Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage on farm composting.
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 farm managers who work according to the principles of sustainable, organic and ecological agriculture. Work is likely to be done independently and according to the requirements of State regulations, Australian Standards, the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Organise for composting | 1.1 Confirm composting technology, recipe and method to be used are as appropriate to raw material types and farm enterprise needs 1.2 Define compost quality requirements for end product 1.3 Identify composting site requirements and prepare the composting area 1.4 Identify and implement measures are to manage drainage, dust, noise and odours 1.5 Select and check for serviceability and safe operation machinery, equipment and materials appropriate to the job 1.6 Identify and assess potential work health and safety hazards and take action to minimise risk to self and others 1.7 Select, fit, use, suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) 1.8 Maintain and store according to work requirements, manufacturer specifications and enterprise procedures 1.9 Comply with enterprise work health and safety guidelines |
2. Prepare raw materials and compost on farm | 2.1 Identify and collected raw materials and additives for composting, check to ensure compliance with enterprise procedures or organic standards if applicable; including assessment of physical or chemical contamination 2.2 Pre-process raw materials into suitable forms for composting if required 2.3 Mix raw materials are into suitable compost mixtures for composting according to documented recipes 2.4 Handle feedstock mixtures for composting according to technology, appropriate method, and industry best practice and enterprise procedures 2.5 Assign batch numbers or codes, and create batch documentation to enable tracking of batch through compost production cycle if required |
3. Manage and monitor the composting process | 3.1 Manage compost batches as required through the composting cycle 3.2 Monitor composting batch by observation or by use of field testing equipment to maintain effective composting process through the compost cycle 3.3 Maintain records for process control indicators through the compost production cycle 3.4 Identify problems observed at any stage of the composting process are and take remedial action to maintain effective and consistent compost production 3.5 Follow site quarantine, biosecurity protocols and farm and personal hygiene requirements are as required by enterprise guidelines |
4. Inspect compost quality and maintain site | 4.1 Inspect and assess finished compost is to determine if quality indicators have been met 4.2 Maintain and clean loading-shifting machinery and other processing equipment as required to avoid contamination between batches 4.3 Store raw materials and finished compost products in designated areas and kept processing site clean |
Evidence of Performance
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 and manage an on farm compost system
manage composting processes
manage a composting site
evaluate compost quality and implement remedial actions if required
implement enterprise work health and safety policies
follow site quarantine and biosecurity protocols
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
compost quality standards
basic principles of composting
different methods of composting
characteristics of a range of raw materials
fundamental characteristics of compost quality
steps in pre-processing compost materials
batch documentation techniques
site and equipment requirements for on farm composting
key process control stages critical to consistent compost production
overview of systems and technologies used in compost production, particularly as relevant to farm
characteristics and categories of a range of compost products.
relevant environmental, work health and safety legislation and regulations
record keeping requirements
site quarantine and biosecurity protocols
agro-ecological principles
principles, practices and inputs allowable under the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce if applicable
Assessment Conditions
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.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Organic Production (ORG)