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

AHCORG403 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage organic soil improvement

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCORG403 - Manage organic soil improvement
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage organic soil improvement.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 managers on farms that are managed according to the principles of organic agriculture. Work is likely to be done independently and according to the requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce. All work is done in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to workplace information, principles of organic agriculture and/or agro-ecology, work health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines.This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within know 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: Monitor indicators of soil fertility
  • Undertake work in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to the principles of organic agriculture, work health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines
  • Sample and test soil at reference sites according to organic industry standards to develop baseline data to monitor soil health and fertility
  • Assess and record soil pH, mineral balances, and organic matter levels
  • Assess and record soil texture, structure, salinity and sodicity
  • Assess and record soil biological activity
  • Assess soil condition for drainage, compaction, aeration and water infiltration in relation to requirements for desired plant growth for selected species
  • Analyse results to identify trends in soil health and fertility and areas for improvement
       
Element: Assess soil-related factors for selected plants
  • Identify nutritional requirements of selected plant species
  • Select soil analyses to be conducted using a suitable lab facility
  • Conduct plant tissue sample collection according to requirements of testing facility if applicable
  • Combine results of soil or tissue testing with observations of plant vigour and productivity to determine management and input requirements of the farming system
       
Element: Select, design and implement allowable systems, techniques and inputs to optimise soil fertility
  • Identify range of allowable inputs according to requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce
  • Identify and implement cultural practices to enhance soil fertility, function and health
  • Calculate appropriate inputs based on soil/plant analyses, crop removal and plant/animal observations
  • Select and manage cover crop and pasture systems where applicable
  • Develop, apply and monitor mulching and composting systems where required
  • Design and implement crop rotations and grazing management systems to optimise soil fertility where appropriate
       


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. Monitor indicators of soil fertility

1.1 Undertake work in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to the principles of organic agriculture, work health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines

1.2 Sample and test soil at reference sites according to organic industry standards to develop baseline data to monitor soil health and fertility

1.3 Assess and record soil pH, mineral balances, and organic matter levels

1.4 Assess and record soil texture, structure, salinity and sodicity

1.5 Assess and record soil biological activity

1.6 Assess soil condition for drainage, compaction, aeration and water infiltration in relation to requirements for desired plant growth for selected species

1.7 Analyse results to identify trends in soil health and fertility and areas for improvement

2. Assess soil-related factors for selected plants

2.1 Identify nutritional requirements of selected plant species

2.2 Select soil analyses to be conducted using a suitable lab facility

2.3 Conduct plant tissue sample collection according to requirements of testing facility if applicable

2.4 Combine results of soil or tissue testing with observations of plant vigour and productivity to determine management and input requirements of the farming system

3. Select, design and implement allowable systems, techniques and inputs to optimise soil fertility

3.1 Identify range of allowable inputs according to requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce

3.2 Identify and implement cultural practices to enhance soil fertility, function and health

3.3 Calculate appropriate inputs based on soil/plant analyses, crop removal and plant/animal observations

3.4 Select and manage cover crop and pasture systems where applicable

3.5 Develop, apply and monitor mulching and composting systems where required

3.6 Design and implement crop rotations and grazing management systems to optimise soil fertility where appropriate

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:

implement principles of organic agriculture and agroecology

implement knowledge of interrelationships between soil fertility, animals, plants, pests and diseases

devise and implement a soil improvement plan to correct imbalances and maintain soil fertility

sample soils and analyse soil test results for a range of indicators of soil fertility

work with natural processes and allowable inputs to improve and maintain soil fertility

apply enterprise work health and safety policies and guidelines

implement enterprise environmental sustainability practices

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

availability, use and definition of organic fertilisers

structural properties of soils

factors contributing to soil acidity, sodicity and salinity

factors promoting soil and plant water-holding capacity

importance of soil biological activity

major nutrient elements and their role in plant growth

methods and inputs that can be used to correct imbalances and maintain soil fertility

principles of organic agriculture

processes and practices that impact on soil structure, biological activity, water-holding capacity and weed patterns

processes of aggregate and colloid formation

range of soil analyses available and principles of each

relationship between soil structure, water holding capacity and nutrient availability

role of organic matter, humus and micro-organisms

role of livestock in enhancing soil fertility

role of macro and micro-elements in soil and plants

role of weeds

significance of levels and balance of soil fertility indicators

soil food chains and food webs

soil textural types and determinants

when and how to take soil samples to test for indicators of soil fertility

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. Monitor indicators of soil fertility

1.1 Undertake work in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to the principles of organic agriculture, work health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines

1.2 Sample and test soil at reference sites according to organic industry standards to develop baseline data to monitor soil health and fertility

1.3 Assess and record soil pH, mineral balances, and organic matter levels

1.4 Assess and record soil texture, structure, salinity and sodicity

1.5 Assess and record soil biological activity

1.6 Assess soil condition for drainage, compaction, aeration and water infiltration in relation to requirements for desired plant growth for selected species

1.7 Analyse results to identify trends in soil health and fertility and areas for improvement

2. Assess soil-related factors for selected plants

2.1 Identify nutritional requirements of selected plant species

2.2 Select soil analyses to be conducted using a suitable lab facility

2.3 Conduct plant tissue sample collection according to requirements of testing facility if applicable

2.4 Combine results of soil or tissue testing with observations of plant vigour and productivity to determine management and input requirements of the farming system

3. Select, design and implement allowable systems, techniques and inputs to optimise soil fertility

3.1 Identify range of allowable inputs according to requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce

3.2 Identify and implement cultural practices to enhance soil fertility, function and health

3.3 Calculate appropriate inputs based on soil/plant analyses, crop removal and plant/animal observations

3.4 Select and manage cover crop and pasture systems where applicable

3.5 Develop, apply and monitor mulching and composting systems where required

3.6 Design and implement crop rotations and grazing management systems to optimise soil fertility where appropriate

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
Undertake work in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to the principles of organic agriculture, work health and safety requirements and enterprise guidelines 
Sample and test soil at reference sites according to organic industry standards to develop baseline data to monitor soil health and fertility 
Assess and record soil pH, mineral balances, and organic matter levels 
Assess and record soil texture, structure, salinity and sodicity 
Assess and record soil biological activity 
Assess soil condition for drainage, compaction, aeration and water infiltration in relation to requirements for desired plant growth for selected species 
Analyse results to identify trends in soil health and fertility and areas for improvement 
Identify nutritional requirements of selected plant species 
Select soil analyses to be conducted using a suitable lab facility 
Conduct plant tissue sample collection according to requirements of testing facility if applicable 
Combine results of soil or tissue testing with observations of plant vigour and productivity to determine management and input requirements of the farming system 
Identify range of allowable inputs according to requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce 
Identify and implement cultural practices to enhance soil fertility, function and health 
Calculate appropriate inputs based on soil/plant analyses, crop removal and plant/animal observations 
Select and manage cover crop and pasture systems where applicable 
Develop, apply and monitor mulching and composting systems where required 
Design and implement crop rotations and grazing management systems to optimise soil fertility where appropriate 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCORG403 - Manage organic soil improvement
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

AHCORG403 - Manage organic soil improvement

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: