Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Contents
Introduction to Organic Landscape Design ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________- 2 Sample Topic Sheet with explanations ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________- 3 Understanding the existing landscape ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________- 4 Topic 1:
Gathering the data ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 4 -
Topic 2:
Farm Rules __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 5 -
Topic 3:
Vision _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 6 -
Topic 4:
Organic Standards ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 7 -
Topic 5:
Designing in uncertainty _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 8 -
Topic 6:
Land Shape __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 9 -
Design Tools ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________- 10 Topic 7:
Permaculture design tools _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 10 -
Topic 8:
Water on your land ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 11 -
Topic 9:
Planning for habitat development _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 12 -
Topic 10:
Planning with energy in mind __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 13 -
Putting it all together _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________- 14 Topic 11:
Developing the design _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 14 -
Information regarding the National Competencies concerning this learning guide _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 15 What you can already do. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - 19 -
Version date 12/02/2016
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Introduction to Organic Landscape Design
Welcome to the organic landscape design module guide. You have elected to study organic farming
through this flexible style designed specifically for remote students. It is a style based on our face to face
teaching. We have tried to emulate our classroom discussions over considerable distance. This means that
we expect questions and discussions from you just as if you were in the classroom. If you are unsure of
something, just put up your hand and ask.
find this an easy way to locate some of the references, as they are hyperlinked to the web or to their file on
the CD. When resourcing material from the internet, be sure you are clear on whether the information is
from a southern hemisphere source or northern (the seasons will be reversed). Climatic conditions vary
across the world and these impact on management decisions and research results. What works in the Italian
alps may not be useful in central Australia!
As a prospective owner/manager of an organic production enterprise you need to know the many features
involved in the complex system to gain and maintain your organic certification. Without a through
knowledge of the intricate attributes of the landscape, you will have difficulty in designing a system that
you will be able to manage and work in harmony with. Organic landscape design is one of the most
important aspects of organic production.
There is a vast array of reference material available when you start looking. This information is of varied
quality. Be sure to question the validity of the information and as well as its source. Much of the
information you find will be quite correct, but, it may not comply with organic standards. When you are in
doubt contact your teacher or mentor for verification. This “feel” for organic inputs and procedures is
something you will develop as you delve deeper into organic farming and gain expertise in interpreting the
organic standards.
As indicated in the program outline booklet, the organic certification learning guide has been divided into
three sections:
1. Understand the existing landscape
2. Design tools, and,
3. Putting it all together
The module guides are not complete learning packages. They are simply guides to lead you through your
learning.
Make sure you submit your work to allow your teacher to assess it and provide you with the marks you
deserve. Due to the distances involved for students, we recommend that you keep a copy of all your
assessments. This is a good risk management strategy for lost or stolen work.
These sections have been further divided into topics.
“Understand the existing landscape” deals what you already have, identifying your vision and how this fits
in with your farm rules, the impact of the organic standards on farm design, and how to read the landscape.
“Design tools” section guides you through selection a tools for designing your farm. There are topics on
how to use the permaculture design tool, how water behaves on your land, the importance of wildlife
within your land management system, and tools to understand the importance if energy flow within your
system.
There is a sample topic sheet following to further explain how this style of learning works.
The back of this guide outlines the national competency details. These competencies have been broken
down and re-amalgamated to form the basis of the module guide. These pages give many clues and hints as
to where your learning is heading and highlights the knowledge and the skills you need to demonstrate to
your teacher. Asking and answering questions with your teacher and presenting complete works from your
module guide will demonstrate these.
The “Putting it all together” section compiles all your previous topics and develops the landscape design
plan. It utilises the variety of tools to design a system compatible with the organic standards, your farm
rules and your legal requirements.
Some of the tasks required in this module guide are repeated from the organic soil management guide and
the livestock and plant guides. As you work through the course, you need to repeatedly ask yourself the
same questions, but from different perspectives. In the end you will come out of the fog and have a far
greater appreciation of what you have learnt and how to farm organically.
The first tasks you have are to download copies of the organic standards and an Organic Management Plan.
These two documents will be used throughout the learning guide and you can commence filling in your
organic management plan for later certification.
Enjoy your study and engage yourself in discussions with your teachers, mentors and any other remote
students you may meet on your journey through organic farming.
Working through this fog is a vital part of your learning.
To pass this group of subjects you have to work through the guide. Talk to your teacher about what is
required for assessment and the most appropriate way for you to undertake the various tasks listed in the
“What you have to do” column. It is important that the work you do is appropriate, relevant and suitable for
your farm. If you feel that you are already doing some of this work, discuss with your teacher the
likelihood of getting some credits. This is further explained in the section titled “What you can already do.”
We have listed minimal references to encourage you to source information that suits your operation. The
references can be found on the CD. They are either linked to their web site, or they may be linked to the
CD, for your convenience. There is an electronic copy of the module guide included on the CD. You may
Version date 12/02/2016
The time it takes to complete this guide will, undoubtedly, depend of the effort you exert. There is some
waiting for various aspects in some topics. As you wait, we recommend that you turn the page and continue
on with the next topic. If you are funded through Farmbis, your funding will expire after six months.
Further items of interest may be found on the NEC organic farm wiki site: http://tiny.cc/efarm
If you have any queries at all, your first port of call is the distance education officer at the NEC and your
query will be passed onto the appropriate teacher. NEC switchboard 0260436700 or
ricourseinfonec@tafensw.edu.au
An overarching module in this Diploma level course is RTE5526A, Develop an Organic Management Plan.
This is achieved throughout all the module guides and is included here, in the Organic Landscape Design
guide. You will receive your results for this competency when you have finished the whole course and have
compiled your OMP.
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Sample Topic Sheet with explanations
Module group
Topic number:
One of several main groups that the course has
been divided into.
Section
Each module group has been further divided into different appropriate
sections from introductory areas through to your management plan area.
The sections have been split into topics that will be covered separately.
Here we give a general picture what this topic is about and how this topic helps you develop your management plans. We try to indicate how and what you are going to learn and how it fits into the overall
section. You will need to read the section in the standards relating to the topic.
Here is a brief time line on how long you could expect it to take to complete this topic.
What you need to find out
References/Resources
This includes some key words
and questions on what you need
to learn. This indicates where
you are going in this topic.
Here are some references for you to start
with. This is by no means complete and
you are encouraged to source further,
appropriate reference material for your
particular farm operation. Many of these
references will be included as web links
in the reference file on the
accompanying CD.
Background knowledge
This is some
introductory learning on
the topic.
Learning to source this information is
part of your learning progress and will
assist you develop more complete
management plans for your farm.
You should check the resources listed to
make sure you have received them in
your learning package, eg worksheets,
CD, etc; and that you have access to
some others from your own home eg
shovels, buckets etc.
What you have to do
These are the activities that you need to
undertake to learn what has been indicated in
the “What you need to find out” column. You
need to forward these to your teacher for
assessment to pass the topic.
It will not be possible to pass the course
without undertaking these activities and
forwarding the appropriate material to your
teacher.
It is critical to consult your teacher to discuss
your thoughts and ensure you have the correct
idea on what is expected for assessment
before you start.
The course has been developed to encourage
you to communicate with your teacher to
enhance your learning opportunities.
and
done
Tick off “things to do” as you finish them.
Sub-topic
reflection
Where to from here?
This section is neither
compulsory nor assessed. It
has been included to help you,
independently, assess how
your learning is progressing,
how it is impacting on your
farm and how you manage
your enterprises.
For those who want more, we
have included some further
areas of interest. Try to expand
your thoughts beyond the basic
course requirements. Again,
this section is not assessed.
At Home
This relates to how this
affects your home.
Your mentor will be an invaluable
resource to apply this learning to your
farm
Later on
After you appreciate
how this affects your
own farm, where do you
go?
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group
Topic 1:
Organic Landscape Design
Section
Understanding the existing landscape
Gathering the data
One of the keys to organic farming is designing a farm landscape plan. This topic looks at the data you need to collect to give you a basis for your plan.
You will need to spend some time collecting information from your soil module guide. To this you will add further information. Your sector analysis requires some time to digest and process, so you can get a
good grip on the implications.
Sub-topic
Background
knowledge
Farm map
Review of some
material from soils
unit
Sector analysis
Native plants and
animals
What you need to find out
One of the things you need to
know for this unit is how to read a
contour map, please contact your
teacher to discuss this.)







Landscape types
Soil types
Habitat/plant communities
Cultural sites
Native plants and animals
Farm map
Sector analysis
References/Resources
You will need your soil
management worksheets.
Worksheet 1 – check list
Permaculture sector analysis
What you have to do
Work sheet 1 – check list
Source (or sketch) a topographical map of
your farm.
On your farm map identify the :
 landscape types
 Soil types
 Habitat/plant communities
 Cultural sites
and
done
reflection
The possibilities for gathering
information to inform the farm
design process are endless.
Given the time constraints to
complete this unit it is important
to get started with what
information you can get over a
week or two.
Where to from here?
A farm plan is a work in
progress, as more
information becomes
available later it can be
incorporated into you design
framework.
[This information was developed in topic
2 of the organic soil management module
group]
Overlay your existing farm layout on your
landscape map.
At Home
Sector analysis of your farm
Worksheet 1b farm sector analysis
Your farm map
Farm surface
hydrology
Understanding how surface water
behaves on your farm
Worksheet 1c neighbouring land use
Water resources
Worksheet 1d sketch surface hydrology
Worksheet 1b farm sector analysis
In many parts of Australia the
farm surface hydrology will vary
enormously from year to year.
This needs to be kept in mind
when mapping and planning
surface water.
Worksheet 1c neighbouring land use
Worksheet 1d sketch surface
hydrology
Later on
What other base information do I
need for my farm design
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Farm Management Information
Sheet
List other important information
View your farm from the different
perspectives of annual, seasonal variation.
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group Organic Landscape Design
Topic 2:
Section Understanding the existing landscape
Farm Rules
Farm rules are a way of setting a framework for decision making in the design process
This was covered in topic 8 in the organic soil management module group – there is no need to do this again, but it may be worth reviewing. The further you go along the path towards organic farming the more
and more you will see the need to develop your farm rules. Have a look at this again from the broader perspective of landscape design, not only soil management.
Sub-topic
What you need to find out
Background
knowledge
Intro to farm rules
Organic farming rules
Other legislation
Your own farm rules
References/Resources
What you have to do
NEC farm rules presentation on the
CD.
Access the Organic Standards. What parts of
the standards cover landscape design?
Organic standards
List other legislation and how it affects your
landscape design.
and
done
reflection
How do you think these
rules could impact on
ecosystems in the soil and
over the farming
landscape?
Where to from here?
Are these rules relevant on a
global scale?
Look at the NEC presentation.
At Home
The rules that govern your farm.
Worksheet - Farm Rules.
Outline your farm rules
Impact at home
How do your rules impact on your farm
design?
Investigate the relevant
legislation impacting on
how you run your farm
Later on
Investigate future
challenges from
“ideal”
What is changing in the field of
organic farming?
Discussion Paper 2
How would your customers see your farm
rules?
Are your rules driven by your
customers?
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How can this be adapted to
domestic consumers?
Why do some people find
these rules hard to accept?
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group Organic Landscape Design
Topic 3:
Section Understanding the existing landscape
Vision
This topic initiates your thinking about what your farm is capable of being now and in the future.
This topic was covered in the livestock and plant production modules. If you have already done this you only need to review the topic with respect to landscape design.
Sub-topic
What you need to find out
References/Resources
What you have to do
and
done
reflection
Where to from here?
Background knowledge
How farm rules impact on
farm design
Topic 2a Worksheet - Farm rules
What does each rule mean in terms of landscape design?
Alan Druce’s case study
An American vision
Discuss your thoughts with your teacher. How has your
view of organic farm design changed after your study on
soils?
Topic 3b Worksheet - farm
production - your vision
Write a short description of your vision for your farm’s
landscape.
Different landscapes
What do consumers want?
What is environmentally appropriate?
Some farm rules are yours,
some are your customers,
and some are your
communities. Which are
most important?
Duty of Care
At Home
Vision of what you want
your farm to be.
Your landscape
Environment
What would your farm
rules be if your customers
wrote them?
Discuss these areas with your teacher.
Later on
Test the usefulness of you
vision and farm rules
SWOT analysis
Explain the consequences of bad farm rules on future
production levels.
Topic 3c Worksheet 10 year vision
Look at the SWOT analysis. How does this relate to
landscape design?
The “Food Forest”
Alter your vision with these new parameters.
Use the 10 year vision worksheet to evaluate your farm
system’s ability to meet future community expectations.
Vandana Shiva on late night live
Discussion paper 3
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Not all visions are about
farm production. What
about your social vision?
Gender equality and
organic agriculture
Some people look at
including their
community into their
farm vision. Does this
suit you?
Listen to the Vandana Shiva talk. Discuss with your
teacher the comparison of earth democracy to farm
democracy and how global equity can be transferred to
farm equity. How does Ghandi’s quote “Make me more
womanly” impact on your vision?
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group
Topic 4:
Organic Landscape Design
Section
Understanding the existing landscape
Organic Standards
Developing a farm design that meets the requirements of organic standards
The organic standards are constantly needed for referral to clarify decisions made on organic farms. You need a through understanding and familiarity with the standards and this can only be achieved through
practice.
Sub-topic
Background
knowledge
Organic certification
requirements
What you need to find out
A good farm design can help deal with
risks to your organic system.
How your farm design can help meet
requirements of organic standards
References/Resources
ACO web site
Organic management plan pro
forma from ACO Organic Farm Plan
Worksheet 4a
What you have to do
Investigate what sections of the
organic standards apply to farm
design.
Investigate what sections of the
organic farm plan for certification
apply to farm design.
and
done
reflection
Where to from here?
The organic standards are the groundrules for all organic certification in
Australia. The Organic management
plan we have used here is from
Australian Certified Organic.
It may be useful to you to investigate
other organisations’ requirements.
At Home
The impact of
certification
requirements at home
How the requirements of organic
accreditation impacts on your own farm
design
Farm map
Neighbouring land use map, (from
topic 1)
On farm map identify issues that
need to be addressed to meet organic
standards
If the ecology of the soil is number
one in successful organic farming,
then farm design is number two. Why?
Worksheet 4a on neighbouring land
use
Consider the ramifications of the land
surrounding your farm becoming more
urbanised.
Sector analysis (from topic 1)
Later on
Changes to
surrounding land use
What risks could occur if land use
changes nearby.
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Worksheet 4b
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group Organic Landscape Design
Topic 5:
Section Understanding the existing landscape
Designing in uncertainty
More than ever, the future of external influences acting on your farm is uncertain. This needs to be considered when developing a long term, farm landscape design.
As with a lot of this module group, this topic will require some time for reflection. This could be done really quickly but you should take some time to particularly understand how the different sections of the
background knowledge will impact on your farm operation.
Sub-topic
What you need to find out
References/Resources
What you have to do
and
done
reflection
Where to from here?
Background knowledge
Future changes in
farming
What will farming be capable of in 10
years on?
- Peak oil
- Peak phosphate
- Climate change,
- Environmental stewardship
- Urban creep
- Water
- Carbon trading
- Methane, etc
Environmental stewardship1
Investigate the issues for the future. You will
need to research some and then discuss your
thoughts with your teacher. You may not
agree with all you read!
Environmental stewardship2
Environmental stewardship3
Urban creep
How do natural ecosystems
respond to changes?
Worksheet 5a –Future Gazing
Temperature projection
Rainfall projection
Worksheet 5a Future Gazing
At Home
Your farm in the future
How will future changes impact on
farm landscape design
Talk on designing the NEC farm in
uncertainty
Worksheet 5b - designing your farm in
uncertainty
Read article on dynamic
stability
Worksheet 5b - designing your farm
in uncertainty
Later on
Short term flexibility,
long term stability
What things on your farm can be
designed flexibly and what things
fixed in the long term?
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Greenhouse gas and organic farming
Worksheet 5c- long term short term elements
Worksheet 5c- long term short term
elements
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group Organic Landscape Design
Topic 6:
Section Understanding the existing landscape
Land Shape
Understanding how your land shape will impact on the farm design. Developing a skeleton to base farm landscape planning around.
This topic is more detailed for those who have complex land shapes. A large grazing property will require more time to complete this section compared to a small block with simple land shape.
Sub-topic
What you need to find out
References/Resources
What you have to do
and
done
reflection
Where to from here?
Background knowledge
Topic 3 farm planning
Reading landscape
Read resources to understand the
importance of land-shape to farm
design and hence farm production.
How land-shape impacts on farm design
Reading on farm landscape
Is there any land on the surface of
the earth that is truly flat?
Simple explanation of contour
lines
At Home
Become familiar with farm landscape
Land-shape at home
Farm map
NEC map as example
Worksheet 6a
Worksheet 6a
Later on
Identify important contours
Contours id land-type
Worksheet 6b
Contours are king
Long contours
Worksheet 6b
Consider this quote, “Water has
shaped the lands surface, if we
change the shape of the surface then
water will try and change it back.
This causes erosion.”
What unintentional things can we do
that will change the surface of our
farm landscape?
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group
Topic 7:
Organic Landscape Design
Section
Design Tools
Permaculture design tools
Using tools from permaculture to help to develop a farm landscape design.
If you are not familiar with some of the design tools from permaculture it is worth some time coming to understand them. Use these tools to experiment with farm design possibilities.
Sub-topic
What you need to find out
References/Resources
What you have to do
and
done
reflection
Where to from here?
