Not all training takes place in a classroom. We’ve put together a searchable library of recorded modules, webinars, videos and other resources to help our staff and partners find professional development information on a variety of topics.

Training Calendar
This table displays training opportunities and details.
Training calendar
Title Subject Format Description Training Source
WEPP - Overview of Session 1 Video

(Time: 16:37)

IET2 Demonstration Video

(Time:  31:13)

WEPP Demonstration and Use Video

(Time: 54:35)

WEPP Science Introduction and PowerPoint presentation Video

(Time: 23:28)  Water Erosion Prediction Project

Introduction to Plant Identification Webinar

(Time: 1:07:49)   Plants are of central importance to natural resource conservation. Thus, the ability to identify species or species…

Solar-powered Water Systems for Grazing Operations Webinar

(Time: 1:14) Participants in this webinar will learn important considerations in planning for a solar-powered water delivery system for…

Grazing Systems Planning Guide Reference Material

(Time: will vary)  This guide discusses the components of a grazing system by taking you through the grazing management planning process…

Improving Pastures Video

(Time: 55:38) In this session, U of M Extension Educator Troy Salzer covers the importance of soil testing, fertilizing, liming, and…

A Practical Field Guide for Designing Conservation Buffers Webinar

(Time: 00:52)  In this webinar, participants will learn how to use evidence-based guidelines for designing vegetative buffers as presented in…

Establishment of Wildflower Habitat for Pollinators, Beneficial Insects, and Wildlife Webinar

(Time: 2:00) This webinar provides instruction regarding the creation or restoration of quality pollinator habitat.

Restoring Native Plant Communities: Soil and Hydrology Suited Planning Tools Webinar

(Time: 1:07)  This webinar explains how native plant community restoration can be guided by existing natural inventories. 

Conserving Pollinators While Addressing Other Resource Concerns Webinar

(Time: 01:30)  This webinar discusses planning and implementing conservation measures to address multiple resource concerns, including…

Building Better Native Seed Mixes Webinar

(Time: 59:45) Webinar 7 of 7 from U of M's Ecological Restoration Training Center;  Learn how to make the State of Minnesota’s new…

Ten Things to Know About Planting Wet Areas Webinar

(Time: 59:27)  Webinar 6 of 7 from U of M Ecological Restoration Training Center  Wet areas such as wetlands, shorelines, and stormwater…

Selecting Seed Sources to “Future-Proof” Restored Plant Communities Webinar

(Time: 1:03:32)  Webinar 5 of 7 from U of M's Ecological Restoration Training Center    Selecting seed sources for…

Biocontrol for Ecological Restoration in Minnesota: Looking Back and Looking Forward Webinar

(Time: 57:56) Webinar 3 of 7 from U of M's Ecological Restoration Training Center; Biocontrol has proven to be an effective tool for the…

Planning to Avoid Pitfalls: The Key to Restoration Success Webinar

(Time: 41:25)  Webinar 2 of 7 from U of M's Ecological Restoration Training Center; No manager wants to lose a restoration project to…

Learning by Doing: Why Restoration Records Matter Webinar

(Time: 58:00) Webinar 1 of 7 from U of M's Ecological Restoration Training Center; Maintaining project records is essential for keeping long-…

Ecological Restoration Training Online Course

The Ecological Restoration certificate is a 150 hour program of five required courses, offered twice per year.

The program provides early…

Pollinators, Monarchs and Beneficial Insects Reference Material

This website has multiple references for conservation planning for pollinators, monarch and beneficial insects.

Pollinators Video

(Time: 57:21) In this session, Elaine Evans will discuss pollinators.   Pollinators are a crucial part of our food production…

Hydrology and Terrain Analysis Tools for Using LiDAR Data Webinar
LiDAR Based Tools & Applications for Estimation and Design Video

(Time:12:29)  Peter Mead (Cartographic Technician) and Wes Drake (Agricultural Engineer) from the Minnesota NRCS provide an overview and…

GPS 101: Introduction to GPS Video

(Time: 24:30)  This is an introductory presentation on the U.S. Global Positioning System.  It is not training on specific…

