Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) Tool Workshop Series - in person and online
20 July 2026
Join a series of free hands-on workshops designed to help you learn or further enhance use of the SVS decisions support tool. This tool supports decision-making in real-world cropping situations.
These workshops build on each other across the season - from getting started, through to applying, reviewing, and improving your approach. A soil nitrogen testing service will be available free of charge for participants.
Learning about the SVS tool will help growers meet farm planning requirements.
Click here to the HortNZ website to find out more and register.
Dates
Workshop 1 - Getting started with SVS (completed)
Pukekohe and online: Tuesday, 21 July 2026 | 8.30-10.30am Te Ahikawariki Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence (VICE), 49 Cronin Road, Pukekohe
Horowhenua: Tuesday, 4 August 2026 | 12 noon (lunch), 12.30-2.30pm Levin Library, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-po, 10 Bath Street, Levin (Rimu Room)
Learn how to use the SVS Tool with real examples of live input. Bring your laptop.
Before you attend:
- Register and log into the SVS Tool (required). Go to www.svstool.co.nz
- Be ready to follow along and input data.
Workshop 2 - Applying SVS to your crops
Pukekohe and online: Tuesday, 22 September 2026 | 8.30-10.30am Te Ahikawariki, Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence, 49 Cronin Road, Pukekohe
Horowhenua: Thursday, 8 October 2026 | 12 noon (lunch), 12.30-2.30pm Woodhaven Gardens, 44 Joblins Road, Levin (Note: this is a change of venue from Workshop 1)
Gisborne: Thursday, 24 September 2026 | 4-6pm Bushmere Arms, 673 Matawai Road, Waerengaahika (Note: this is a change of venue from Workshop 1). Refreshments will be provided after the workshop.
Hawke's Bay Heretaunga: Friday, 16 October 2026 | 8.30-10.30am Havelock North Community Centre, 30 Te Mata Road, Havelock North (morning tea provided after the workshop)
Hawke's Bay Central: Friday, 16 October 2026 | 12.30pm (lunch), 1-3pm Centralines, 17 Coughlan Road, Waipukurau
Canterbury: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 | 3pm (coffee), 3.30-5.30pm Hotel Ashburton, 11-35 Racecourse Road, Allenton, Ashburton
Bring your own crop details and soil nitrogen tests and start building your own crop nitrogen budget. Also bring your laptop.
Before you attend:
- Have explored the SVS Tool
- Bring crop details to input (planting and harvest dates, target yield, N fert plan, soil N tests).
Workshop 3 - End of season review and learnings
Pukekohe and online: Tuesday, 20 April 2027 | Time 8.30-10.30am
Horowhenua: Thursday, 29 April 2027 | 12 noon (lunch), 12.30-2.30pm
Review how your crops performed and share insights with the group.
Before you attend:
- Have entered and tracked at least one crop in the SVS Tool
- Be ready to share learning, results and challenges.
Workshop 4 - Planning for next season
Pukekohe and online: Tuesday, 20 July 2027 | Time 8.30-10.30am
Horowhenua: Thursday, 29 July 2027 | 12 noon (lunch), 12.30-2.30pm
Use your learnings to plan and improve for the next season.
Before you attend:
- Gather key learnings from your season
- Be ready to plan for future crops using the SVS Tool
- Consider ideas for comparison trials (e.g. split paddocks, different nutrient approaches).