Background knowledge
What is permaculture
permaculture
What permaculture design tools are
appropriate for your farm design
What is Permaculture
What is Permaculture? An extract from
Crystal Waters College
Extract from the British Permaculture
Organisation
The Permacultivator.
IDEP Foundation web site
Stuart Hill on permaculture
Understand how to use the following in
farm design
 zones
 patterns to detail
 complexity
 multi functions
 maximise edge
Is permaculture the same
across the globe?
At Home
Apply some
permaculture design
tools
Apply these tools to your own farm
design
Farm sketch maps
Apply these design tools in 5 different
sketch maps.
Other permaculture designs in your
area
Your own web links to permaculture
Find links to permaculture designs relevant
to your farm in your area and organise a
visit
Later on
Finding other examples
What has influenced the
growth of permaculture?
Polyculture production
Permaculture at altitude
How does changes to your farms
climate impact on these ideas?
See topic 5
Google “permaculture groups” to explore
the network.
Briefly apply these design tools to possible
future scenarios
Discussion Paper 7
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group
Topic 8:
Organic Landscape Design
Section
Design Tools
Water on your land
Understanding how the water works on your landscape, how it has changed your landscape and how you can use its properties for your development.
This will be a significant topic for many but a small topic for some. It covers some interesting concepts that are novel for some people, but may be common place for others.
Sub-topic
Background
knowledge
What you need to find out
References/Resources
What you have to do
Design tools for designing
water in the farm
landscape
The aims of keyline
Keyline Designs
Yeoman's Concepts1
Yeoman’s Plows - Keyline Systems & Concepts Priority One
Natural Sequence Association
Sustainability & innovation in Australia - Sustainability in
action
Peter Andrews - Natural Sequence Farming
NSW Legislation
Maximising water resources
Cam Wilson’s article and diagrams on landscape
Tony Cootes discussing his farm water design
list legislation
Read keyline ref
There are many legal issues connected
with water management. We have
included a reference to the NSW
legislation. Look at this and use the NSW
legislation link to help find your State’s
legislation if you live in another State.
and
done
reflection
Where to from here?
There are some
informative and
interesting books that
could be read on this
topic. Here are the
details of two.
Water on every farm
and Natural sequence
farming book
At Home
Apply these tools to your
farm landscape
DPI Water Conservation on Rural Properties
Your worksheet from Topic 6b, for further development
Develop sketch map of your farm based
on a keyline approach. Go back to your
worksheet 6b and put in your key line
contours.
Are there opportunities to apply natural
sequence farming techniques to your
farm landscape?
Later on
How does changes to
your farms climate impact
on these ideas?
See topic 5
Briefly apply these design tools to
possible future scenarios.
Water is Life – Sepp Holzer
Discussion Paper 8
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National Environment Centre
There is much to
understand about how
farm dams are built. This
will give you some
knowledge, but you may
be better leaving it to the
experts for larger dams!
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group
Topic 9:
Organic Landscape Design
Section
Design Tools
Planning for habitat development
Planning to improve the native habitat in your landscape
This topic requires you to think about the importance of habitat areas on your farm, what functions they play and how you can design to maximise their value.
Sub-topic
What you need to find out
References/Resources
What you have to do
and
done
reflection
Where to from here?
Background knowledge
Bushland on your farm
Advantages of having bushland on
your farm
Biodiversity in the Paddock
Develop a list of advantages of bushland on
your farm.
Land care online
What do the organic standards say about
habitat areas?
Land for wildlife notes - farm planning
and wildlife
“How to plan wildlife landscapes” from
the Vic Dept Sustainability and
Environment
At Home
What bushland do you have on
your farm
Farm map
Topic 9 from your Organic Soil
Management Guide, “Soils supporting
native ecosystems”
One of the permaculture rules is to design
for multi function of elements of design.
What opportunities are there to develop
areas of multi functioning of native
plantings on your farm
Sketch habitat areas on farm. How does this
match with your soils map?
Often size of habitat area is
one of the most important
characteristics for habitat
quality. Are there areas of
habitat adjacent to your farm
that you could design to link
to?
What are the dangers of multi functioning in
native systems?
Later on
How can I design to improve
habitat
NEC 2001 preliminary design notes
How does changes to your farms
climate impact on these ideas?
See topic 5
Read the NEC’s early, preliminary notes on
design from 2001. Discuss what elements
you consider relevant with your teacher.
What do your customers
think about habitat areas on
your farm?
Why do some farmers think
the land devoted to wildlife
is wasted?