Watershed Tools Demo Video

This video is a demonstration of each step of a watershed delineation and RCN determination for a project site.  The demonstration shows the…

Installing Engineering Tools Video

(Time: 3:32) This video is a quick demonstration of where to find, download, and how to install
the NRCS-Engineering Tools toolbox into…

VegScape Reference Material

Layer developed by USDA NASS in cooperation with NASA.  Map showing crop condition monitoring system. Integrates soil moisture, temperature,…

CropScape Reference Material

Layer developed by USDA NASS in cooperation with NASA.  Map showing crop history of areas going back to 1997.  Also evaluation of how…

Census of Agriculture Reference Material

County specific data (examples include acres and sales by crop type, number and sales by livestock type and types of operators and operations) can…

Introduction to Beef Cattle Production in the United States Online Course

Nine modules:  Module 1:  Beef Cattle Genetic Management; Time: 20 - 25 minutes; Module 2: Beef Cattle Nutrition and Feeding; Time: 30…

Body Condition Scoring Beef Cows Reference Material

This document provides guidance on how to determine a body condition score (BCS) for beef cows.  Body condition scores are excellent…

Breeds of Livestock Reference Material

This site provides a comprehensive inventory of the various domestic breeds of livestock including cattle, goats, horses, sheep, swine, poultry…

University of Minnesota Extension: Beef Extension Reference Material

This site provides access to publications and other resources related to beef production in Minnesota including cow/calf management, feedlot…

CORE 4 Pest Management Technical References and Training Materials Reference Material

Basic overview of pest management principles.  Materials concentrate on assessing environmental risks of pest management alternatives.

Economics and Environmental Issues Webinar

(Time: 00:24:31) Information is presented on nitrogen management considerations for high profitability and low environmental risks,…

Soil Sampling Webinar

(Time: 00:26:25) Information is presented on soil sampling strategies and sample handling/testing procedures.

Soil pH and Lime Webinar

(Time: 00:24:38) Information is presented on negative effects of acidic soils; testing for soil pH; managing soil pH for alkaline soils; and…

Micronutrients Webinar

(Time: 00:23:38) Information is presented on specific micronutrients including boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc and chloride…

Calcium and Magnesium Management  Webinar

(Time: 00:10:20) Information is presented on calcium and magnesium as essential nutrients; calcium and magnesium soil testing; and, calcium…

Sulfur Webinar

(Time: 00:14:36) Information is presented on basic sulfur processes in the soil-plant system; testing for sulfur sufficiency; basis for…

Potassium Webinar

(Time: 00:13:43) Information is presented on potassium processes in the soil-plant system; potassium soil testing; potassium fertilizer…

Phosphorus Webinar

(Time: 00:20:05) Information is presented on basic phosphorus processes in the soil-plant system; phosphorus soil testing; phosphorus…

Nitrogen Webinar

(Time: 00:22:59) Information is presented on basic nitrogen processes in the soil-plant system; rate determination and economic response;…

Overview of Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition, and Nutrition Management Webinar

(Time: 00:17:31) Information is presented on the seventeen chemical elements essential for plant growth, how plants need various amounts of…

Nutrient Management in No-Till Cropping Systems Video

(Time: 1:30:56)  This video compares conventional and no-till cropping systems in regards to nutrient management, nutrient cycling,…

R Stages, Soybean Management in Wisconsin (soybeans 3/3) Video

(Time: 17:42)  This video focuses on the reproductive stages of growth and development of soybeans.

Vegetative Growth Stages of Soybeans (soybeans 2/3) Video

(Time: 16:39) This video focuses on the early season growth and development of soybeans

Soybean crop management in Wisconsin (soybeans, part 1/3) Video

(Time: 12:35) This video discusses components contributing to yield in soybeans including varietal selection, regional climate and…

Yield components of corn (corn, part 3/3) Video

(Time 24:02)  Dr. Joe Lauer's presentation about "Corn Growth, Development, and Physiology". This part (3 of 3) focuses on the components…

Corn growth and development staging systems (Corn, part 2/3) Video

(Time 41:01) Dr. Joe Lauer's presentation about "Corn Growth, Development, and Physiology". This part (2 of 3) focuses on systems used to…