Assessor Resource

AHCPER206
Plant and maintain permaculture crops

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plant and maintain plants in a permaculture cropping system under routine supervision and involves a range of planting tasks, including site preparation, the handling and planting of a range of planting materials, and the maintenance of crops in the field.

All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.

This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.

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. Prepare to plant permaculture crops

1.1 Confirm instructions about planting with supervisor

1.2 Select and prepare tools and equipment

1.3 Identify plant materials to be planted

1.4 Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment

2. Prepare the site for planting

2.1 Remove or slash old plants, weeds and other residual materials if required

2.2 Apply soil treatments or amendments according to supervisor’s instructions

2.3 Implement plant protection

2.4 Follow the permaculture planting plan and mark out the planting pattern

3. Carry out planting operations

3.1 Select appropriate planting material

3.2 Maintain planting material under conditions that ensure maximum viability

3.3 Handle and transport planting material to the site

3.4 Carry out planting according to permaculture planting plan

4. Maintain plants

4.1 Apply treatments to plantings according to the permaculture plan

4.2 Water plantings according to the irrigation schedule

4.3 Train and protect plants according to the permaculture plan

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:

select plant material, tools and equipment for planting

prepare site for planting

plant according to permaculture planting plan or pattern

support, train, guard or protect plants

follow plans and schedules

water plantings

apply treatments to soil

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and practices related to planting operations, such as:

planting in natural groupings or guilds

utilising plant partnerships such as vines on corn crops

planting mixed species and interplanting with companion species

avoiding soil compaction or disturbance

utilising chickens to plough and prepare ground for planting

avoiding water, seed or weed leakages from the system

principles of sustainable horticultural practices

planting techniques

basic plant nutrition

soil improvement and nutrient maintenance, such as:

minerals, including rock dusts

organic matter

manures, appropriate fertilisers and composts

foliar feeds or fertigation

vermicompost and worm castings

planting of a temporary green manure or cover crop

legume plantings or interplantings

sheet mulches

companion planting

plant growth and development

methods of waste disposal causing minimal impact on the environment

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III qualification (or higher) in Permaculture and/or have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC).

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. Prepare to plant permaculture crops

1.1 Confirm instructions about planting with supervisor

1.2 Select and prepare tools and equipment

1.3 Identify plant materials to be planted

1.4 Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment

2. Prepare the site for planting

2.1 Remove or slash old plants, weeds and other residual materials if required

2.2 Apply soil treatments or amendments according to supervisor’s instructions

2.3 Implement plant protection

2.4 Follow the permaculture planting plan and mark out the planting pattern

3. Carry out planting operations

3.1 Select appropriate planting material

3.2 Maintain planting material under conditions that ensure maximum viability

3.3 Handle and transport planting material to the site

3.4 Carry out planting according to permaculture planting plan

4. Maintain plants

4.1 Apply treatments to plantings according to the permaculture plan

4.2 Water plantings according to the irrigation schedule

4.3 Train and protect plants according to the permaculture plan

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:

select plant material, tools and equipment for planting

prepare site for planting

plant according to permaculture planting plan or pattern

support, train, guard or protect plants

follow plans and schedules

water plantings

apply treatments to soil

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and practices related to planting operations, such as:

planting in natural groupings or guilds

utilising plant partnerships such as vines on corn crops

planting mixed species and interplanting with companion species

avoiding soil compaction or disturbance

utilising chickens to plough and prepare ground for planting

avoiding water, seed or weed leakages from the system

principles of sustainable horticultural practices

planting techniques

basic plant nutrition

soil improvement and nutrient maintenance, such as:

minerals, including rock dusts

organic matter

manures, appropriate fertilisers and composts

foliar feeds or fertigation

vermicompost and worm castings

planting of a temporary green manure or cover crop

legume plantings or interplantings

sheet mulches

companion planting

plant growth and development

methods of waste disposal causing minimal impact on the environment

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III qualification (or higher) in Permaculture and/or have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC).
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 instructions about planting with supervisor 
Select and prepare tools and equipment 
Identify plant materials to be planted 
Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment 
Remove or slash old plants, weeds and other residual materials if required 
Apply soil treatments or amendments according to supervisor’s instructions 
Implement plant protection 
Follow the permaculture planting plan and mark out the planting pattern 
Select appropriate planting material 
Maintain planting material under conditions that ensure maximum viability 
Handle and transport planting material to the site 
Carry out planting according to permaculture planting plan 
Apply treatments to plantings according to the permaculture plan 
Water plantings according to the irrigation schedule 
Train and protect plants according to the permaculture plan 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPER206 - Plant and maintain permaculture crops
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

AHCPER206 - Plant and maintain permaculture crops

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: