Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and monitor a sustainable production plan for an organic and/or agro-ecological farming system.
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. Identify personal and enterprise goals | 1.1 Identify and record personal goals 1.2 Identify and document physical, biological, social and financial resources under management 1.3 Identify and analyse the values, expectations and personal goals of customers, stakeholders and employees 1.4 Identify and document sustainability goals using current and historical industry data and organisational records |
2. Research and evaluate available sustainable production systems | 2.1 Identify and document potential enterprises and evaluate against identified goals and resources 2.2 Research and evaluate applicable sustainable production systems information from a range of sources for identified enterprises 2.3 Identify and document a selected production system that meets sustainability and enterprise management goals of the farm 2.4 Compare the elements of the selected system with the systems and production processes that currently exist on the farm 2.5 Assess the selected system against enterprise goals and sustainability principles and record the findings |
3. Develop a sustainable production plan | 3.1 Document required modifications to existing farm system processes and infrastructure for the chosen enterprises and production systems 3.2 Identify and document optimal production targets 3.3 Identify inputs and system design elements required to achieve the production targets 3.4 Establish risk management strategies 3.5 Identify record keeping requirements 3.6 Develop and document a sustainable production plan for the selected enterprises and production systems |
4. Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of the sustainable production systems | 4.1 Establish farm system monitoring procedures and performance indicators 4.2 Monitor performance indicators and against production 4.3 Evaluate production and sustainability data against the sustainable production plan goals 4.4 Modify the enterprise mix or production system where differences between the sustainable production plan and actual results are identified 4.5 Identify, monitor and assess environmental impacts and work health and safety hazards relating to the production processes throughout the production cycle |
5. Record and manage information and data | 5.1 Create and maintain records and documents in line with the production plan, the work health and safety requirements, and machinery and equipment management programs 5.2 Maintain record keeping systems and data to enterprise and industry standards and requirements 5.3 Prepare and assess recommendations for future sustainable production plans 5.4 Document revised plans and note changes in organic management plan (OMP), if applicable |
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:
identify personal and enterprise goals
identify and document physical, biological, social and financial resources under management
research and evaluate sustainable production systems and select and document a production system that meets sustainability and enterprise management goals
develop a sustainable production plan
match land capacity with production system design
monitor and evaluate effectiveness of the sustainable production system
modify the enterprise mix or production system where differences between the sustainable production plan and actual results are identified
record and manage farm system information and data
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
applicable federal, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes in developing and monitoring a sustainable production plan
relevant legislation and regulations relating to work health and safety, contractor engagement, animal health and welfare, chemical use and application, vehicle and plant use and soil and water degradation issues
environmental protection requirements and codes of practice, including the safe disposal of products and waste material, available to the organisation
organisational policies and procedures, standards and site requirements for risk management and hazard identification
sustainable land use principles and practices applicable in the region
farm planning processes
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)