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 covers developing an organic management plan and defines the standards required to: identify and develop required components of an Organic Management Plan (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 control of risks; apply appropriate regional catchment targets and; document the plan in compliance with certification requirements.
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Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
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.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
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.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
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.
Required skills
carry out property planning
undertake soil assessment
interpret the landscape
observe cycles, patterns, change and systems dynamics
use lateral thinking and a systems approach to develop solutions to problems
apply ecological principles to agricultural production
complete production planning
access industry information
monitor the farming system
use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports
use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views
use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures
use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Required knowledge
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.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Organic management plans may include:
the conversion of an agricultural or horticultural farm to an organic, biological and ecological system.
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
Sources of support and advice including agricultural extension officers and training programs are located and accessed.
Industry publications and internet sources are assessed for their value in informing decision making.
Contributions of work colleagues and others are sought and considered during planning process.
Map of property to be covered by OMP is developed or obtained.
Time scale to be addressed in plan is determined.
Information on soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health status and their interrelationships is collected to serve as benchmarks for development of management options in plan.
Regional catchment targets for land, water and biodiversity are obtained and those applicable to property and sub-catchment are identified.
Components of OMP that need to be developed are identified.
Suitable format for planning documents is developed.
A soil fertility assessment of farm production areas is undertaken or commissioned.
Soil types and topography are mapped on farm plan.
Soil fertility plan is developed and documented that amends soil chemistry, soil structure and soil biology, based on assessment results, overall budget and intended cropping regime.
Appropriate inputs are identified according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
Plan is documented according to established format.
Suitability of land for production is determined based on soil type, slope, aspect and previous use.
Soil management plan to enhance soil structure and prevent compaction and water logging is developed.
Appropriate inputs are identified according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
Sub-plan is documented according to established format.
Problematic weed species are identified and weeds are observed as an indicator of soil health.
Life cycles of weeds species are identified to inform management options.
Appropriate inputs are identified according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
Options for managing weeds are developed.
Sub-plan is documented according to established format.
Evidence of pest and disease burden in farming system is collected and documented.
Pests and diseases and their life cycles are observed and monitored.
Evidence of pest and disease burden is evaluated in order to develop strategy for management.
Pests and diseases are evaluated as indicators of farming system health.
Options for addressing pest and disease issues, including improving soil health, are identified.
Appropriate inputs are identified according to the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.
Sub-plan is documented according to established format.
Regional and farm-based animal health issues are identified.
Options for preventative actions aimed at establishing and maintaining optimal animal health are identified.
Options for treating animal health issues are identified.
Sub-plan is documented according to established format.
Sub-plans for soil fertility and management, and weed, pest, disease and animal health are integrated.
Record-keeping system is developed and implemented to track various components of OMP as they are put into practice and reviewed.
OMP is reviewed and updated annually.
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
AHCORG501A - Develop an organic management plan
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
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Assessment Record Sheet
AHCORG501A - Develop an organic management plan
Student name:
Student ID:
Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
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Feedback to student:
Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent