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Nutrient and Pest Management Considerations in Conservation PlanningCourse OverviewNutrient and pest management is becoming increasingly important in Conservation Planning. To adequately address nutrient and pest management considerations, planners must become more familiar with the basic scientific processes important to nutrient and pest management, as well as important ecological interactions and site conditions as they relate to offsite environmental concerns. The mission of NRCS calls for integration of nutrient and pest management into Resource Management System (RMS) Planning. Planners need an awareness of the cause and effect relationships of nutrient and pest management to better support partnerships with State agencies, Extension, Certified Crop Advisors, private industry, and the farmer. With this increased awareness, planners will be more able to incorporate important environmental considerations into nutrient and pest management planning, especially in environmentally sensitive areas. Planners need to know how to implement nutrient and pest management practices in an overall RMS plan. This training course introduces NRCS' mission in the
nutrient and pest management arena and how it relates to the RMS planning
process. It also identifies regulatory requirements and partnership roles
that help to define that mission. It provides the participant with a basic
understanding of the science of nutrient and pest management, as well as
environmental concerns associated with the use of nutrients and pest
management measures, including environmental risk, and the processes that
affect the fate and transport of nutrients and pesticides in the
environment. Also covered are climate and water management planning
considerations and their practical aspects as they relate to nutrient and
pest management. The course contains a video that illustrates the
challenges of pest and nutrient management. After successful completion of
the self-paced Modules 1 - 6, participants will use exercises and
assessment tools in a facilitated session to reinforce and apply important
concepts. The participant will prepare a nutrient and/or pest management
component of a RMS plan to complete the training.
ObjectivesUpon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
Target AudienceThis course is designed for NRCS staff, certified crop advisors, crop consultants, and industry representatives that are, or will be, developing nutrient and pest management components of the over-all conservation plan. PrerequisitesCompletion of Introduction to Water Quality is required unless specifically waived. Duration40 - 80 hours for each track depending on the participant's knowledge and experience. Method of DeliveryThis training involves self study, facilitated sessions and actual development of the nutrient and pest management components of an RMS plan. Program Tracks and PartsThis training program is divided into two tracks: Track
1 – Nutrient Management Each track is offered as an individual component of the overall course. Each track consists of three parts: Part I - Self study After successful completion of Part 1, the self-paced Modules 1 - 6, participants will proceed to part 2 and use exercises and assessment tools in a facilitated session to reinforce and apply important concepts. Once Parts 1 and 2 are successfully completed the participant proceeds to Part 3 and will prepare a nutrient and/or pest management component of an RMS plan to complete the training. Delivery of the PartsPart I of both tracks consists of reading materials which is available on Aglearn. The reading materials contain both nutrient and pest management subject matter. The materials were developed in this manner because of the scientific overlap and issues common to both tracks. Participants are directed to specific portions of the workbook to complete their study in either nutrient or pest management. Students will have one year from the registration day to complete the course. Once you register the self study course in Aglearn, you can access the reading materials and exams online and print certificate of completion. Parts II and III of both tracks are delivered in each state by designated state facilitators. Part II consists of a facilitated session that uses exercises and assessment tools to reinforce and apply important concepts. Part III requires the participant to develop the respective management component of a Conservation Plan that is reviewed and approved by the designated Primary State Facilitator in the state. The designated Primary State Facilitator must coordinate completion of Parts II and III with the State Training Officer and the National Employee Development Center (NEDC). This coordination includes:
NEDC will issue a Certificates of Completion for both tracks when all three parts of the specific track are reported as completed. Course NumbersThe following course numbers are assigned in AgLearn:
The State Training Officer must set up state course numbers in AgLearn to report completion of Part II (facilitated session) and Part III (component plan) for NRCS employees. PosttestsPosttests are associated with these courses.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)CEUs will be offered in the Soil and Water, Pest Management and/or Nutrient Management competency areas for successfully completing each of the three phases of the course (Workbook, Facilitated Discussion, Plan Development). NEDC ContactTechnical CoordinatorJim Wood EnrollmentEnrollment instructions are provided below. Be sure to select the appropriate link to ensure successful enrollment. USDA Employees
District Employees with Aglearn account
Technical Service Providers
Other USDA Customers
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