This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop an organic management plan (OMP).
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 those producers who develop an OMP to convert an agricultural or horticultural farm to an organic, biological and ecological system. It requires the capability to set objectives to meet organic certification requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
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. Locate and access assistance in developing the OMP
1.1 Locate and access sources of support and advice including agricultural extension officers and training programs
1.2 Assess industry publications and internet sources for their value in informing decision making
1.3 Seek and consider contributions of work colleagues and others during planning process
1.4 Access information from certifier and relevant Organic Standards on OMP requirements
2. Design the organic farming system to be described in the OMP
2.1 Develop or obtain map of property to be covered by OMP
2.2 Determine time scale to be addressed in plan
2.3 Collect information on soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health status and their interrelationships to serve as benchmarks for development of management options
2.4 Obtain regional catchment targets for land, water and biodiversity and identify those applicable to property and sub-catchment
2.5 dentify components of OMP that need to be developed
2.6 Develop suitable format for planning documents
2.7 Identify risks to organic integrity for the farm enterprise and outline strategies to manage these risks
3. Develop soil fertility plan
3.1 Undertake or commission a soil fertility assessment of farm production areas
3.2 Map soil types and topography on farm plan
3.3 Develop and document soil fertility plan that amends soil chemistry, soil structure and soil biology, based on assessment of soil test results, enterprise performance, overall budget and intended cropping/grazing regime
3.4 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce and/or agro-ecological principles
3.5 Document plan according to established format
4. Develop soil management sub-plan
4.1 Determine suitability of land for production based on soil type, slope, aspect and previous use
4.2 Develop soil management plan to enhance soil structure and prevent compaction and water logging
4.3 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
4.4 Document sub-plan according to established format
4.5 Identify farm management practices and strategies that enhance soil fertility
5. Develop weed management sub-plan
5.1 Identify problematic weed species and observe weeds as an indicator of soil health
5.2 Identify life cycles of weeds species to inform management options
5.3 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
5.4 Develop integrated farming strategies and cultural practices for managing weeds
5.5 Document sub-plan according to established format
6. Develop and design an integrated pest and disease management sub-plan
6.1 Collect and document evidence of pest and disease burden in farming system
6.2 Observe and monitor pests and diseases and their life cycles
6.3 Evaluate evidence of pest and disease burden to develop strategy for management
6.4 Evaluate pests and diseases as indicators of farming system health
6.5 Identify options for addressing pest and disease issues, including improving soil health, cultural practices and system redesign
6.6 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
6.7 Document sub-plan according to established format
7. Develop animal health and management sub-plan
7.1 Identify regional and farm-based animal health issues
7.2 Identify options for preventative actions aimed at establishing and maintaining optimal animal health
7.3 Identify options for treating animal health issues
7.4 Develop a sustainable grazing management plan that addresses feed requirements, stocking densities and meets regional catchment land and soil condition targets where applicable
7.5 Develop an animal management program that ensures compliance to organic standards and/or agro-ecological principles
7.6 Document sub-plan according to established format
8. Integrate and finalise the organic management plan
8.1 Integrate sub-plans for soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health
8.2 Develop and implement record-keeping system to track various components of OMP as they are put into practice and reviewed
8.3 Review and update OMP annually noting any changes to farm practices
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:
identify and develop required components of an OMP for a property
understand and use interrelationships between soil, plant and animal health and farming system's resilience when developing plan
identify options for prevention and treatment of risks
apply appropriate regional catchment targets
document the plan in compliance with certification requirements
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles of organic agriculture, especially fundamental role of soil health
principles of sustainable production
requirements and components of an OMP
systems approach to agriculture and horticulture
organic and biodynamic certification requirements
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. Locate and access assistance in developing the OMP
1.1 Locate and access sources of support and advice including agricultural extension officers and training programs
1.2 Assess industry publications and internet sources for their value in informing decision making
1.3 Seek and consider contributions of work colleagues and others during planning process
1.4 Access information from certifier and relevant Organic Standards on OMP requirements
2. Design the organic farming system to be described in the OMP
2.1 Develop or obtain map of property to be covered by OMP
2.2 Determine time scale to be addressed in plan
2.3 Collect information on soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health status and their interrelationships to serve as benchmarks for development of management options
2.4 Obtain regional catchment targets for land, water and biodiversity and identify those applicable to property and sub-catchment
2.5 dentify components of OMP that need to be developed
2.6 Develop suitable format for planning documents
2.7 Identify risks to organic integrity for the farm enterprise and outline strategies to manage these risks
3. Develop soil fertility plan
3.1 Undertake or commission a soil fertility assessment of farm production areas
3.2 Map soil types and topography on farm plan
3.3 Develop and document soil fertility plan that amends soil chemistry, soil structure and soil biology, based on assessment of soil test results, enterprise performance, overall budget and intended cropping/grazing regime
3.4 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce and/or agro-ecological principles
3.5 Document plan according to established format
