Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

Comments 

1

AHC10v4

Initial release

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

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  which apply to organic production and marketing.

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 and landscape features .

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 compliance 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.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this Unit.

Required skills include:

Ability to: 

• conduct sector analysis
• conduct soil mapping within a farm context
• conduct risk analysis for adjoining land-use
• identify natural and sensitive areas
• apply land-shape design methodology
• use permaculture design methodology
• map physical and biological features of the landscape
• develop design rules
• apply research skills
• use literacy skills to interpret, analyse and extract information from a range of sources such as professional literature, legal documents, discussions and workshops and to locate, read, interpret and convey information in written, diagrammatic and/or verbal form
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views
• use interpersonal techniques to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and complex workplace measures and data
• use problem-solving skills to identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and in the application of different planning processes.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of: 

• applicable legislative documents and codes of practice relevant to farm landscape planning
• landscape types
• habitat/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 evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this Unit must be able to provide evidence that they can design and document an organic farm landscape.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• 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 and landscape features of the property
• 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.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

Method of assessment

• Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the AHC10 Training Package and can be assessed holistically with other Units.
• Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge.
• Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills.
• Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the required knowledge.
• Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
• Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
• Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other Units of Competency.
• The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.
• Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English.
• Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment.
• Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Industry standards  may include:

• national organic standards
• industry requirements
• organisation requirements
• required environmental protection
• animal welfare.

Key clauses and requirements  may refer to:

• farm infrastructure
• cultural sites
• habitat zones
• plant communities
• endangered species
• natural resources
• natural and sensitive areas requiring protection and/or enhancement
• buffer zone requirements
• soil types
• aspect
• slope
• micro climates.

Landscape features  may include:

• existing infrastructure
• cultural sites
• habitat zones
• plant communities
• endangered species
• natural resources

• creeks, rivers, swamp, water soak
• rock outcrops
• stands of timber
• caves
• salt/mud flats

• natural and sensitive areas requiring protection and/ or enhancement
• buffer zone requirements
• soil types
• aspect
• slope
• micro climates.

Land capability  may include:

• industry standard capability system
• customised system to meet individual business requirements.

Key farm rules  are:

• rules that will guide the development of the farm design to meet the requirements of the overall farm vision.

Design tools  may include:

• sector analysis
• land shape design
• permaculture design tools
• keyline design
• landscapes for agro-ecosystems
• landscapes for habitat
• patterns to detail
• zoning.