Sketch your habitat improvement ideas
Briefly apply these design tools to possible
future scenarios
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group
Topic 10:
Organic Landscape Design
Section
Design Tools
Planning with energy in mind
Designing farm systems that require less industrial energy inputs and utilise biological energy inputs.
Another of those topics that may take some time for reflection, particularly if you have not considered this before. There is quite a deal of reading here to introduce these new concepts and much to discuss with
your teacher.
Sub-topic
What you need to find out
References/Resources
What you have to do
and
done
reflection
Where to from here?
Background knowledge
Energy in agro
ecosystem
Energy flows in agroecosystems
Talk on NEC five star energy
design at the 2009 Daylesford
BFA Road show
Develop some examples of how farm design
can change energy types in farm operations
Altieri- Agroecology: principles
and strategies
Altieri - Developing Sustainable
Agroecosystems
Agro ecology in Action
At Home
Ideas for home.
Designing your farm for
5 star energy
Designing your landscape for minimum
energy inputs.
Designing your farm to
maximise ecosystem energy
Look at some of the energy flows in your
farm system. Identify some that use “one
star energy” and explore if there are farm
design opportunities to reduce this one star
input.
Natural ecosystems don’t require
one star energy inputs to keep
going, yet we continually have to
put one star inputs into many of
our managed ecosystems such as
farms and some national parks.
Why?
How can we change society
perception of individual and
community energy
consumption?
What about the energy you
consume in your sheds?
After all this, should you
look at the enterprise mix on
your farm and investigate
changes?
“Options for Change” an
extract from the RIRDC
Later on
Risk assessment
How to plan to minimise
risk in implementing
changes to farm system
How does changes to your
farms climate impact on
these ideas?
Version date 12/02/2016
Discussion paper 10
See topic 5
What are the risks to your farm system if
you apply these energy changes? How can
you manage or design to manage these risks
Briefly apply these design tools to possible
future scenarios. How will your design
change when fuel costs $10/litre?
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Module group
Topic 11:
Organic Landscape Design
Section
Putting it all together
Developing the design
Using the appropriate tools to develop an organic farm design
You have a lot of single issue ideas, now the challenge is to put all this together to make a complex design. Focus on designing concepts rather than details. Take your time!
Sub-topic
What you need to find out
References/Resources
What you have to do
and
done
Where to from
here?
reflection
Background knowledge
You are not designing a structure. You are designing a
complex ecological landscape. This is not a simple
straight line process. It is more like creating an oil
painting than designing a dog house. Each bit of the
design will impact on all others in complex ways.
It could go something like this “You do a little bit
somewhere then do a little bit somewhere else and then
possibly, on reflection, come back and rub the first bit
out and change it”
NEC “fog” presentation.
Build a framework of things you can’t changeworksheets, sketch a farm-plan showing the things
you can’t change.
Why is designing a farm
landscape plan different
from designing a structure
or a machine?
Make sure that you list the things you can’t change
rather than things you don’t want to change. In the
future, you may change what you want from your
farm.
There is a danger in over simplifying the farm landscape
design in not allowing the plan to develop in this way.
At Home
Early and sustained emphasis on development of a
conceptual framework before considering
implementation detail
From the framework start to build up ideas from all
the other work, plans and ideas you have
developed. Sketch these on your farm map.
Using the analogy of painting an oil painting. Now is
time to build up detail
Cost of implementation
Keeping in mind the rules you have to adhere to.
 Your Farm rules
 Legislation
 Organic standards
What OH&S issues are relevant to implementing your
design?
Consider the cost of implementation and the time
frame for development and implementation.
Construct your own development time frame and a
costing estimate.
This is not a straight-line or
a step by step process.
Why?
Do you have the relevant
skills to implement your
plan, or do you need
outside expertise?
What equipment and
machinery will you need?
Should you use new or
recycled materials?
Later on
The design will take
time to implement and
time to develop.
What impact does your new organic farm design have on
your business of generating organic produce?
Version date 12/02/2016
The farm landscape design is an active, continually
developing plan. Don’t leave it in the drawer.
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
Information regarding the National Competencies concerning this learning guide
It is current practice for industries to outline their training in training packages. It is there you find the various courses and their components.
Courses are comprised of competencies. These are written to outline what is expected from a student and how a student is assessed. They are in place to provide uniformity and consistency in courses.
