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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare a plan for a biodynamic farming enterprise
   • Work is undertaken in an environmentally appropriate manner and according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and enterprise guidelines.
   • Requirements for biodynamic certification are identified.
   • Personal, ecological and financial goals for a biodynamic enterprise are incorporated into an enterprise plan.
   • Marketing plan for biodynamic produce is developed which maintains product quality and integrity.
   • Research findings for biodynamic agriculture are trialled within enterprise and incorporated into plans where appropriate.
2. Make and apply biodynamic field spray preparations
   • Horn Manure (500), Horn Silica (501) and Horn Clay preparations are made and stored correctly.
   • Preparations are stirred by creating vortex and chaos.
   • Equipment for application of biodynamic preparations is selected.
   • Equipment is calibrated and adjusted for suitable application rate.
   • Preparations are applied according to biodynamic principles.
3. Use biodynamic compost preparations, composts and liquid brews
   • Biodynamic compost preparations are used and stored according to biodynamic principles.
   • Materials and mineral inputs for compost are identified from farm production plan.
   • Compost heap is built.
   • Biodynamic preparations are applied to compost according to biodynamic principles.
   • Aeration, moisture and temperature of compost heap are monitored.
   • Compost is applied to enhance natural cycles.
4. Apply biodynamic principles and techniques to enhance soil and plant health
   • Planting, harvest and pruning times are planned with regard to moon rhythms and planetary patterns.
   • Soil and plant health is optimised using biodynamic preparations, cover crops, crop rotation, mulching and composting and through application of farm-based fertility products.
   • Weeds and insect pests in enterprise are identified.
   • Options for managing weeds and insects are evaluated that consider natural predators, life cycles, cultural practices, soil health and the plant community.
   • Plan for managing pests and weeds is developed and implemented.
5. Manage animals within a biodynamic production system
   • Soil and plant health are optimised to provide a nutrient-dense and balanced diet.
   • Grazing and feeding strategies are developed and incorporated into the biodynamic system.
   • Homeopathic remedies and allowable treatments are incorporated into animal health strategies.

Required Skills

Required skills

analysing soil test results and applying them to a biodynamic farm calibrating sprays and calculating application rates developing a biodynamic management plan from startup to full implementation developing biodynamic spray programs for various types of agriculture and horticulture systems making and using biodynamic compost manure concentrate seaweed tea various liquid brews and foliar sprays making and using biodynamic preparations stirring and spraying systems stirring water and other liquids by creating vortexes and chaos using planetary rhythms for seed sowing and cultivation use literacy skills to read interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures develop sequenced written instructions record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks use oral communication skillslanguage 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 numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data use interpersonal skills 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

Required knowledge

animal health biodynamic preparations and their role in soil food web and atmosphere biodiversity shelter belts birds and native bush on biodynamic farm calciumclaysilica polarities crop and animal rotation systems cultivation methods etheric and astral forces and how they relate to biodynamics experiments and testing methods such as chromatography and sensitive crystallisation green manuring management of insects and birds paradigms of various farming systems biodynamics organics and permaculture and holistic management peppering for animals and insects planting calendar purpose of various herbs and organs used for making biodynamic preparations relationship between soil plant animal and human health research in biodynamics rhythms and cycles of planets and moon role of the biodynamic preparations role of bacteria and fungi role of humus soil food web information how it is made its structure and feeding cycle water retention weed management principles practices and inputs allowable under the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce

Evidence Required

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
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 understand and apply biodynamic principles make and apply biodynamic preparations and compost enhance soil and plant health integrate and manage animals in a biodynamic enterprise plan for biodynamic production
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

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Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Organic may include:	the application of practices that emphasise the use of renewable resources conservation of energy, soil and water recognition of livestock welfare needs environmental maintenance and enhancement, while producing optimum quantities of produce without the use of artificial fertiliser or synthetic chemicals.
Biodynamic may include:	agricultural systems that introduce specific additional requirements to an organic system based on the application of preparations indicated by Rudolf Steiner and subsequent developments for management derived from practical application, experience and research based on these preparations.
Production may include:	any primary production involved in producing an agricultural or aquaculture product.

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