Calling all new employees!

The Technical Training and Certification Program (TTCP) is offering an Onboarding Tech Talk. Join us for a webinar on January 23, at 1PM to learn more about the technical training resources available to you through TTCP. This training will provide all newer employees with an orientation to the Technical Training and Certification Program. Participants will have an opportunity to develop their own personalized learning plan and ask questions about training. Those who plan to attend should bring your job description to the training and ask around to find out the five most commonly used conservation practices in your work area.

2023 Training Calendar

The initial working version of the 2023 training calendar is now available. This 12 month view of training offerings is regularly updated and provides information about upcoming training events, including potential dates and locations. Please see the legend at the top and note that the further out a training is proposed the more likely adjustments will need to be made. The dates, locations, and other details are always tentative until the event is posted on the Training Calendar.

JAA For Soil Health Training

Mark your calendars for “JAA for Soil Health Training” which will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 in Windom, MN.

As technical staff, our understanding of how tillage equipment impacts soil properties and ultimately soil erosion is a critical part of the conservation planning process. This hands-on training includes an on-farm equipment tour. We will also cover planning considerations for several of the core soil health practices, including Conservation Crop Rotation (CPS 328), No-Till (CPS 329), and Reduced Till (CPS 345) as well as the requirements needed to achieve JAA. Students will utilize current erosion prediction tools to learn how best to evaluate options and alternatives in order to provide recommendations to our customers. The main goal of this training is to provide you with the information, resources, and tools necessary to pursue JAA for CPS 328, 329, and 345.

Participants will be able to:

• Observe farm equipment in person.
• Become familiar with the practice standards for Conservation Crop Rotation, No Till, and Reduced Till and the requirements/documentation necessary to meet JAA for these practices.
• Understand what WEPS is and how to use it to estimate wind erosion impacts.
• Utilize RUSLE to compare outcomes with various tillage implements and understand their impacts on SCI and STIR ratings. Work through in-class scenarios to determine recommendations, options, and alternatives for clients that can help improve their current management system impacts on erosion.

Additional information and a link to register can be found here.

Save the Date: Basic Cover Crop Training

Cover crops are a conservation practice that is important to cropland systems. They slow erosion, smother weeds, enhance nutrient and moisture availability, increase infiltration, improve other beneficial soil functions, and provide a host of other benefits to a field and farm. At the same time, there is a steep learning curve to successfully integrating cover crops into a farming operation and realizing these benefits. The goal of this training is to provide a strong foundation for understanding how cover crops can be incorporated into Midwestern cropping systems. Training topics include cover crop benefits and selection, resource concerns, termination, use of cover crop seeding tools, cover crop ID and more.

This training includes a series of virtual webinars on March 6, 10, 13 and 14. The second phase of training includes a one day in person session held in each area of the state during the last two weeks of March. Attendees must be present at all virtual sessions and one in-person day to receive full credit for attending this course. Additional details for times, locations, and the registration will be available in the next few weeks.

Target audience for this training includes NRCS, SWCD and other conservation partner employees that have been on the job for less than 5 years or for those who need a refresher training.

Soils form the fabric of conservation planning and understanding the soil survey is foundational to evaluating resource concerns. This two-day course will provide an overview of the soil survey program, methods, soil maps, Web Soil Survey, interpretive information, and other soil resources that support technical staff with the conservation planning process. Soil genesis, properties, and soil-landscape relationships will all be outlined. Participants will have hands-on opportunities in the field with guides, tools, and survey methods to gain confidence and a better understanding of how soils are evaluated and applied to conservation planning.

This course will be offered in two locations statewide in spring 2023:

• April 24-25 in Faribault, MN
• April 27-28 in Fergus Falls, MN

Registration and additional information will be available in the next few weeks.

Upcoming Events

2023 Women in Ag Network Conference on February 7

“Building Resilience on your Farm and in your Family,” the 2023 Women in Ag Network Conference will be Tuesday, February 7 at the Willmar Conference Center (240 23^rd Street SE, Willmar). This event will be a day of learning and networking for women involved in agriculture. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the conference program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required for the conference and can be found here. The early bird rate is $75 through January 16, 2023. After that date, registration increases to $100. Additional information can be found here. Contact Betsy Wieland (eliza003@umn.edu or 612-624-7119) with questions.

Save the Date - Nitrogen: Minnesota's Grand Challenge and Compelling Opportunity Conference

The 9th annual Nitrogen Conference will be Tuesday, February 7, 2023 in Mankato. University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center (MAWRC)’s Nitrogen: Minnesota's Grand Challenge and Compelling Opportunity Conference brings experts together to focus entirely on this valuable input. Current topics in crop production and environmental stewardship will be relevant and informative for today's agricultural producers and professionals and anyone else who appreciates high-quality, research-based information. Certified crop advisers (CCA) can earn continuing education credits (CEUs) in soil and water and nutrient management by attending the conference.

Save the Date - Nutrient Management Conference

The 15th annual Nutrient Management Conference will take place on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 in St. Cloud. University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center (MAWRC)’s Nutrient Management Conference brings experts together to focus on nutrient management. Current topics in crop production and environmental stewardship will be relevant and informative for today's agricultural producers and professionals and anyone else who appreciates high-quality, research-based information. Certified crop advisers (CCA) can earn continuing education credits (CEUs) in soil and water and nutrient management by attending the conference.

Nitrogen Smart – In person courses are being offered statewide. Nitrogen Smart is an UMN Extension educational program for producers that presents fundamentals for maximizing economic return on nitrogen investments while minimizing nitrogen losses. The program is comprised of the following courses:

• Nitrogen Smart: Fundamentals
• Advanced Nitrogen Smart
  • Manure Management
  • A Deep Dive into the 4Rs
  • Adapting Nitrogen Management to Climate
  • Preventing Nitrogen Loss to Water

Several locations are also hosting the Nitrogen College which offers all four Advanced Nitrogen Smart trainings in a single, two-day event. The Nitrogen Smart course is also available online. Visit the Nitrogen Smart page for a list of locations offering these courses, as well as additional information and registration links.