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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan seed collection for a permaculture seed bank
   • 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
2. Implement seed collection program
   • 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
3. Maintain a seed collection
   • 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

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

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

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Knowledge Evidence

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

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