Next Successful Outreach Strategies (SOS) Workshops
Hold the below dates for the next series of in-person SOS workshops. Workshop content will focus on designing effective meetings for gathering information and input from attendees. More information will be available by early March. All sessions are from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- April 1, St. Cloud
- April 2, Bemidji
- April 3, Duluth
- April 7, Mankato
Prescribed Grazing Plan Development Cohort
The Prescribed Grazing Plan Development Cohort is open for registration until March 28. This cohort will provide hands-on training completing real-world planning and designing prescribed grazing systems. The main outcome of this cohort will be to develop at least one prescribed grazing plan with a producer from start to finish. Cohort sessions will involve meeting with the producer for initial on-site inventories, planning practices necessary to facilitate prescribed grazing, developing the grazing plan/plan maps, meeting with the producer to review the plan, and making any necessary revisions based on feedback from the producer. Technical staff that need to learn how to develop prescribed grazing plans with producers should take this training. Please consult with your supervisor on whether this training is appropriate for you.
Find more information and a registration link on the Prescribed Grazing Plan Development Cohort page.
Agronomy Technical Note #31 Training
Minnesota’s Herbaceous Vegetation Establishment Guide, also known as Agronomy Technical Note #31 (ATN 31), is used as a guide for the establishment of native and introduced plantings of herbaceous vegetation for the following practices:
- Conservation Cover (327)
- Contour Buffer Strips (332)
- Critical Area Planting (342)
- Riparian Herbaceous Cover (390)
- Filter Strip (393)
- Wildlife Habitat Planting (420)
- Pasture or Hayland Planting (512)
- Cross Wind Trap Strips (589C)
- Restoration of Rare or Declining Natural Communities (643)
- Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (645)
- Wetland Restoration (657)
Five in-person sessions will be held throughout the state during the first two weeks of March:
- March 4, Detroit Lakes
- March 7, Duluth
- March 11, New Ulm
- March 12, Farmington
- March 13, Waite Park
If you are interested in attending, please note the prerequisites:
Completing these prerequisites is critical to be able to meaningfully participate in the exercises during the workshop. If you are not able to complete the prerequisites before the workshop, please wait to register for the next time this workshop is offered. Additional information and a link to register can be found on the Agronomy Technical Note 31 page.
Grazing Office Hours
Do you have questions regarding grazing management and other conservation practices that facilitate grazing management? Now is your chance to ask your questions! On March 13 at 10 a.m. Jeff Duchene, NRCS State Grazing Specialist, along with other grazing specialists in Minnesota, will lead a virtual office hour to answer any questions you have about grazing management techniques, planning grazing management, planning and technical specifications of conservation practices used to facilitate grazing management or any other questions you may have related to grazing. If you have topics of interest that you want to be discussed further, please complete this survey to submit your questions by Feb. 28. The first half hour of the session will be spent providing answers to questions that were received, while the last half hour of the session will be spent answering live questions from participants. Additional information and a link to join can be found on the Grazing Systems Virtual Office Hours page.
Native Seed Mix Design and Evaluation Training
Most large-scale native habitat plantings are created with seed mixes. Plant diversity is a requirement for pollinators and other wildlife and is the foundation of ecological resilience, but it can be a complicated and consequential challenge to select the best mix for any given site. Building high-quality native seed mixes that serve multiple species, replicate natural plant associations, establish readily, conform to certain conservation practice standards, and fit within budget constraints requires training and experience. It takes a lot of familiarity with native flora, experience with specialized design tools like seed calculators, and awareness of the commercial availability of various species in your region. Workshops focusing on seed mix evaluation, using the seed calculator, and other exercises will be held:
- April 21, New Ulm
- April 23, Farmington
- April 25, Detroit Lakes
Additional information and a link to register can be found on the Native Seed Mix Design and Evaluation page.
New Trainings Available on Minnesota’s Core Competency Conservation (MNC3) Training Site
The MNC3training.com website now offers new training modules focusing on Habitat Management and Continuous Living Cover strategies. The first three of six newly released Habitat Management modules include:
- Module 1: Principles of Habitat Management
- Module 2: Tools for Habitat Management – Prescribed Fire
- Module 3: Tools for Habitat Management – Mechanical
Each module provides essential knowledge on managing ecosystems to support target species and biodiversity. These courses cover fundamental principles, prescribed fire techniques, and mechanical treatment methods. Future modules on chemical and grazing-based wildlife habitat management, and invasive species control are coming soon.
Additionally, a new Continuous Living Cover 101 module is available. It introduces strategies for maintaining year-round ground cover through various agricultural practices such as cover crops, agroforestry, and perennial biomass. These modules aim to equip participants with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective land management while promoting sustainability.
Nutrient Management Training Opportunities
Enhance your understanding of nutrient management with the Basic Nutrient Management Training hosted by UMN Extension on the following dates:
- March 18, Detroit Lakes
- March 25, Marshall
- March 27, Farmington
These sessions will cover the essentials of macronutrients and micronutrients in agricultural settings, focusing on their role in Minnesota’s unique farming conditions. Learn best practices for managing nutrients effectively, with insights from expert trainers Brad Carlson, Dan Kaiser and Ryan Buetow. The training is designed for those involved in agriculture and conservation, offering practical knowledge to apply directly in the field. Additional information and a link to register can be found on the Basic Nutrient Management page.
Nutrient Management 590 Training, an essential opportunity for professionals to deepen their understanding of nutrient management in Minnesota, will be held on April 15 in Detroit Lakes and April 17 in Marshall. This training will provide participants with the skills to implement NRCS programs, develop quality Nutrient Management Plans, and navigate state regulations with guidance from the MPCA and MDA. Topics covered include nutrient budgets, soil sampling, precision and adaptive nutrient management, and the role of manure in agricultural practices. With expert trainers and a hands-on approach, this training is designed for anyone involved in nutrient management and conservation efforts. You are encouraged to possess or attend Basic Nutrient Management knowledge or training prior to this. Additional information and a link to register can be found on the Nutrient Management page.
Engineering Field Tools (EFT) Waterway Design Tool (WDT) Training
Grassed Waterway (CPS 412) training will be held in Elk River on April 3 and Owatonna on April 15. This training will involve design steps using the NRCS Engineering Field Tools - Waterway Design Tool (EFT-WDT). The training will include design concepts, navigating EFT, and hands-on examples to design waterways in EFT-WDT. Additional information and a link to register can be found on the EFT – Waterway Design Tool page.
Save the Date – Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) Training
The Minnesota/North Dakota Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) Training in April and May 2025 will offer both remote and in-person sessions designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools for addressing wind erosion. Remote lectures will cover foundational topics, such as wind erosion mechanisms, conservation practices, and crop systems in Minnesota and North Dakota. In-person sessions, tentatively planned for April 29 to May 1, will provide hands-on training with the WEPS software, allowing students to engage in modeling wind erosion and conservation practices like windbreaks and residue management. A field day will give participants the opportunity to observe real-world operations and conservation practices in the Fargo/Moorhead area. After the training, students will complete an assignment using WEPS to analyze wind erosion concerns and propose solutions, with additional office hours and review sessions available for support.
2025 Shared Training Calendar
The working version of the 2025 training calendar is now available! This 12-month view of training offerings is regularly updated and provides information about upcoming training events, including potential dates and locations. Please see the legend at the top and note that the further out a training is proposed, the more likely adjustments will need to be made. The dates, locations, and other details are always tentative until the event is posted on the Training Calendar.
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Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program |
Upcoming MWPCP Training Courses:
TEP Academy – St. Cloud MNDOT Training Center – April 16 & 17 (Two one-day classes)
Soils on the Landscape – Robert Nye Regional Park – April 29 & 30 (Two one-day classes)
Wetland Delineation Methods with Field Practicum – Cloquet Forestry Center – May 20-22
Introduction to Wetland Delineation and Regulations – Shoreview MNDOT Training Center – June 9-13
Plant ID – Shoreview MNDOT Training Center (July 14) and Cloquet Forestry Center (July 16) (Two one-day classes)
MWPCP Regional Wetland Training - Northeast MN – Hermantown City Hall – Aug. 12-13
Introduction to Wetland Delineation and Regulations – Northland Arboretum, Baxter, MN – Sept. 8-12
Introduction to Wetland Delineation and Regulations – Shoreview MNDOT Training Center – Oct. 6-10
Hydrogeomorphic Method of Classifying Wetlands – Hartley Nature Center, Duluth – Oct. 28-29 (Two one-day classes)
Wetland Banking & Monitoring for Consultants – Shoreview MNDOT Training Center – Nov. 12-13
Registration for 2025 MWPCP courses will be staggered and open on the following dates:
Introduction to Wetland Delineation and Regulations classes – 8 a.m. on Feb. 24
April-June classes – 8 a.m. on March 3
July-October classes – Week of June 16
More information on MWPCP courses: bwsr.state.mn.us/wetland-training-opportunities
Technical Training & Certification Program Trainings
Tech Talk Webinars: Mondays at 1 p.m.
- Feb. 24 RCPP Soil Health Practices
- March 3 Livestock 101
- March 10 Nitrate in Groundwater
- March 17 Virtual Fence
March
April
September
- Feb. 19-20 Journey to Regenerative Ag, Albert Lea, MSHC
- Feb. 20-22 Marbleseed Organic Conference, La Crosse, Marbleseed
- Feb. 26-27, Tribal-State Relations Training, Granite Fall, State of Minnesota
- March 3-5 Best Practices for Pollinators Summit, Online, Pollinator Friendly Alliance
- March 5 Ecological Silviculture Workshop: Soils and Landforms, Cloquet, SFEC
- March 19-20 Midwest Grazing and Soil Health Summit, Willmar, SFA
- March 19-20 Grow More, Mankato, NWF
- March 21-22, 2025 Future of Southern Minnesota Lakes Conference, Mankato, ISG
- March 26-27, Tribal-State Relations Training, Tower, State of Minnesota
- March 25-April 3 Roots and Rotation, Multiple Locations, MNCGLA
- April 8 DNR Forest Health Update, Online, SFEC, DNR
- April 23-24, Tribal-State Relations Training, Grand Portage, State of Minnesota
- May 14-15, Tribal-State Relations Training, Carlton, State of Minnesota
- June 24-25, Tribal-State Relations Training, Onamia, State of Minnesota
- Sept. 23-25, 2025 Minnesota Agroforestry Institute, Baxter, UMN Extension
- Through Dec. 16 Managing Forests as Habitat in a Changing World, Online, USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub
Not all training takes place in a classroom. Check out the links below to learn at a time and place of your choosing.
We’ve also 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. You can visit BWSR's Online Learning page to find web-based technical training resources sorted by category.
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