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Evidence Guide: AHCPER319 - Test, improve and maintain healthy soil in a permaculture system

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

AHCPER319 - Test, improve and maintain healthy soil in a permaculture system

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Take soil samples from a number of places in the permaculture system

  1. Obtain samples from several places over a site
  2. Prepare the samples for testing
  3. Label containers accurately with location identifier, date, soil test and tester
Obtain samples from several places over a site

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare the samples for testing

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Label containers accurately with location identifier, date, soil test and tester

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Test soil for range of plant and structural needs

  1. Carry out soil tests for texture, organic matter, structure, pH, water infiltration and compaction
  2. Have samples tested by a laboratory for nutrient levels and deficiencies if concerned or if particular requirements exist for the crops and livestock in the permaculture system
  3. Re-test in a different season or soil temperature
Carry out soil tests for texture, organic matter, structure, pH, water infiltration and compaction

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have samples tested by a laboratory for nutrient levels and deficiencies if concerned or if particular requirements exist for the crops and livestock in the permaculture system

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Re-test in a different season or soil temperature

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analyse soil improvement requirements

  1. Determine requirements for soil improvement from tests carried out
  2. Determine requirements for soil improvement from the laboratory test results, if taken
  3. Identify soil biota in soil and ascertain how to optimise biodiversity
  4. Research soil improvement options, including discussing with neighbours and experienced practitioners appropriate options for soil improvement
Determine requirements for soil improvement from tests carried out

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Determine requirements for soil improvement from the laboratory test results, if taken

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify soil biota in soil and ascertain how to optimise biodiversity

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research soil improvement options, including discussing with neighbours and experienced practitioners appropriate options for soil improvement

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Implementing soil improvement plan

  1. Develop a plan for soil improvement over time and vary it depending on the location on the site and the crop or livestock being grown
  2. Calculate required quantities of allowable additives and supplements to improve soil health
  3. Use products at recommended rates and according to any existing certification system applying to the land
  4. Protect soil biota present in soil, including using appropriate mulches for perennial and annual plants
Develop a plan for soil improvement over time and vary it depending on the location on the site and the crop or livestock being grown

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculate required quantities of allowable additives and supplements to improve soil health

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use products at recommended rates and according to any existing certification system applying to the land

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protect soil biota present in soil, including using appropriate mulches for perennial and annual plants

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain health of soil according to organic guidelines

  1. Observe changes over time and record using tables and photographic records
  2. Avoid practices that can cause deterioration in soil health such as over- or under- watering, over-grazing, over-cultivating and off-contour ploughing
  3. Follow organic and permaculture guidelines to increase soil carbon
Observe changes over time and record using tables and photographic records

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avoid practices that can cause deterioration in soil health such as over- or under- watering, over-grazing, over-cultivating and off-contour ploughing

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow organic and permaculture guidelines to increase soil carbon

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Take soil samples from a number of places in the permaculture system

1.1 Obtain samples from several places over a site

1.2 Prepare the samples for testing

1.3 Label containers accurately with location identifier, date, soil test and tester

2. Test soil for range of plant and structural needs

2.1 Carry out soil tests for texture, organic matter, structure, pH, water infiltration and compaction

2.2 Have samples tested by a laboratory for nutrient levels and deficiencies if concerned or if particular requirements exist for the crops and livestock in the permaculture system

2.3 Re-test in a different season or soil temperature

3. Analyse soil improvement requirements

3.1 Determine requirements for soil improvement from tests carried out

3.2 Determine requirements for soil improvement from the laboratory test results, if taken

3.3 Identify soil biota in soil and ascertain how to optimise biodiversity

3.4 Research soil improvement options, including discussing with neighbours and experienced practitioners appropriate options for soil improvement

4. Implementing soil improvement plan

4.1 Develop a plan for soil improvement over time and vary it depending on the location on the site and the crop or livestock being grown

4.2 Calculate required quantities of allowable additives and supplements to improve soil health

4.3 Use products at recommended rates and according to any existing certification system applying to the land

4.4 Protect soil biota present in soil, including using appropriate mulches for perennial and annual plants

5. Maintain health of soil according to organic guidelines

5.1 Observe changes over time and record using tables and photographic records

5.2 Avoid practices that can cause deterioration in soil health such as over- or under- watering, over-grazing, over-cultivating and off-contour ploughing

5.3 Follow organic and permaculture guidelines to increase soil carbon

Required Skills and Knowledge

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Take soil samples from a number of places in the permaculture system

1.1 Obtain samples from several places over a site

1.2 Prepare the samples for testing

1.3 Label containers accurately with location identifier, date, soil test and tester

2. Test soil for range of plant and structural needs

2.1 Carry out soil tests for texture, organic matter, structure, pH, water infiltration and compaction

2.2 Have samples tested by a laboratory for nutrient levels and deficiencies if concerned or if particular requirements exist for the crops and livestock in the permaculture system

2.3 Re-test in a different season or soil temperature

3. Analyse soil improvement requirements

3.1 Determine requirements for soil improvement from tests carried out

3.2 Determine requirements for soil improvement from the laboratory test results, if taken

3.3 Identify soil biota in soil and ascertain how to optimise biodiversity

3.4 Research soil improvement options, including discussing with neighbours and experienced practitioners appropriate options for soil improvement

4. Implementing soil improvement plan

4.1 Develop a plan for soil improvement over time and vary it depending on the location on the site and the crop or livestock being grown

4.2 Calculate required quantities of allowable additives and supplements to improve soil health

4.3 Use products at recommended rates and according to any existing certification system applying to the land

4.4 Protect soil biota present in soil, including using appropriate mulches for perennial and annual plants

5. Maintain health of soil according to organic guidelines

5.1 Observe changes over time and record using tables and photographic records

5.2 Avoid practices that can cause deterioration in soil health such as over- or under- watering, over-grazing, over-cultivating and off-contour ploughing

5.3 Follow organic and permaculture guidelines to increase soil carbon

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:

take soil samples

test soils

analyse soil improvement requirements

implement soil improvement plan according to permaculture guidelines

maintain soil health

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and practices related to soil health and plant nutrition

working with natural soils rather than importing soil

soil as an ecosystem

soil as biomass and carbon capture and storage

principles of sustainable horticultural practices

how to read a laboratory soil test

soil testing techniques, such as:

jar test for soil structure

ribbon test and ball test for soil texture

infiltration or permeability test

pH testing

compaction test

non-wetting soil test

air-filled porosity test

worm count

microscopic biota in soils

plant nutrient uptake and mineral action

soil chemistry

science of composting

fungal and bacterial action and mulches appropriate to different plants

additives to improve soils, such as

compost and worm castings compost teas

biochar

green manures

organic mulch

manures/animal bedding materials

leaf mould

plantings – green manures, nurse plants

companion planting

chop and drop

nutrient trapping systems

greywater use

organically certified products

amendments that may include rock dust, gypsum, dolomite, lime, zircon, sulphur and other minerals

plant growth and development

soil life, including microscopic life

methods of waste disposal causing minimal impact on the environment

the effects of conventional agricultural chemicals on soils and soil ecosystems

Range Statement