4. Develop soil management sub-plan
4.1 Determine suitability of land for production based on soil type, slope, aspect and previous use
4.2 Develop soil management plan to enhance soil structure and prevent compaction and water logging
4.3 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
4.4 Document sub-plan according to established format
4.5 Identify farm management practices and strategies that enhance soil fertility
5. Develop weed management sub-plan
5.1 Identify problematic weed species and observe weeds as an indicator of soil health
5.2 Identify life cycles of weeds species to inform management options
5.3 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
5.4 Develop integrated farming strategies and cultural practices for managing weeds
5.5 Document sub-plan according to established format
6. Develop and design an integrated pest and disease management sub-plan
6.1 Collect and document evidence of pest and disease burden in farming system
6.2 Observe and monitor pests and diseases and their life cycles
6.3 Evaluate evidence of pest and disease burden to develop strategy for management
6.4 Evaluate pests and diseases as indicators of farming system health
6.5 Identify options for addressing pest and disease issues, including improving soil health, cultural practices and system redesign
6.6 Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
6.7 Document sub-plan according to established format
7. Develop animal health and management sub-plan
7.1 Identify regional and farm-based animal health issues
7.2 Identify options for preventative actions aimed at establishing and maintaining optimal animal health
7.3 Identify options for treating animal health issues
7.4 Develop a sustainable grazing management plan that addresses feed requirements, stocking densities and meets regional catchment land and soil condition targets where applicable
7.5 Develop an animal management program that ensures compliance to organic standards and/or agro-ecological principles
7.6 Document sub-plan according to established format
8. Integrate and finalise the organic management plan
8.1 Integrate sub-plans for soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health
8.2 Develop and implement record-keeping system to track various components of OMP as they are put into practice and reviewed
8.3 Review and update OMP annually noting any changes to farm practices
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:
identify and develop required components of an OMP for a property
understand and use interrelationships between soil, plant and animal health and farming system's resilience when developing plan
identify options for prevention and treatment of risks
apply appropriate regional catchment targets
document the plan in compliance with certification requirements
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles of organic agriculture, especially fundamental role of soil health
principles of sustainable production
requirements and components of an OMP
systems approach to agriculture and horticulture
organic and biodynamic certification requirements
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
Locate and access sources of support and advice including agricultural extension officers and training programs
Assess industry publications and internet sources for their value in informing decision making
Seek and consider contributions of work colleagues and others during planning process
Access information from certifier and relevant Organic Standards on OMP requirements
Develop or obtain map of property to be covered by OMP
Determine time scale to be addressed in plan
Collect information on soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health status and their interrelationships to serve as benchmarks for development of management options
Obtain regional catchment targets for land, water and biodiversity and identify those applicable to property and sub-catchment
dentify components of OMP that need to be developed
Develop suitable format for planning documents
Identify risks to organic integrity for the farm enterprise and outline strategies to manage these risks
Undertake or commission a soil fertility assessment of farm production areas
Map soil types and topography on farm plan
Develop and document soil fertility plan that amends soil chemistry, soil structure and soil biology, based on assessment of soil test results, enterprise performance, overall budget and intended cropping/grazing regime
Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce and/or agro-ecological principles
Document plan according to established format
Determine suitability of land for production based on soil type, slope, aspect and previous use
Develop soil management plan to enhance soil structure and prevent compaction and water logging
Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
Document sub-plan according to established format
Identify farm management practices and strategies that enhance soil fertility
Identify problematic weed species and observe weeds as an indicator of soil health
Identify life cycles of weeds species to inform management options
Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
Develop integrated farming strategies and cultural practices for managing weeds
Document sub-plan according to established format
Collect and document evidence of pest and disease burden in farming system
Observe and monitor pests and diseases and their life cycles
Evaluate evidence of pest and disease burden to develop strategy for management
Evaluate pests and diseases as indicators of farming system health
Identify options for addressing pest and disease issues, including improving soil health, cultural practices and system redesign
Identify appropriate inputs according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
Document sub-plan according to established format
Identify regional and farm-based animal health issues
Identify options for preventative actions aimed at establishing and maintaining optimal animal health
Identify options for treating animal health issues
Develop a sustainable grazing management plan that addresses feed requirements, stocking densities and meets regional catchment land and soil condition targets where applicable
Develop an animal management program that ensures compliance to organic standards and/or agro-ecological principles
Document sub-plan according to established format
Integrate sub-plans for soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health
Develop and implement record-keeping system to track various components of OMP as they are put into practice and reviewed
Review and update OMP annually noting any changes to farm practices
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
AHCORG501 - Develop an organic management plan
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Assessment Record Sheet
AHCORG501 - Develop an organic management plan
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