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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Carry out preliminary planning activities
   • Client preferences and requirements for the horticultural product are understood and confirmed according to enterprise marketing and business plans.
   • The production site is assessed for growing environment factors, services and site modifications.
   • Research is conducted into the characteristics and growing requirements of plant species and cultivars, legal attributes of the production site, and local by-laws and restrictions that may affect the production plan.
   • Sustainable land use issues that may affect planned production are identified and, if necessary, reported to relevant personnel for further research.
   • Production targets are set that are consistent with the marketing strategy and business plan.
   • Production requirements in terms of quantity, quality and availability of the product are determined.
   • A preliminary plan that reflects client preferences and requirements, and takes into account site factors and any identified sustainable land use requirements, is developed and presented to appropriate personnel for discussion and approval.
2. Determine the requirements of horticultural production
   • Plant species and cultivars that are appropriate to the site and consistent with the agreed preliminary plan are identified, and the required quantity calculated, costed and availability confirmed with the supplier.
   • Plant establishment procedures consistent with the agreed preliminary plan are selected according to the characteristics and growing requirements of available plant materials, site factors, resources and equipment available and the sustainable land use factors affecting the success of production.
   • Design of the production site includes irrigation and drainage systems, and takes into account the growing requirements of plants and sustainable land use practices.
   • Cultural management of the growing environment from planting to harvest is provided for according to client requirements, site capabilities and enterprise standards, and encourages optimal growth.
   • Harvesting dates to meet market deadlines are determined according to enterprise policies.
   • Resources, tools, equipment and machinery required for the establishment of the production site, propagation of plants, planting, cultural management of the growing environment, harvesting and post-harvest care are identified, costed and availability confirmed with suppliers, contractors and appropriate personnel.
   • Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with production activities are identified, risks assessed and controls developed according to enterprise guidelines, costed and documented in the plan.
   • Policy concerning out-of-standard products is identified according to enterprise customer service, quality assurance policies and marketing strategy.
3. Schedule production activities
   • Staged implementation and development of product are outlined, where appropriate, with access for future works provided for according to client, enterprise and site requirements.
   • Timelines for preparations, the establishment of the production site, propagation of plants, planting, cultural management of the growing environment, harvesting and post-harvest care are determined taking into account the needs of the plant species and cultivars, the softscape and hardscape components, site conditions and any other planning requirements.
   • Timing within the plan ensures that available enterprise production facilities and space are effectively and efficiently utilised.
   • Marketing is planned and scheduled according to the production schedule and marketing strategy.
4. Plan monitoring of the production plan
   • Production activities to be monitored, the format for recording factors, frequency of monitoring and the thresholds for remedial action are determined according to enterprise and industry quality assurance policies.
   • Required remedial action is documented for implementation by staff according to enterprise and industry quality assurance policies.
   • Effectiveness of the monitoring system is reviewed on a regular basis according to enterprise and industry quality assurance policies.
   • The production program is compared with feedback and projections from clients according to sound business practice.
5. Prepare and document the production plan and specification
   • Detailed plan, specifications and quotation are prepared based on horticultural conventions and the requirements of production, and presented to appropriate personnel for acceptance.
   • Scaled production site plan is produced which can be readily interpreted and understood by on-site personnel according to enterprise standards.
   • Detailed on-site procedures and schedules required for production are developed and documented.

Required Skills

Required skills

research and evaluate information comply with legislative requirements calculate the cost and spatial and logistical requirements of components of the horticultural production plan 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 skillslanguage 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

establishment and maintenance of a range of enterprise horticultural products in relation to client needs and the standards required by the marketplace establishment procedures plant selection and cultural practices for a range of enterprise horticultural products the advantages and limitations of sustainable horticulture systems the role of business and marketing plans and client consultation processes in planning horticultural production processes and techniques for preparing costing and documenting plans for and scheduling horticultural production

Evidence Required

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 establish product specifications research site factors and land use issues select and source plants or plant material for seeding or propagation design and incorporate infrastructure into planning specify a monitoring program to cover the operation from sowing to sale document and cost the production 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

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Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Industry sectors involved in production may include	nursery turf floriculture and production horticulture.
Products may include	fruit vegetables herbs flowers foliage bulbs tubers nuts mushrooms seeds wild harvest plants and oils trees shrubs turf containerised and bare-rooted grown plants.

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