2025 BWSR Academy Session Planning Kickoff
On March 3, the 20-member Academy Program Team kicked off session selection for the upcoming 2025 BWSR Academy which will be held on Oct. 21-23. This four and a half hour planning meeting started with Program Team members reviewing, by track, the over 450 session suggestions and narrowing down the suggestions to 15 per track. There will be two additional Program Team meetings resulting in trainers secured and the Academy schedule confirmed by June 5. Thank you to all who submitted session ideas and the Program Team for their work on Academy.
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Prescribed Grazing Plan Development Cohort
This is the last call to sign up for the 2025 Prescribed Grazing Plan Development Cohort, which is open for registration until March 28. This cohort will provide hands on training completing real world planning and design of 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 your supervisor on whether this training is appropriate for you. You can find more information and a link to register on the Prescribed Grazing Plan Development page.
We are planning to launch additional cohorts in April and May, so stay tuned!
Basic Cover Crop
Join us for the Basic Cover Crop 2025 training, designed to provide essential knowledge and practical tools for successfully integrating cover crops into Midwestern cropping systems. This comprehensive program covers everything from selecting the right cover crops to understanding termination methods, enhancing soil health, and supporting sustainable farming practices. Participants will gain hands on experience with tools like the Midwest Cover Crop Council (MCCC) Cover Crop Selection Tool and NRCS Seed Rate Calculator. Led by expert trainers from NRCS, UMN, and local seed vendors and agronomists, this training is ideal for new conservation professionals or those needing a refresher. Don't miss out! Register by March 21, and strengthen your expertise in cover crop management! For more information visit the Basic Cover Crop 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.
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.
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, other wildlife, and 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. Two 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.
Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS)
Join us for Wind Erosion Training in Spring 2025, a unique opportunity to learn how to effectively manage and mitigate wind erosion using the WEPS (Wind Erosion Prediction System). This comprehensive training will be held as remote learning via Teams providing hands on experience with WEPS and wind erosion lectures. Learn from experts in the field as you explore real-world scenarios, from field operations to windbreak implementation, and gain critical insights into wind erosion control. This course is perfect for NRCS, University, CD, and Industry partners looking to deepen their understanding and expand their skill set. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your ability to tackle wind erosion challenges. A link to register can be found on the Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) page.
Soil Mechanics and Waterway Field Day
Save the Date, May 6 in Mower County, for a Soil Mechanics field day. This training will be for staff wanting to build off of soil texturing (SM-1) and apply it in the field to various conservation practices. We’ll also use this as a waterway I&E training, teaching staff how to identify resource concerns, what preliminary work should be done, and how to tackle a design survey. As it becomes available, additional information will be sent out to folks with Soil Mechanics or Grassed Waterway (CPS 412) I&E in their IDP.
On Farming Communications Training
Returning this year is Cultivating Career Success: On Farm Communications Training. Join the staff at the Central Lakes College Ag & Energy Center in Staples for an enriching opportunity to delve into the world of farming through our comprehensive Farm Immersion program (formerly known as Agronomy 101 Training). These immersive training days are designed to equip NRCS and SWCD participants with hands-on technical knowledge and educational insights across various aspects of modern agriculture.
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Hands on learning: Engage in interactive sessions and hands-on experiences tailored to deepen your understanding of agricultural practices.
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Expert guidance: Learn from seasoned professionals and experts in the field who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience.
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Networking opportunities: Connect with fellow employees from around the state, industry experts, and potential collaborators, fostering a network within the agricultural community.
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Training dates: The sessions will be held May 14, 15; July 15, 16; and Oct. 7, 8. Participants are expected to attend one session (one day) in each of these months and are asked to commit to attending all three sessions.
Additional information and a link to register can be found on the On Farm Communications page.
New Trainings Available on Minnesota’s Core Competency Conservation (MNC3) Training Site
We continue to post new training modules on the MNC3training.com website. In addition to the three Habitat Management modules posted last month, we have now posted the fourth module in this series: Tools for Habitat Management – Chemical. There are still two more modules that will be released when completed, so check back soon!
Job Approval Authority Updated in eLINK
NRCS Job Approval Authority (JAA) delegations were recently updated in eLINK. If you have JAA you can view this under the My Credentials tab. If you aren’t sure how to do this, there are some instructions on the IDP User Guidance page. Something not showing up correctly? Please contact us to let us know.
2025 Shared Training Calendar
An updated 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.
BWSR Sponsored Training Events
March
- March 18, MN CREP Training, Online, If you missed the March 12 registration deadline but would like to attend, contact Dusty Van Thuyne to check if there is space available
- March 19, RIM in Southwest Minnesota, Marshall
- March 21, MN CREP Training, Rochester, If you missed the March 12 registration deadline but would like to attend, contact Dusty Van Thuyne to check if there is space available
- March 24, MN CREP Training, Waite Park, If you missed the March 12 registration deadline but would like to attend, contact Dusty Van Thuyne to check if there is space available
April
- April 1, Successful Outreach Strategies Workshop, St. Cloud (Audience: Watershed District, Soil and Water Conservation District and Watershed Management Organization staff)
- April 2, Building Habitat Friendly Rights of Ways Workshop, Andover
- April 2, Successful Outreach Strategies Workshop, Bemidji (Audience: Watershed District, Soil and Water Conservation District and Watershed Management Organization staff)
- April 3, Successful Outreach Strategies Workshop, Duluth (Audience: Watershed District, Soil and Water Conservation District and Watershed Management Organization staff)
- April 7, Successful Outreach Strategies Workshop, Mankato (Audience: Watershed District, Soil and Water Conservation District and Watershed Management Organization staff)
October
- Oct. 21-23, HOLD THE DATE: BWSR Academy, Brainerd
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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) (Full-both days)
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 (Full)
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: https://bwsr.state.mn.us/wetland-training-opportunities
Technical Training & Certification Program Trainings
Tech Talk Webinars: Mondays at 1 p.m.
- March 17 Virtual Fence
- March 24 Manure Management Tool
- April 14 TTCP Onboarding
- April 28 Fertilizer Recommendations
- May 5 Brush Management
- May 12 4R Nutrient Stewardship Principles and the Value of Soil Sampling
March
April
- April 3, 15, EFT - Waterway Design Tool, Elk River and Owatonna
- April 15, 17, Nutrient Management, Detroit Lakes and Marshall
- April 21-25, Native Seed Mix Design and Evaluation Training, Multiple Locations
- April 21-May 1, Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS), Online
- April 22, 24, Basic Cover Crop, Fergus Falls and Marshall
May
September
- March 19, Terminating Cover Crops and Planning for Unexpected Weather, MCCC, Online
- March 19-20, Midwest Grazing and Soil Health Summit, SFA, Willmar
- March 19-20, Grow More, NWF, Mankato
- March 21-22, 2025 Future of Southern Minnesota Lakes Conference, ISG, Mankato
- March 26-27, Tribal-State Relations Training, State of Minnesota, Tower
- April 2-16, Forest Management for Wildlife, UMN Extension, Online
- April 8, DNR Forest Health Update, SFEC, DNR, Online
- April 23-24, Tribal-State Relations Training, State of Minnesota, Grand Portage
- May 14-15, Tribal-State Relations Training, State of Minnesota, Carlton
- June 24-25, Tribal-State Relations Training, State of Minnesota, Onamia
- Sept. 23-25, 2025 Minnesota Agroforestry Institute, UMN Extension, Baxter
- Through Dec. 16, Managing Forests as Habitat in a Changing World, USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub, Online
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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Program Contacts
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