Assessor Resource

AHCPER312
Plan organic garden and orchard systems

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan organic garden and orchard systems. It requires the application of horticultural and permaculture knowledge including permaculture principles, plant types, conditions and requirements to establish orchards for optimum production.

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.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1. Assess site for organic garden and orchard system

1.1 Inspect the site for environmental and physical attributes

1.2 Research site characteristics, using a range of information sources

1.3 Test soil and analyse the results

1.4 Identify site constraints and opportunities

1.5 Define location of existing structures and services

1.6 Prepare site plan and zone and sector plan of site, based on information collected

2. Select plants for organic garden and orchard system

2.1 Select suitable plant varieties and types

2.2 Determine preferred type of plant materials for planting

2.3 Determine number and size of plants and plant materials

3. Develop planting plan for organic garden and orchard system

3.1 Identify zone and sector details from the site plan

3.2 Identify and place plants to be installed

3.3 Record required actions, timelines and specific information on the plan

3.4 Investigate availability of plants, materials and services for the system

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:

assess site for planting

test soil and analyse the results

select plants

identify zones and sectors of site to ascertain best planting locations

identify structures and services and how these may impact on the plan

develop planting plan to include at least 5 fruit trees or shrubs

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and ethics

permaculture site planning

boundaries of sites drawn at an appropriate scale

direction of North (or sunward)

location of plants

other information relevant to a permaculture garden and orchard system drawn in clear and accurate graphic style

planting schedules and timelines, including Gantt charts

zone and sector planning, such as:

zones for garden and orchard systems (Zones 1 and 2)

sector information such as prevailing winds, fire aspect, winter and summer sun angles, best locations for sun-loving and shade-tolerant species

microclimate information

zone and sector plans drawn as overlays to a site plan

garden and orchard systems, such as:

an orchard with 5 to 10 or more assorted fruit trees or shrubs

integrated plant and animal systems

consideration of and design for plant ecosystem relationships

soil structure, types and function, including soil tests for agricultural purposes

soil maintenance and improvement techniques

aims and purposes of building organic garden and orchard systems

design principles for organic garden and orchard systems

features and characteristics of plants used in organic garden and orchard systems

growing requirements of plants used in organic garden and orchard systems

biosecurity policies and principles

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.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1. Assess site for organic garden and orchard system

1.1 Inspect the site for environmental and physical attributes

1.2 Research site characteristics, using a range of information sources

1.3 Test soil and analyse the results

1.4 Identify site constraints and opportunities

1.5 Define location of existing structures and services

1.6 Prepare site plan and zone and sector plan of site, based on information collected

2. Select plants for organic garden and orchard system

2.1 Select suitable plant varieties and types

2.2 Determine preferred type of plant materials for planting

2.3 Determine number and size of plants and plant materials

3. Develop planting plan for organic garden and orchard system

3.1 Identify zone and sector details from the site plan

3.2 Identify and place plants to be installed

3.3 Record required actions, timelines and specific information on the plan

3.4 Investigate availability of plants, materials and services for the system

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:

assess site for planting

test soil and analyse the results

select plants

identify zones and sectors of site to ascertain best planting locations

identify structures and services and how these may impact on the plan

develop planting plan to include at least 5 fruit trees or shrubs

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and ethics

permaculture site planning

boundaries of sites drawn at an appropriate scale

direction of North (or sunward)

location of plants

other information relevant to a permaculture garden and orchard system drawn in clear and accurate graphic style

planting schedules and timelines, including Gantt charts

zone and sector planning, such as:

zones for garden and orchard systems (Zones 1 and 2)

sector information such as prevailing winds, fire aspect, winter and summer sun angles, best locations for sun-loving and shade-tolerant species

microclimate information

zone and sector plans drawn as overlays to a site plan

garden and orchard systems, such as:

an orchard with 5 to 10 or more assorted fruit trees or shrubs

integrated plant and animal systems

consideration of and design for plant ecosystem relationships

soil structure, types and function, including soil tests for agricultural purposes

soil maintenance and improvement techniques

aims and purposes of building organic garden and orchard systems

design principles for organic garden and orchard systems

features and characteristics of plants used in organic garden and orchard systems

growing requirements of plants used in organic garden and orchard systems

biosecurity policies and principles

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.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Inspect the site for environmental and physical attributes 
Research site characteristics, using a range of information sources 
Test soil and analyse the results 
Identify site constraints and opportunities 
Define location of existing structures and services 
Prepare site plan and zone and sector plan of site, based on information collected 
Select suitable plant varieties and types 
Determine preferred type of plant materials for planting 
Determine number and size of plants and plant materials 
Identify zone and sector details from the site plan 
Identify and place plants to be installed 
Record required actions, timelines and specific information on the plan 
Investigate availability of plants, materials and services for the system 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPER312 - Plan organic garden and orchard systems
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPER312 - Plan organic garden and orchard systems

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: