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
Corn yield in Wisconsin and the US (Corn, part 1/3) Video

(Time:13:41) Dr. Joe Lauer's presentation about "Corn Growth, Development, and Physiology". This part (1 of 3) focuses on an overview of corn…

Minnesota Cropping Systems and their Environmental Impacts Video

This video provides basic information on the relationship between animals, crops and the environment. 

Introduction to Agriculture – the Minnesota Poultry Industry Video

Time: 14:37;  This video provides basic information on the poultry industry in Minnesota including types of systems, industry structure,…

Introduction to Agriculture – the Minnesota Dairy Industry Video

(Time: 14:19) This video provides basic information on the dairy industry in Minnesota including breeds, terminology, production systems,…

Introduction to Agriculture – the Minnesota Swine Industry Video

(Time: 14:37) This video provides basic information on the swine industry in Minnesota including terminology, production segments, industry…

Fields to Streams: Managing Water in a Rural Landscape – Part Two Reference Material

This document is designed to assist rural landowners, land managers, and conservation professionals in protecting rural streams. The emphasis is…

Fields to Streams: Managing Water in a Rural Landscape - Part One Reference Material

This document is designed to assist rural landowners, land managers, and conservation professionals in protecting rural streams. The emphasis is…

Using Soil Data from the USDA Geospatial Data Gateway in ArcGIS Video

(Time: 14:55) This video will explain how to download soil survey spatial and tabular data from the Geospatial Data Gateway and how to use…

Soil Data Viewer 6.2 User Guide Reference Material

A 57 page pdf with complete instructions on how to use Soil Data Viewer, standalone or as an add-in to ArcMap

USDA NRCS National Soil Survey Center Webinar

This is the display of all the online videos produced by the National Soil Survey Center. There are over 100 videos available, most of which will…

Web Soil Survey – Part 3: Tabs and Downloads Video

Time: 13:30; Part 3 of a 3 part series on Web Soil Survey. This video covers the various tabs of soil information, report settings, shopping cart…

Web Soil Survey – Part 2: Set Area of Interest (AOI) Video

(Time: 12:11) Part 2 of a 3 part series on Web Soil Survey. This video covers ways to set an Area of Interest (AOI), limits for the AOI, and…

Web Soil survey - Part 1: Application Access Video

(Time: 11:48) Part 1 of a 3 part series on Web Soil Survey. This video covers information on the Web Soil Survey home page, ways to access the…

Living Soil Film Video

(Time 1:00:22) Our soils support 95 percent of all food production, and by 2060, our soils will be asked to give us as much food as we have…

Use of NRCS Conservation Practice Standards and Specifications Webinar

(Time: 1:14) Participants will learn to use NRCS conservation practice standards to support the NRCS conservation planning process.

Introduction to Field Office Technical Guide Online Course

5 Online training modules that take approximately 1 hour to complete. The modules are prerequisites for Conservation Planning, Part 1 and also…

Conservation Planning Course Webinar #2:  Additional Considerations in the Planning Process Webinar

This webinar covers Phase II, Steps 8 and 9 of the Conservation Planning Process, Cultural Social and Economic Considerations, Resource Concerns…

Environmental Evaluation Series No. 2:  Documenting the Environmental Evaluation on the NRCS CPA-52 Environmental Evaluation Worksheet Webinar

Second in the series on environmental evaluations, this webinar will assist NRCS conservation planners, partners, and technical service providers…

Environmental Evaluation Series No. 1:  Primer on NRCS Environmental Compliance Webinar

First in the series on environmental evaluations, the primary topics of this webinar include: legal foundations, scoping of relevant resource…

Enhancing Mast (food) Production for Woodland Wildlife Webinar

Fruit from trees and shrubs (aka mast) is a significant source of food for many wildlife species. This webinar will explore a variety of mast…

Application of Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection Webinar

Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) are techniques and practices used to minimize and prevent water quality problems associated with. (Time…

Crop Tree Management for Forest Stand Improvement Webinar

This webinar provides insight into how meeting the sunlight needs of individual crop trees can facilitate Forest Stand Improvement efforts. (Time…

