This webinar will cover select topics from Technical Note 12 – Conservation Activities in Organic Farming Systems – which provides a wealth of knowledge needed to effectively support the unique requirements of organic producers. Tech Note 12 helps organic producers articulate the conservation benefits of their practices in the language used by NRCS field agents and TSPs. This clarity is crucial for accessing NRCS programs. Part one of this webinar will cover the areas of soil health, climate, and nutrient management as they relate to organic management.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Forest Ecology Working Group and the National Conservation Training Center are joining the USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub and NIACS to sponsor this 12 part monthly webinar series. Managing Forests as Habitat in a Changing World will feature interactive panel discussions that explore shifting impacts on forest habitats and adaptation options for natural resources management.

Hands on training completing certification of prescribed grazing systems. The main training outcome of this cohort is to train staff that need to review grazing records and grazing systems in the office and in the field for the sole purpose of certifying CPS 528 Prescribed Grazing. Please consult your supervisor on what level of training is appropriate for you.

There are no firm start and end dates for this cohort, but registration will be open March 31 to May 16, 2025. OJT opportunities are ongoing as time allows throughout the year.
 

Tech Talks is a online training series organized by the Technical Training and Certification Program. Rotating speakers cover a wide variety of technical topics at 1:00 on Mondays. The list of Tech Talks and links to replays for 2024 can be found below.

Strategic Harvested Forage Management is a new interim conservation practice and consists of developing a planned winter feeding strategy that involves controlling livestock access and systematically moving feeding areas across a pasture or field. Planned winter feeding strategies are employed by producers to improve productivity, soil health, and reduce impact on sensitive features compared to traditional unplanned winter feeding strategies.

Watch and learn about Soil Health through discussions, simulations and demonstrations with Ray Archuleta, a Certified Professional Soil Scientist with the Soil Science Society of America. Explore topics such as biomimicry, and ecosystem processes, reducing inputs, soil health principles and improving ROI. This video series was filmed during a field tour in July, 2024.

This recorded webinar covers the biology of the monarch, its conservation status, and management techniques to improve breeding habitat for the butterfly.

A PowerPoint presentation developed by NRCS with these objectives: 

• Learn the basic components of a virtual fence (VF) system
• Explore Specifications from various company’s systems
• Discuss animal training requirements
• Gain a better understanding of what producers should consider when evaluating VF as a management alternative
• Review new practice scenarios for FY 25

The Minnesota Agroforestry Institute is a two and a half day workshop that includes classroom sessions and on farm visits. Participants learn how to integrate agroforestry concepts into a practical farm plan.

This training covers design and implementation of the five agroforestry practices:

• Alley Cropping
• Forest Farming
• Riparian Forest Buffer
• Silvopasture
• Windbreaks