Assessor Resource

AHCORG503A
Design and document an organic farm landscape

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This Unit applies to farm managers or owners whose job includes designing and developing organic farming landscapes.

This Unit of Competency covers the design and development of an organic farm landscape plan and defines the standard required to: audit the natural resource base of the property; determine the key sustainability principles that apply; and use a range of design tools to design an organic farm landscape allowing for climate and resource uncertainty.

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

Prerequisites

Nil.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this Unit must be able to provide evidence that they can design and document an organic farm landscape.

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:

source and interpret legislative requirements industry standards and codes of practice

identify compliant work practices and procedures

conduct an audit of the natural resources and infrastructure of the property

identify physical and biological characteristicsand landscape features of the property

develop farm soil map and determine land capability

develop an organic landscape plan using appropriate development tools

revise a draft plan and document the final organic landscape plan.

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.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the AHC10 Training Package and can be assessed holistically with other Units.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge.

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills.

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the required knowledge.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other Units of Competency.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English.

Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment.

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

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 include:

Ability to:

conduct sector analysis

conduct soil mapping within a farm context

conduct risk analysis for adjoining land-use

identify natural and sensitive areas

apply land-shape design methodology

use permaculture design methodology

map physical and biological features of the landscape

develop design rules

apply research skills

use literacy skills to interpret, analyse and extract information from a range of sources such as professional literature, legal documents, discussions and workshops and to locate, read, interpret and convey information in written, diagrammatic and/or verbal form

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 interpersonal techniques 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

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and complex workplace measures and data

use problem-solving skills to identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and in the application of different planning processes.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

applicable legislative documents and codes of practice relevant to farm landscape planning

landscape types

habitat/plant communities on farm

relationship between land shape and soil type

soil types

different categories of cultural sites

organic certification requirements

landscape hydrology

landscapes for agro-ecosystems

native habitat requirements.

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Industry standards may include:

national organic standards

industry requirements

organisation requirements

required environmental protection

animal welfare.

Key clauses and requirements may refer to:

farm infrastructure

cultural sites

habitat zones

plant communities

endangered species

natural resources

natural and sensitive areas requiring protection and/or enhancement

buffer zone requirements

soil types

aspect

slope

micro climates.

Landscape features may include:

existing infrastructure

cultural sites

habitat zones

plant communities

endangered species

natural resources

creeks, rivers, swamp, water soak

rock outcrops

stands of timber

caves

salt/mud flats

natural and sensitive areas requiring protection and/ or enhancement

buffer zone requirements

soil types

aspect

slope

micro climates.

Land capability may include:

industry standard capability system

customised system to meet individual business requirements.

Key farm rules are:

rules that will guide the development of the farm design to meet the requirements of the overall farm vision.

Design tools may include:

sector analysis

land shape design

permaculture design tools

keyline design

landscapes for agro-ecosystems

landscapes for habitat

patterns to detail

zoning.

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
Identify and access applicable legislative documents and codes of practice relevant to the design and planning of an organic farming enterprise. 
Investigate work practices and procedures which follow industry standards. 
Identify and interpret key clauses and requirements which apply to organic production and marketing. 
Identify relevant work practices and procedures which comply with regulatory requirements and codes of practice. 
Identify and record property physical and biological characteristicsand landscape features. 
Develop a farm soil map. 
Determine land capability. 
Conduct a risk analysis of the farm and adjoining land-use to determine compliance with organic standards, legislative and environmental requirements. 
Identify key design parameters to meet financial, social and sustainability goals. 
Develop and document key farm rules. 
Investigate short term and long term uncertainties for the farm system. 
Investigate design options which impact on these long term changes. 
Identify and use appropriate design tools. 
Develop a concept framework. 
Review the draft plan against the financial, social and sustainability goals. 
Document the plan. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCORG503A - Design and document an organic farm landscape
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

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCORG503A - Design and document an organic farm landscape

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:

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