Conservation Tree/Shrub Groups: A Tool for Matching Woody Plants to Soils Webinar

This webinar provides guidance on how to develop and use Conservation Tree/Shrub Groups (CTSG) to match woody plants to soils. (Time: 00:39)…

Introduction to Agroforestry Systems Webinar

Participants will learn about the five recognized agroforestry practices: Windbreaks, Alleycropping, Silvopasture, Forest Farming and Riparian. (…

Hydrologic Soils Group (HSG) Knowledge Matrix Video

A training module explaining how to enter information into the HSG matrix to generate a hydrologic soil group classification for use in storm…

Altered Hydrology Video

The basics of drainage and why it is done, installing drainage, the wetland hydrology technical criterion, the terms “effectively drained” and “…

Wetland Hydrology Monitoring Part 2 Video

(Time: 18:11)  This is the second of two training modules on the topic of wetland hydrology monitoring – offered as an…

Wetland Hydrology Monitoring Part 1 Video

(Time: 30:42)  This is the first of two training modules on the topic of wetland hydrology monitoring – offered as an…

Introduction to Animal Agriculture - the Minnesota Beef Industry Video

(Time:16:57) This video provides basic information on the beef industry in Minnesota including terminology, production systems, economics and…

WASCOB Tile Design Video

The training shows the tile design components of the WASCOB Design spreadsheet. This video finishes the basin system design started in the WASCOB…

WASCOB Design Intro Video

(Time 19:55) The training introduces employees to NRCS's WASCOB Design spreadsheet. This is an introductory level training with a format of some…

Basic WASCOB Section IV Video

(Time: 10:02) Video pulls in some linked "handouts" (see links below) to prepare staff for discussions with landowners during the initial parts of…

Basic WASCOB Section III Video

(Time: 14:06) Focuses on the underground outlet supporting practice and ties the outlet design into the basin design. Stage storage is explained…

Basic WASCOB Section II Video

(Time: 12:02) Explains the three types of cross sections and how they each fit into the landscape and different farming operations.

Basic WASCOB Section I Video

The Basic WASCOB training series is a four-part video based on the original Basic WASCOB webinar presented in April from the Technical Training…

How to stabilize your shore with live fascines Video
How to install a soil wrap slope break Video
How to stabilize your shore with erosion control fabric Video
How to restore your shore with native plants Video
How to restore your shore with coir logs Video

How to install a soil wrap to function as a slope break for erosion control is the focus of this video for contractors and landowners in Central…

Quick Reference link - Surveying Reference Material

Time: will vary;   This link takes you to the MN NRCS engineering page, under Resources and CAD.  This page contains 7 quick…

Quick Reference Links- CAD Reference Material

This link takes you to the MN NRCS engineering page, under Resources and CAD.  This page contains over 100 quick reference guides (pdf)…

Introduction to Unified Soil Classification System Video

This video is a recorded PowerPoint by MN NRCS Geologist Tim Weisbrod. It is a pre-requisite to taking the in-person SM-1 classroom training.…

ESRI Virtual Campus Online Course

In 2016, ESRI revamped their online learning program. Rather than employees requesting access codes, they are now able to directly order courses…

Conservation Applications of LiDAR Training Program Online Course

GIS LiDAR workshops

LiDAR based tools for design of Water & Sediment Control Basins in ARCGIS Video

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

Engineering Field Tools (EFT): Overview and Basic Tasks Video

Time: 59:00; At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will know the general capabilities of the Engineering Field Tools software, with…

Using the EFT Waterway Sizing Wizard Video

This video is a re-recording of an Engineering Field Tool's (EFT) Waterway Wizard webinar originally presented March 2017 by NRCS Area 6 Engineer…

Perimeter/Sediment Control Video

MECA video providing information on products and installation tips for keeping sediment from leaving a construction site.

Concrete Washout and Dewatering Video

This video from MECA provides tips and instructions for proper handling and disposal of excess concrete.