for customers and are prepared to flex approaches when appropriate
B12: Understand the role of both internal and external relationships, recognise boundaries and follow protocol in order to maintain strong, trusted relationships
B13: Demonstrate punctuality, reliability, trustworthiness and personal responsibility
B14: Personally commit to and take ownership of problems in order to resolve customer issues, bringing satisfaction to the customer and the organisation
B15: Are conscientious and continually seek to deliver on commitments made, managing any expectations of others where service or delivery is in question
B16: Demonstrate objectivity in the provision of advice, input and support to ensure they always deliver a benefit to the farmer, grower or client

Core occupation duties

DUTY: Provide scientific and evidence based agronomic, environmental, legislative and crop husbandry advice to farmers, growers, distributors or other relevant stakeholders

DUTY: Maintain and develop relationships with farmers, growers and external bodies and all those involved with carrying out the agreed actions which arise from the advisory decisions that have been made

DUTY: Assess grower cropping challenges and provide tailored advice (which could encompass crop husbandry decisions, farm business management, adherence to crop production protocols, acquisition of new equipment or changes to cropping patterns)

DUTY: Utilize appropriate Management Information Systems (MIS) to handle, record, manipulate and interrogate data to the benefit of the farmer or grower and the service provider (many of which will be specific to the sector e.g. Gatekeeper or MuddyBoots)

DUTY: Deliver effective and high standards of Customer Care (to farmers, growers and colleagues)

DUTY: Conduct, manage and maintain effective communications with farmers, growers and colleagues using a range of systems and techniques

DUTY: Manage and plan workload and logistics (both for themselves and, where appropriate, for team members and those they may be mentoring or coaching)

DUTY: Maintain and enhance their continuous professional development and knowledge (which will also ensure compliance with the necessary standards and assurances within the Agricultural, Horticultural, Amenity and Food Production sector)

DUTY: Demonstrate the business culture, values and standards of the business in which they are employed within the Agriculture sector (which may be farmer, manufacturer, distributor, services provider or adviser)

DUTY: Develop new relationships with farmers, growers or other key businesses which will result in a wider area of influence, advice and support (N.B. All advisers will experience changes in the group of farmers and growers they support - with retirements or movement in ownership of land - and so must ensure they are adaptable and work with a collection of farmers and growers that will experience change over time. They must be aware of all grower enterprises in the area they work in and build new relationships when existing relationships come to an end.)

Agronomy and precision farming adviser duties

DUTY: The primary aim of an Agronomy and Precision Farming Adviser is to help farmers and growers achieve their target yields and produce quality crops, manage or limit their input costs and support a wide-ranging holistic approach which helps them improve crop production within their wider farming business. The provision of agronomic advice – gleaned from a very wide range of sources and then interpreted and applied to each growers specific farm and crop situation – is a primary skill which requires training and the transfer of knowledge from experienced colleagues. A Professional Adviser must fully focus all of their energies into technical advisory work and build lasting relationships with farmers and growers."" Duty 11 - Provide advice on all aspects of crop husbandry across a wide range of crops (which may include niche or specialist crops) and utilize precision farming tools and techniques where possible with the client if they have equipment enabled to do so.

Nutrition and fertiliser adviser duties

DUTY: The primary aim of a Nutrition and Fertilizer Adviser is to help farmers and growers achieve their target yields and produce quality crops, manage/limit their nutrition input costs and support a wide-ranging holistic approach which helps them improve crop production within their wider farming business. The provision of agronomic nutrition advice – gleaned from a very wide range of sources and then interpreted and applied to each growers specific farm and crop situation – is a primary skill which requires training and the transfer of knowledge from experienced colleagues. A Professional Adviser must fully focus all of their energies into technical advisory work and build lasting relationships with farmers and growers."" Duty 12 - Provide fertilizer and nutrition advice across a wide range of crops (which may include niche or specialist crops) and utilize precision farming tools and application techniques where possible with the client if they have equipment enabled to do so.

Agriculture or horticulture professional adviser

Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Agriculture or horticulture professional adviser standard?

Knowledge

Skills

Behaviours

Core occupation duties

Agronomy and precision farming adviser duties

Nutrition and fertiliser adviser duties

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Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Agriculture or horticulture professional adviser standard?