Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCORG401 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage biodynamic production

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCORG401 - Manage biodynamic production
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage a farming system according to the principles of, and using the practices of, biodynamic agriculture.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 farmers who manage according to the principles of biodynamic agriculture. Work is likely to be done independently and according to the 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 known 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.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

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.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare a plan for a biodynamic farming enterprise
  • Work in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to work health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines
  • Identify requirements for biodynamic certification
  • Incorporate personal, ecological and financial goals for a biodynamic enterprise into an enterprise plan
  • Develop marketing plan for biodynamic produce which maintains product quality and integrity
  • Trial research findings for biodynamic agriculture and incorporate into plans
  • Develop and implement biodynamic production plan based on biodynamic principles and farm strategies
       
Element: Make and apply biodynamic field spray preparations
  • Make and store horn manure (500), horn silica (501) and horn clay preparations
  • Stir preparations by creating vortex and chaos
  • Select equipment for application of biodynamic preparations
  • Calibrate and adjust equipment for suitable application rate
  • Apply preparations according to biodynamic principles
       
Element: Use biodynamic compost preparations, composts and liquid brews
  • Use and store biodynamic compost preparations according to biodynamic principles
  • Identify materials and mineral inputs for compost from farm production plan and soil analysis
  • uild compost heap
  • Apply biodynamic preparations to compost according to biodynamic principles
  • Monitor aeration, moisture and temperature of compost heap
  • Apply compost to enhance natural cycles
       
Element: Apply biodynamic principles and techniques to enhance soil and plant health
  • Plan planting, harvest and pruning times according to moon rhythms and planetary patterns
  • Optimise soil and plant health using biodynamic preparations, cover crops, crop rotation, mulching and composting and through application of farm-based fertility products
  • Identify weeds and insect pests in enterprise
  • Evaluate options for managing weeds and insects that consider natural predators, life cycles, cultural practices, soil health and the plant community
  • Develop and implement plan for managing pests and weeds
       
Element: Manage animals within a biodynamic production system
  • Optimise soil and plant health to provide a nutrient-dense and balanced diet
  • Develop and incorporate grazing and feeding strategies into the biodynamic system
  • Incorporate homeopathic remedies and allowable treatments into animal health strategies
  • Implement enterprise animal welfare policies
       


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 a plan for a biodynamic farming enterprise

1.1 Work in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to work health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines

1.2 Identify requirements for biodynamic certification

1.3 Incorporate personal, ecological and financial goals for a biodynamic enterprise into an enterprise plan

1.4 Develop marketing plan for biodynamic produce which maintains product quality and integrity

1.5 Trial research findings for biodynamic agriculture and incorporate into plans

1.6 Develop and implement biodynamic production plan based on biodynamic principles and farm strategies

2. Make and apply biodynamic field spray preparations

2.1 Make and store horn manure (500), horn silica (501) and horn clay preparations

2.2 Stir preparations by creating vortex and chaos

2.3 Select equipment for application of biodynamic preparations

2.4 Calibrate and adjust equipment for suitable application rate

2.5 Apply preparations according to biodynamic principles

3. Use biodynamic compost preparations, composts and liquid brews

3.1 Use and store biodynamic compost preparations according to biodynamic principles

3.2 Identify materials and mineral inputs for compost from farm production plan and soil analysis

3.3 uild compost heap

3.4 Apply biodynamic preparations to compost according to biodynamic principles

3.5 Monitor aeration, moisture and temperature of compost heap

3.6 Apply compost to enhance natural cycles

4. Apply biodynamic principles and techniques to enhance soil and plant health

4.1 Plan planting, harvest and pruning times according to moon rhythms and planetary patterns

4.2 Optimise soil and plant health using biodynamic preparations, cover crops, crop rotation, mulching and composting and through application of farm-based fertility products

4.3 Identify weeds and insect pests in enterprise

4.4 Evaluate options for managing weeds and insects that consider natural predators, life cycles, cultural practices, soil health and the plant community

