Assessor Resource

AHCPER409
Manage a permaculture seed bank

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage a permaculture seed bank. It requires the ability to plan seed collection, implement seed collection and maintain a seed collection in storage. Managing a permaculture seed bank requires knowledge of plant biology, handling and extraction of seed, treatment and documentation, collecting ethics, protocols and legislative parameters and storage techniques.

All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.

This unit applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems.

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. Plan seed collection for a permaculture seed bank

1.1 Analyse requirements for seed collecting, and interpret them for required seed characteristics and implementation issues

1.2 Identify opportunities for seed collection from field observation and liaison with other specialists in this field

1.3 Identify and mark on a plan suitable areas and plants for seed collection

1.4 Select method of seed collection appropriate to the geography of the local area, size and type of plants and available resources

1.5 Determine and document quantity of seed to be collected from each provenance

1.6 Liaise with relevant authorities or owners and seek approvals where required

2. Implement seed collection program

2.1 Coordinate and schedule people, materials and equipment required by the seed collection program

2.2 Identify and obtain any permits and approvals required for the seed collection

2.3 Identify the seed and complete the required documentation

3. Maintain a seed collection

3.1 Check the quantity, quality and provenances of the collected seed

3.2 Check and monitor the health of seed collected and take remedial action where required

3.3 Control pests and conditions detrimental to seed health

3.4 Dispose appropriately of seeds that are non-viable owing to age or pest attack

3.5 Supply true to type and appropriately labelled seed to others

3.6 Record up to date details of seeds held in storage

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:

plan seed collection

implement a seed collection program

maintain a seed collection

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

flowering biology of the target species

biological signs which indicate that the seed crop is ready to be collected

seed banks, such as:

community seed banks and networks

private seed collections

organic food production enterprises such as market gardens

community supported agriculture seed sources

community garden and city farm seed banks

supply of vegetative propagation for perennial plants

heritage and non-hybrid seed distributors

heritage and non-hybrid seed producers

permaculture plant and seed nurseries

community seed swaps

methods of seed collection, such as:

hand-picking seeds or seed capsules

harvesting whole plant

collecting and ripening fruit

collecting after felling

using ladders

climbing

shaking

high-powered rifles (licensed operators only)

elevated platforms

extraction of the seed from the collected material

handling of the seed crop after picking

storage of seed, such as:

bags or envelopes

appropriate containers

cool, dry location

dehumidifying agents (silica gel, wood ash)

oxygen exclusion techniques

freezer or refrigerator

pest deterrent mechanisms

light exclusion mechanisms

documentation of the extracted seed, such as:

information on provenance

botanical name: family, genus, species, variety and/or cultivar

common names

brief plant description

identity of collector

date collected or use by date

quantity (by weight or number of seeds)

viability test results

organic certification of grower

growing instructions such as recommended season and spacing

provenances of seed, such as:

location and growing conditions of parent plant

sub-catchment identification of seed from endemic native plant populations

species and/or varieties adapted to local conditions

collecting ethics, protocols and legislative parameters, such as:

limits on quantity allowed for collection

limits on time period for collection

particular use or destination for seed

indigenous plant regulatory conditions

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also have a nationally accredited Certificate IV or Diploma of Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) or non-accredited Permaculture Diploma 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. Plan seed collection for a permaculture seed bank

1.1 Analyse requirements for seed collecting, and interpret them for required seed characteristics and implementation issues

1.2 Identify opportunities for seed collection from field observation and liaison with other specialists in this field

1.3 Identify and mark on a plan suitable areas and plants for seed collection

1.4 Select method of seed collection appropriate to the geography of the local area, size and type of plants and available resources

1.5 Determine and document quantity of seed to be collected from each provenance

1.6 Liaise with relevant authorities or owners and seek approvals where required

2. Implement seed collection program

2.1 Coordinate and schedule people, materials and equipment required by the seed collection program

2.2 Identify and obtain any permits and approvals required for the seed collection

2.3 Identify the seed and complete the required documentation

3. Maintain a seed collection

3.1 Check the quantity, quality and provenances of the collected seed

3.2 Check and monitor the health of seed collected and take remedial action where required

3.3 Control pests and conditions detrimental to seed health

3.4 Dispose appropriately of seeds that are non-viable owing to age or pest attack

3.5 Supply true to type and appropriately labelled seed to others

3.6 Record up to date details of seeds held in storage

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:

plan seed collection

implement a seed collection program

maintain a seed collection

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

flowering biology of the target species

biological signs which indicate that the seed crop is ready to be collected

seed banks, such as:

community seed banks and networks

private seed collections

organic food production enterprises such as market gardens

community supported agriculture seed sources

community garden and city farm seed banks

supply of vegetative propagation for perennial plants

heritage and non-hybrid seed distributors

heritage and non-hybrid seed producers

permaculture plant and seed nurseries

community seed swaps

methods of seed collection, such as:

hand-picking seeds or seed capsules

harvesting whole plant

collecting and ripening fruit

collecting after felling

using ladders

climbing

shaking

high-powered rifles (licensed operators only)

elevated platforms

extraction of the seed from the collected material

handling of the seed crop after picking

storage of seed, such as:

bags or envelopes

appropriate containers

cool, dry location

dehumidifying agents (silica gel, wood ash)

oxygen exclusion techniques

freezer or refrigerator

pest deterrent mechanisms

light exclusion mechanisms

documentation of the extracted seed, such as:

information on provenance

botanical name: family, genus, species, variety and/or cultivar

common names

brief plant description

identity of collector

date collected or use by date

quantity (by weight or number of seeds)

viability test results

organic certification of grower

growing instructions such as recommended season and spacing

provenances of seed, such as:

location and growing conditions of parent plant

sub-catchment identification of seed from endemic native plant populations

species and/or varieties adapted to local conditions

collecting ethics, protocols and legislative parameters, such as:

limits on quantity allowed for collection

limits on time period for collection

particular use or destination for seed

indigenous plant regulatory conditions

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also have a nationally accredited Certificate IV or Diploma of Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) or non-accredited Permaculture Diploma 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
Analyse requirements for seed collecting, and interpret them for required seed characteristics and implementation issues 
Identify opportunities for seed collection from field observation and liaison with other specialists in this field 
Identify and mark on a plan suitable areas and plants for seed collection 
Select method of seed collection appropriate to the geography of the local area, size and type of plants and available resources 
Determine and document quantity of seed to be collected from each provenance 
Liaise with relevant authorities or owners and seek approvals where required 
Coordinate and schedule people, materials and equipment required by the seed collection program 
Identify and obtain any permits and approvals required for the seed collection 
Identify the seed and complete the required documentation 
Check the quantity, quality and provenances of the collected seed 
Check and monitor the health of seed collected and take remedial action where required 
Control pests and conditions detrimental to seed health 
Dispose appropriately of seeds that are non-viable owing to age or pest attack 
Supply true to type and appropriately labelled seed to others 
Record up to date details of seeds held in storage 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPER409 - Manage a permaculture seed bank
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

AHCPER409 - Manage a permaculture seed bank

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: