Introduction to Water Quality (NRCS-NEDC-000033)

Course Overview

This training program creates an awareness of NRCS Water Quality policy, and teaches principles and how to apply them in daily NRCS activities at the field, farm, and watershed scales. The course utilizes video and student workbook for the self-study delivery.

American Society of Agronomy Certfied Crop Advisor Program This course is certified by American Society of Agronomy Certified Crop Advisor Program.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites. This is an introductory course.

Who may register for the training?

All federal, state, and district employees, tribal representatives, and those involved in non-point pollution abatement/mitigation or control activities to achieve water quality.

Continuing Education Credit

Twelve Continuing Educational Units (12 CEUs) may be obtained from the American Society of Agronomy for the Certified Crop Advisor Program for successful completion of the Introduction to Water Quality training program sponsored by the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). There are 10 CEUs assigned to the Soil and Water category and 2 CEUs assigned to the Nutrient Management category under the Certified Crop Advisor Program of the American Society of Agronomy."

Training Period

Students will have one year from the registration day to complete the course.  The instructional materials are available online, once you register the self study course in Aglearn, you can access the instructional materials and exam online and print certificate of completion. The training program requires approximately 20 hours of concentrated study to complete.

Module Descriptions

Module 1 - Summarizes how NRCS addresses non-point source pollution of water.

Module 2 - Explains how U.S. water quality policy has evolved with time.

Module 3 - Emphasizes the importance of and explains how to facilitate interactions among groups and individuals to build partnerships and promote the ownership required to address water quality issues.

Module 4 - Explains how to apply the NRCS Three Phase 9-Step Planning Process to water quality activities at the field, farm and watershed levels.

Module 5 - Describes the main natural resources, interactions and cycles that affect water quality in the environment.

Module 6 - Identifies the constituents, categories, and characteristics used in evaluating and managing streams, lakes, and groundwater, and estuaries.

Module 7 - Discusses the role of water quality standards in a state's water quality management program and the states' and federal responsibilities in the water quality standards and criteria process.

Module 8 - Explains the pollutant delivery process and describes the relationship of nutrient budgets and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) to non-point source pollutant loading.

Module 9 - Explains how to apply the concept of critical areas and priority sites to water quality activities at the field, farm, and watershed levels.

Module 10 - Describes how to evaluate and select the appropriate tools for water quality projects.

Module 11 - Explains how implementation activities at various scales (e.g. field, farm, watershed) build agriculture's accountability to meet water quality goals.

Module 12 - Discusses the importance of evaluation, feedback and technology transfer in a water quality project.

NEDC Contact

Andrelino A. Alix

Enrollment

Enrollment instructions are provided below.  Be sure to select the appropriate link to ensure successful enrollment. 

USDA Employees

Proceed to the Aglearn to login using your USDA eAuthentication ID and password.  This is the same as your WebTCAS ID and password.
Select Catalog, Select Natural Resources Conservation Service under Subject Area Menu, Choose the course name by select the button Launch content or Add to Learning Plan to register and complete the course.

District Employees with Aglearn account

Proceed to the Aglearn to login using your USDA eAuthentication ID and password. This is the same logon ID and password used for the TechReg TSP application or profile.
Select Catalog, Select Natural Resources Conservation Service under Subject Area Menu, Choose the course name by select the button Launch content or Add to Learning Plan to register and complete the course.

If you do not have an account.  Specific instructions on securing a USDA user account and password are located at getting started.  For further assistance contact the USDA state office in your state for assistance in obtaining an eAuthentication ID and password and AgLearn account.

Technical Service Providers

Proceed to the Aglearn to login using your USDA eAuthentication ID and password. This is the same logon ID and password used for the TechReg TSP application or profile.
Select Catalog, Select Natural Resources Conservation Service under Subject Area Menu, Choose the course name by select the button Launch content or Add to Learning Plan to register and complete the course.

If you are anticipating becoming a Technical Service Provider please review the entire process at TechReg.  Please familiarize yourself with this process if you have not already done so.  Specific instructions on securing a USDA user account and password are located at getting started.

Other USDA Customers

For those not in the above categories contact the USDA state office in your state for assistance in obtaining an eAuthentication ID and password and AgLearn account.
To obtain this contact information for your state you can go to the Aglearn website click on contact us. Scroll down to NRCS and click on the link that says state contacts.