4.5 Develop and implement plan for managing pests and weeds

5. Manage animals within a biodynamic production system

5.1 Optimise soil and plant health to provide a nutrient-dense and balanced diet

5.2 Develop and incorporate grazing and feeding strategies into the biodynamic system

5.3 Incorporate homeopathic remedies and allowable treatments into animal health strategies

5.4 Implement enterprise animal welfare policies

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:

apply biodynamic principles

develop and implement biodynamic production plan

make and apply biodynamic preparations and compost

enhance soil and plant health

integrate and manage animals in a biodynamic enterprise

apply enterprise work health and safety policies and guidelines

implement enterprise animal welfare policies

implement enterprise environmental sustainability practices

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

animal health

biodynamic preparations and their role in soil food web and atmosphere

biodiversity, shelter belts, birds and native bush on biodynamic farm

calcium-clay-silica polarities

crop and animal rotation systems

cultivation methods

etheric and astral forces and how they relate to biodynamics

experiments and testing methods such as chromatography and sensitive crystallisation

green manuring

management of insects and birds

paradigms of various farming systems: biodynamics, organics and permaculture, and holistic management

peppering for animals and insects

planting calendar

purpose of various herbs and organs used for making biodynamic preparations

relationship between soil, plant, animal and human health

research in biodynamics principles and practices

rhythms and cycles of planets and moon

role of the biodynamic preparations 500-508

role of bacteria and fungi

role of humus

soil: food web information, how it is made, its structure and feeding cycle

water retention

weed management

principles, practices and inputs allowable under the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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 a plan for a biodynamic farming enterprise

1.1 Work in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to work health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines

1.2 Identify requirements for biodynamic certification

1.3 Incorporate personal, ecological and financial goals for a biodynamic enterprise into an enterprise plan

1.4 Develop marketing plan for biodynamic produce which maintains product quality and integrity

1.5 Trial research findings for biodynamic agriculture and incorporate into plans

1.6 Develop and implement biodynamic production plan based on biodynamic principles and farm strategies

2. Make and apply biodynamic field spray preparations

2.1 Make and store horn manure (500), horn silica (501) and horn clay preparations

2.2 Stir preparations by creating vortex and chaos

2.3 Select equipment for application of biodynamic preparations

2.4 Calibrate and adjust equipment for suitable application rate

2.5 Apply preparations according to biodynamic principles

3. Use biodynamic compost preparations, composts and liquid brews

3.1 Use and store biodynamic compost preparations according to biodynamic principles

3.2 Identify materials and mineral inputs for compost from farm production plan and soil analysis

3.3 uild compost heap

3.4 Apply biodynamic preparations to compost according to biodynamic principles

3.5 Monitor aeration, moisture and temperature of compost heap

3.6 Apply compost to enhance natural cycles

4. Apply biodynamic principles and techniques to enhance soil and plant health

4.1 Plan planting, harvest and pruning times according to moon rhythms and planetary patterns

4.2 Optimise soil and plant health using biodynamic preparations, cover crops, crop rotation, mulching and composting and through application of farm-based fertility products

4.3 Identify weeds and insect pests in enterprise

4.4 Evaluate options for managing weeds and insects that consider natural predators, life cycles, cultural practices, soil health and the plant community

4.5 Develop and implement plan for managing pests and weeds

5. Manage animals within a biodynamic production system

5.1 Optimise soil and plant health to provide a nutrient-dense and balanced diet

5.2 Develop and incorporate grazing and feeding strategies into the biodynamic system

5.3 Incorporate homeopathic remedies and allowable treatments into animal health strategies

5.4 Implement enterprise animal welfare policies

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
Work in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to work health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines 
Identify requirements for biodynamic certification 
Incorporate personal, ecological and financial goals for a biodynamic enterprise into an enterprise plan 
Develop marketing plan for biodynamic produce which maintains product quality and integrity 
Trial research findings for biodynamic agriculture and incorporate into plans 
Develop and implement biodynamic production plan based on biodynamic principles and farm strategies 
Make and store horn manure (500), horn silica (501) and horn clay preparations 
Stir preparations by creating vortex and chaos 
Select equipment for application of biodynamic preparations 
Calibrate and adjust equipment for suitable application rate 
Apply preparations according to biodynamic principles 
Use and store biodynamic compost preparations according to biodynamic principles 
Identify materials and mineral inputs for compost from farm production plan and soil analysis 
uild compost heap 
Apply biodynamic preparations to compost according to biodynamic principles 
Monitor aeration, moisture and temperature of compost heap 
Apply compost to enhance natural cycles 
Plan planting, harvest and pruning times according to moon rhythms and planetary patterns 
Optimise soil and plant health using biodynamic preparations, cover crops, crop rotation, mulching and composting and through application of farm-based fertility products 
Identify weeds and insect pests in enterprise 
Evaluate options for managing weeds and insects that consider natural predators, life cycles, cultural practices, soil health and the plant community 
Develop and implement plan for managing pests and weeds 
Optimise soil and plant health to provide a nutrient-dense and balanced diet 
Develop and incorporate grazing and feeding strategies into the biodynamic system 
Incorporate homeopathic remedies and allowable treatments into animal health strategies 
Implement enterprise animal welfare policies 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCORG401 - Manage biodynamic production
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCORG401 - Manage biodynamic production

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(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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