There are three competencies in this learning guide. The following table includes extracts from these competencies. This summarises the competency and indicates the range that is covered within the unit. Of particular
importance is the list of knowledge and skills required. It is these that your teacher is looking for from you for your assessments. The course has been designed so that as you undertake the various tasks through the
learning guide you will automatically satisfy the unit requirements. Many tasks satisfy more than one unit and many tasks satisfy parts of units. In the end you will complete the entire list.
RTE5516A Develop a whole farm plan
Evidence Guide
This competency standard covers the process of developing a whole farm plan for a rural enterprise. It
requires the ability to determine directions for the business, audit the natural resources of the property,
monitor legal requirements impacting on the management of the property, and develop management
strategies to address natural resource management issues.
What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in developing a whole farm plan requires evidence that business objectives and plans, and
plans for sustainable land management and production have been integrated and documented. The whole
farm plan must incorporate relevant data such as results from a natural resources audit and build on and
contribute to other plans, such as the business plan, human resources plan and risk management plan.
Developing a whole farm plan requires knowledge of SWOT analysis, sustainable land management
practices, property planning processes and approaches, land capability, conservation management
strategies, legal requirements and risk management.
The skills and knowledge required to develop a whole farm plan must be transferable to a different work
environment. For example, across a range of production types and processes.
Range Statement
The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements
of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements
may depend on the work situations available.
What physical characteristics of the soil might be assessed?
Moisture content, pH levels, nutrient levels, salinity, erosion, germination rates, aggregate stability, colour,
texture, structure, and pest and disease prevalence.
What natural resource issues may need to be included?
Natural resource issues may relate to stock grazing pressure, feral animals, wildlife, weeds, human impact,
cultural practices, contamination, agricultural chemical drift, fire, reintroduction of native animals,
legislation, management advice, and initiation of heritage agreements and other issues.
What infrastructure should be mapped?
Infrastructure may include buildings, sheds, shelters, stock yards, stock handling structures, fences, water
supply systems, roads, tracks, soil conservation works, irrigation and drainage channels, silage pits and/or
grain and fodder storage, and dams.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to
other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency
standard are listed below:
• SWOT analysis
• sustainable land management practices
• property planning processes and approaches
• land capability
• water, vegetation, soil, fire and wildlife management strategies
• legal requirements impacting on whole farm planning
• risk management.
What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?
To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:
• determine directions for the business
• audit the natural resources of the property
• monitor legal requirements impacting on the management of the property
• develop management strategies to address natural resource management issues.
For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment, refer to the
Sector Booklet.
Version date 12/02/2016
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
RTE5526A Develop an organic management plan
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to develop an organic management plan (OMP) to
convert an agricultural or horticultural farm to an organic, biological and ecological system. The plan is
developed to guide the conversion of a farming system to the principles of organic agriculture.
The unit involves designing an organic farming system that will be used as the basis of the plan’s
implementation.
Context and specific resources for assessment
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be
assessed in an organic farming workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real
and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to
develop an OMP.
The candidate must also have access to the following resources:
Range Statement
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 in the performance criteria is detailed
below. Add any 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.
Evidence Guide
Required skills and knowledge
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required skills include:






National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce
regional catchment strategies and targets for one’s catchment area
Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in one’s 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 skills and knowledge required to develop an OMP must be transferable to a range of work
environments and contexts, e.g. developing an OMP for different properties, and include the ability to deal
with unplanned events.
documenting plans
monitoring farming system
observing cycles, patterns, change and systems dynamics
record keeping
Required knowledge includes:




principles of organic agriculture, especially fundamental role of soil health
principles of whole of catchment and river basin management
requirements and components of an OMP
systems approach to agriculture and horticulture
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency
relevant to the job function.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.
Assessment must confirm one’s ability to:




identify and develop required components of an OMP for a property
understand and use interrelationships between soil, plant and animal health and farming system’s
resilience when developing plan
identify options for prevention and treatment of risks
apply appropriate regional catchment targets
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
RTE5524A Develop and implement sustainable land use strategies
This competency standard covers the process of assessing land requirements and improving the land under
production. It includes the requirements to apply a range of sustainable growing practices according to the
industry’s codes of practice and conduct, and consistent with State and Territory legislation. When
achieved, the work in this standard leads to the long-term economic viability of land under production.
Implementing sustainable land use is likely to be under limited supervision from others, with checking only
related to overall progress. It is usually done within routines, methods and procedures where some
discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation of work,
services, actions, and the achievement of outcomes within budgetary constraints.
Range Statement
The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements
of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements
may depend on the work situations available.
