Assessor Resource

AHCORG408
Manage on farm composting

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage on farm composting.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.

This unit applies to farm managers who work according to the principles of sustainable, organic and ecological agriculture. Work is likely to be done independently and according to the requirements of State regulations, Australian Standards, the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles

This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within know parameters and use discretion and judgment in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Organise for composting

1.1 Confirm composting technology, recipe and method to be used are as appropriate to raw material types and farm enterprise needs

1.2 Define compost quality requirements for end product

1.3 Identify composting site requirements and prepare the composting area

1.4 Identify and implement measures are to manage drainage, dust, noise and odours

1.5 Select and check for serviceability and safe operation machinery, equipment and materials appropriate to the job

1.6 Identify and assess potential work health and safety hazards and take action to minimise risk to self and others

1.7 Select, fit, use, suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.8 Maintain and store according to work requirements, manufacturer specifications and enterprise procedures

1.9 Comply with enterprise work health and safety guidelines

2. Prepare raw materials and compost on farm

2.1 Identify and collected raw materials and additives for composting, check to ensure compliance with enterprise procedures or organic standards if applicable; including assessment of physical or chemical contamination

2.2 Pre-process raw materials into suitable forms for composting if required

2.3 Mix raw materials are into suitable compost mixtures for composting according to documented recipes

2.4 Handle feedstock mixtures for composting according to technology, appropriate method, and industry best practice and enterprise procedures

2.5 Assign batch numbers or codes, and create batch documentation to enable tracking of batch through compost production cycle if required

3. Manage and monitor the composting process

3.1 Manage compost batches as required through the composting cycle

3.2 Monitor composting batch by observation or by use of field testing equipment to maintain effective composting process through the compost cycle

3.3 Maintain records for process control indicators through the compost production cycle

3.4 Identify problems observed at any stage of the composting process are and take remedial action to maintain effective and consistent compost production

3.5 Follow site quarantine, biosecurity protocols and farm and personal hygiene requirements are as required by enterprise guidelines

4. Inspect compost quality and maintain site

4.1 Inspect and assess finished compost is to determine if quality indicators have been met

4.2 Maintain and clean loading-shifting machinery and other processing equipment as required to avoid contamination between batches

4.3 Store raw materials and finished compost products in designated areas and kept processing site clean

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

implement and manage an on farm compost system

manage composting processes

manage a composting site

evaluate compost quality and implement remedial actions if required

implement enterprise work health and safety policies

follow site quarantine and biosecurity protocols

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

compost quality standards

basic principles of composting

different methods of composting

characteristics of a range of raw materials

fundamental characteristics of compost quality

steps in pre-processing compost materials

batch documentation techniques

site and equipment requirements for on farm composting

key process control stages critical to consistent compost production

overview of systems and technologies used in compost production, particularly as relevant to farm

characteristics and categories of a range of compost products.

relevant environmental, work health and safety legislation and regulations

record keeping requirements

site quarantine and biosecurity protocols

agro-ecological principles

principles, practices and inputs allowable under the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce if applicable

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace and/or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Organise for composting

1.1 Confirm composting technology, recipe and method to be used are as appropriate to raw material types and farm enterprise needs

1.2 Define compost quality requirements for end product

1.3 Identify composting site requirements and prepare the composting area

1.4 Identify and implement measures are to manage drainage, dust, noise and odours

1.5 Select and check for serviceability and safe operation machinery, equipment and materials appropriate to the job

1.6 Identify and assess potential work health and safety hazards and take action to minimise risk to self and others

1.7 Select, fit, use, suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.8 Maintain and store according to work requirements, manufacturer specifications and enterprise procedures

1.9 Comply with enterprise work health and safety guidelines

2. Prepare raw materials and compost on farm

2.1 Identify and collected raw materials and additives for composting, check to ensure compliance with enterprise procedures or organic standards if applicable; including assessment of physical or chemical contamination

2.2 Pre-process raw materials into suitable forms for composting if required

2.3 Mix raw materials are into suitable compost mixtures for composting according to documented recipes

2.4 Handle feedstock mixtures for composting according to technology, appropriate method, and industry best practice and enterprise procedures

2.5 Assign batch numbers or codes, and create batch documentation to enable tracking of batch through compost production cycle if required

3. Manage and monitor the composting process

3.1 Manage compost batches as required through the composting cycle

3.2 Monitor composting batch by observation or by use of field testing equipment to maintain effective composting process through the compost cycle

3.3 Maintain records for process control indicators through the compost production cycle

3.4 Identify problems observed at any stage of the composting process are and take remedial action to maintain effective and consistent compost production

3.5 Follow site quarantine, biosecurity protocols and farm and personal hygiene requirements are as required by enterprise guidelines

4. Inspect compost quality and maintain site

4.1 Inspect and assess finished compost is to determine if quality indicators have been met

4.2 Maintain and clean loading-shifting machinery and other processing equipment as required to avoid contamination between batches

4.3 Store raw materials and finished compost products in designated areas and kept processing site clean

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

implement and manage an on farm compost system

manage composting processes

manage a composting site

evaluate compost quality and implement remedial actions if required

implement enterprise work health and safety policies

follow site quarantine and biosecurity protocols

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

compost quality standards

basic principles of composting

different methods of composting

characteristics of a range of raw materials

fundamental characteristics of compost quality

steps in pre-processing compost materials

batch documentation techniques

site and equipment requirements for on farm composting

key process control stages critical to consistent compost production

overview of systems and technologies used in compost production, particularly as relevant to farm

characteristics and categories of a range of compost products.

relevant environmental, work health and safety legislation and regulations

record keeping requirements

site quarantine and biosecurity protocols

agro-ecological principles

principles, practices and inputs allowable under the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce if applicable

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace and/or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Confirm composting technology, recipe and method to be used are as appropriate to raw material types and farm enterprise needs 
Define compost quality requirements for end product 
Identify composting site requirements and prepare the composting area 
Identify and implement measures are to manage drainage, dust, noise and odours 
Select and check for serviceability and safe operation machinery, equipment and materials appropriate to the job 
Identify and assess potential work health and safety hazards and take action to minimise risk to self and others 
Select, fit, use, suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) 
Maintain and store according to work requirements, manufacturer specifications and enterprise procedures 
Comply with enterprise work health and safety guidelines 
Identify and collected raw materials and additives for composting, check to ensure compliance with enterprise procedures or organic standards if applicable; including assessment of physical or chemical contamination 
Pre-process raw materials into suitable forms for composting if required 
Mix raw materials are into suitable compost mixtures for composting according to documented recipes 
Handle feedstock mixtures for composting according to technology, appropriate method, and industry best practice and enterprise procedures 
Assign batch numbers or codes, and create batch documentation to enable tracking of batch through compost production cycle if required 
Manage compost batches as required through the composting cycle 
Monitor composting batch by observation or by use of field testing equipment to maintain effective composting process through the compost cycle 
Maintain records for process control indicators through the compost production cycle 
Identify problems observed at any stage of the composting process are and take remedial action to maintain effective and consistent compost production 
Follow site quarantine, biosecurity protocols and farm and personal hygiene requirements are as required by enterprise guidelines 
Inspect and assess finished compost is to determine if quality indicators have been met 
Maintain and clean loading-shifting machinery and other processing equipment as required to avoid contamination between batches 
Store raw materials and finished compost products in designated areas and kept processing site clean 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCORG408 - Manage on farm composting
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCORG408 - Manage on farm composting

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: