Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to design and document an organic farm landscape that will be used as the basis for an organic farm enterprise.
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 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. Source legislative requirements which impact on the management of an organic farm | 1.1 Identify and access applicable legislative documents and codes of practice relevant to the design and planning of an organic farming enterprise 1.2 Investigate work practices and procedures which follow industry standards 1.3 Identify and interpret key clauses and requirements 1.4 Identify relevant work practices and procedures which comply with regulatory requirements and codes of practice |
2. Audit the natural resources and infrastructure of the property | 2.1 Identify and record property physical and biological characteristics 2.2 Develop a farm soil map 2.3 Determine land capability 2.4 Conduct a risk analysis of the farm and adjoining land-use to determine potential compliance issues with organic standards, legislative and environmental requirements |
3. Develop an organic landscape plan | 3.1 Identify key design parameters to meet financial, social and sustainability goals 3.2 Develop and document key farm rules 3.3 Investigate short term and long term uncertainties for the farm system 3.4 Investigate design options which impact on these long term changes 3.5 Identify and use appropriate design tools 3.6 Develop a concept framework |
4. Document the organic landscape plan | 4.1 Review the draft plan against the financial, social and sustainability goals 4.2 Document the plan |
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:
source and interpret legislative requirements industry standards and codes of practice
identify compliant work practices and procedures
conduct an audit of the natural resources and infrastructure of the property
identify physical and biological characteristics
develop farm soil map and determine land capability
develop an organic landscape plan using appropriate development tools
revise a draft plan and document the final organic landscape plan
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
applicable legislative documents and codes of practice relevant to farm landscape planning
landscape types
habitat and plant communities on farm
relationship between land shape and soil type
soil types
different categories of cultural sites
organic certification requirements
landscape hydrology
landscapes for agro-ecosystems
native habitat requirements
the requirements of the organic standard and agro-ecological principles
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)