What might natural features include?
Natural features include hills, depressions and waterways.
What soil conservation measures and structures might be used, examined and repaired?
The preparation of grassed waterways, construction of contour banks at specific sites, maintenance of
contour banks and waterways, and stabilising and revegetating land by planting grasses/trees where soil
erosion has taken place. There may also be the use of dams, banks and drains, waterways, land clearing,
land rehabilitation, water ponding schemes, water ponding banks, sand owing completed areas on banks.
Carrying out irrigation practices to ensure crop needs are met, by matching irrigation inputs with soil water
holding capacity to minimise excess applications that may result in rising water tables, leaching of nutrients
or excessive run-off.
What practices will maintain organic (matter) levels in the soil structure?
Such practices as green cane harvesting, trash retention, minimum/zero tillage, green manure crops, spray
out fallow fields to leave subterranean roots and organic surface cover, and maintaining vegetation cover as
long as possible. Spray out ratoons or sown crops during the fallow period.
What might cause land to require improvement?
The need for improvement may be caused by rising water tables, wind eroded areas, saline areas, weed
infestations, unstable soils, poorly drained areas, or shelter requirements.
What might affect the selection and use of chemical applications?
The availability of the fertiliser and amendments, their physical and chemical characteristics, and the
suitability of fertiliser and amendments to the type of soil, climate, crop and field topography.
Once soil samples are taken, what might soil be tested for?
It may be tested for pH, salinity, texture, or nutrient status.
What environmental implications may be associated with cleaning and maintenance procedures?
Detrimental environmental impacts may result from excessive noise and exhaust emissions, the incorrect
use and disposal of maintenance debris (oils containers, chemical residues), and hazardous substances
(fuel). Impacts may also include run-off flows of water and cleaning agents from servicing, maintenance
and cleaning activities.
What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systemic and at an operational level. These are listed below.
Systems should be in place to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment.
Precautions should also be in place to minimise exposure to noise, and organic and other dusts.
How might information be documented?
Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into
logbooks or other records.
Fixtures should be in place in all silos and storage sheds, including appropriate access ladders, hand rails
and ladder cages.
Personal protective equipment should be selected, used and maintained.
Environmental conditions should be controlled. For example, keeping moisture levels as low as possible
will reduce the likelihood of fire.
For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment refer to the
Sector Booklet.
Procedures should be in place and used for working on harvesters, working with grain mass movement and
stability, working within confined working spaces, moving vehicles, and working at height.
2.4 Evidence Guide
Recordkeeping should ensure that requirements in relation to properly observing and using product labels
and MSDS sheets, instruction manuals and written organisational procedures.
What equipment might be required for land improvements?
Vehicles might include tractors, trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles.
Equipment might be mounted or trailing and may include ploughs, cultivators, scarifiers, fertiliser
spreaders, spraying equipment, mulchers or rakes.
What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and
sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).
Version date 12/02/2016
What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in implementing sustainable land use requires evidence that land is being managed effectively
for the long term, and that operations performed on it are within the guidelines for sustainable land use.
The skills and knowledge required to implement sustainable land use must be transferable to a different
work environment. For example, in a variety of degradation areas and using a range of soil conservation
techniques.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to
other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency
standard are listed below:
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
A basic working knowledge of:
• tree planting techniques
• sustainable land and water use principles and practices applicable in the region
• environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business and to the improvement works
• the whole farm plan
• relevant legislation and regulations relating to soil and water degradation issues and chemical use,
building construction, and OHS
• relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.
What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?
To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some
complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:
• use communication systems
• handle and manoeuvre equipment
• complete pre- and post-operational checks on tools and equipment
• perform routine safety, service and maintenance procedures on tools and equipment
• read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data
Sheets
• interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report
faults, workplace hazards and accidents.
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Diploma of Organic Farming (RTE 50103) – Organic Landscape Design
What you can already do.
You may feel that you have enough experience in various aspects of this guide. If you do, work through this table, and, discuss it with your teacher, to reduce your workload for a pass in this group of competencies.
This is not intended as a quick fix. The module guide is designed to help you learn about organic certification and the process towards certification. This page is about acknowledging the vast experience that you may
have, to allow you to spend more time learning other, newer facets of certification, rather than redoing what you are already quite proficient at.
You need to present the required documents to your teacher to gain any credits for work. Discuss this with your teacher before you spend too much time collecting the relevant evidence.
Evidence required
Version date 12/02/2016
Available
or X
National Environment Centre
Date
presented
Date
approved
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