Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop recommendations for integrated plant and animal systems and requires the application of sound knowledge of permaculture and a broad range of plant-related and animal-related skills.
All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.
This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement 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 scope of integrated plant and animal system required | 1.1 Identify client needs and the nature of the job by gathering all relevant information from the client 1.2 Assist client to understand the concept of an integrated plant and animal system 1.3 Define client needs using research and observation |
2. Develop options for preferred solutions | 2.1 Identify options or devise strategies using research and experiential awareness, permaculture principles and enterprise work procedures 2.2 Examine options or evaluate strategies using problem-solving techniques 2.3 Determine the options based on appropriate evidence, availability of resources, energy, sound cultural principles, permaculture practices, and enterprise work procedures |
3. Recommend the preferred solution | 3.1 Recommend the integrated plant and animal method of establishment and probable outcomes to the client 3.2 Refer to the origin of the plant and animal species and their cultural requirements in an integrated system where necessary 3.3 Respond appropriately to client requests for clarification or expansion 3.4 Prepare drawings and tables to show how the systems integrate to increase yields, reduce work and eliminate waste 3.5 Record recommendations and report to client appropriately |
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 client needs and the nature of the job
determine options for developing an integrated plant and animal system
communicate with clients, work team members, supervisors, suppliers, contractors and consultants
identify plants
provide information on the characteristics, needs and functions of plants and animals in integrated systems
interpret site designs, maps, ground plans and specifications
prepare drawings and tables showing how the systems integrate
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
permaculture principles related to integrated plant and animal systems
permaculture practices, such as:
minimising effort for maximum effect
multiple uses for each element in the system
more than one way of providing important functions
re-using and valuing resources and energy
encouraging productivity of the system
seeing solutions not problems
using vertical space and other edges and connections
preventing waste and loss of resources from the system
methods of design, such as planning spatially and allowing for overhead and underground structures, shadow, slope and sun angle
an understanding of the place of permaculture topics sometimes relevant to integrated plant and animal systems, such as:
pattern understanding
ecological principles
climate and weather
water
soils
earthworks
aquaculture
species identification and selection information
plants in integrated systems
animals in integrated systems
local plant suppliers, animal suppliers, consultants, services, products and contractors and availability of local resources
patterns in permaculture design, such as:
patterns in space, such as planting patterns, naturally occurring patterns in nature (radial and bilateral symmetry, spirals, circles, dendritic and mandala patterns)
patterns in time, such as succession planting, breeding cycles, seasonality
patterns in human culture, such as gardening systems
nature as the model for design, such as stacking or layering as with a natural forest
gravity as a force for design, such as using contours in design
nutrient, water and energy capture, storage and re-use according to the inputs, outputs and intrinsic features of the system
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III (or higher) in Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is not sufficient at this level.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Permaculture (PER)