On Farm Communication
Formerly known as Ag 101, the On Farm Communications training is being held again this year at Central Lakes College in Staples. This hands-on beginner training is an excellent introduction to agriculture for employees who are new to their positions or don’t have an agricultural background. New this year is an advanced series for more experienced staff looking for a deeper dive into agricultural practices. Each training set is designed to cover major agricultural activities during the cropping season, from planting through harvest. The remaining two sessions, scheduled for October, will focus on crop harvest and fall farming activities.
- The Beginner Series is designed for those newer to agriculture, and covers the full growing season from planting through harvest. The final session is scheduled for Oct. 7.
- The Advanced Series is a deeper dive for more experienced participants. Topics include precision agriculture, mapping, crop budgeting, and emerging technologies. The final session is scheduled for Oct. 8.
For additional information and links to register, please visit the On Farm Communications Training Series page.
Native Prairie Grazing & Plant Identification Field Training
Join us on Aug. 6 at Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge for a hands-on field training focused on the relationship between grazing livestock and native prairie ecosystems. Participants will visit grazed prairie sites to identify grasses, forbs, and legumes, evaluate plant recovery after grazing, and observe livestock grazing patterns across different landscapes. Learn how to assess prairie health, measure grazing utilization, compare management strategies, and discuss seed mix design for grazing objectives, native grassland restoration, and wildlife conservation. This interactive training is ideal for conservation planners, grazing specialists, and natural resource professionals seeking practical field experience with native prairie grazing systems.
Additional information and a link to register can be found on the Grazed Prairie Field Training page.
Soil Health Sampling & CEMA 216 Testing Workshop
Join Anna Cates, Stephanie McLain, and Amy Robak on Aug. 14 at Central Lakes College in Staples for a hands-on training focused on soil health sampling and interpretation for Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity (CEMA) 216 testing. Participants will learn how to properly collect, store, submit, and interpret soil samples used to evaluate soil biological health, soil carbon pools, and aggregate stability. The training combines classroom instruction with field activities including soil health sampling demonstrations, in field assessment techniques, and observation of cover crop research plots. Participants will gain practical knowledge of the CEMA 216 funding process and build confidence discussing soil health test results with producers.
For additional information and to a link to register, please visit the Soil Health Testing page.
Windbreak & Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation Workshop
Ready to build your windbreak planning and design skills? This interactive field and classroom workshop will be offered in four locations statewide and will cover windbreak and shelterbelt design, establishment, evaluation, maintenance, and renovation through real-world site visits and hands-on design exercises. Although the in-person sessions are not until the week of Oct. 12, don’t wait to register! Several prerequisite webinars are coming up with the first Tech Talks scheduled for July 27. The workshop is also the required first step for those interested in participating in the Windbreak/Shelterbelt Cohort that will be offered later this year or in early 2027.
You can find additional workshop details, prerequisite requirements, and a link to register on any of the Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation Trainings pages.
Engineering Bootcamp
Formerly known as Intro to Conservation Engineering, Engineering Bootcamp will be held in Stearns County starting 10 a.m. on Aug. 18 and wrapping up around noon on Aug. 19. The two-day training, which is intended for all newer technical staff and not just engineering technicians, will include outdoor exercises and field visits to view installed practices. Each topic will be a high-level overview intended to help participants become familiar with numerous conservation practices and understand the skills needed for their planning and implementation. This course is introductory and does not include in-depth practice design training.
Additional information and a link to register can be found on the Engineering Bootcamp page.
Minnesota Agroforestry Institute
Join experts, practitioners, and fellow conservation professionals for the Minnesota Agroforestry Institute, a two-and-a-half day training focused on integrating trees and perennial systems into working agricultural landscapes. Through classroom sessions, field tours, and hands-on design exercises, participants will explore agroforestry practices such as alley cropping, silvopasture, forest farming, riparian buffers, and windbreaks.
This interactive institute, planned for Sept. 15-17 at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman, will help technical staff and educators understand how agroforestry can improve farm profitability, water quality, wildlife habitat, soil health, and climate resilience, while providing practical tools to support landowners interested in adopting these practices.
For more information and a registration link visit the Agroforestry Institute page.
Conservation Cohort: Herbaceous Vegetation Establishment
Build confidence in herbaceous vegetation establishment and take your seeding skills to the next level through this four-month, small group On the Job Training (OJT) Cohort. Working with experienced facilitators and peers, you’ll develop the skills needed to independently plan, design, and certify herbaceous vegetation establishment practices, including Conservation Cover (327), Wildlife Habitat Planting (420), and Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats (643).
Throughout the cohort, participants will complete a real project to demonstrate Job Approval Authority (JAA) competency, while receiving individualized coaching. Reserve all cohort session dates on your calendar before registering. The sessions build on one another, making regular participation essential for maximizing the value of this hands-on learning experience.
Additional information, including scheduled dates and a link to register, can be found on the Seeding Practices Cohorts page.
Conservation Cohort: Critical Area Planting - Shoreland
Advance your shoreland restoration skills and take the next step toward Job Approval Authority (JAA) for Critical Area Planting (342). This small group, virtual On the Job Training (OJT) Cohort provides individualized coaching as participants plan, design, and certify a Critical Area Planting practice in a shoreland setting using native seed mixes, seedling plugs, and supporting practices that meet NRCS standards.
This cohort is intended for participants who already have a baseline knowledge of practice planning and design and are ready to build the skills and confidence needed to independently certify projects. Reserve all cohort session dates on your calendar before registering. Sessions build on one another over several months, and consistent participation is essential to successfully completing your project and demonstrating competency for JAA.
Additional information, including scheduled dates and a link to register, can be found on the Critical Area Planting Seeding – Shoreline page.
Job Approval Authority Updated in eLINK
Job Approval Authority (JAA) credentials have been updated in eLINK. This update reflects JAA in the NRCS database as of June 4. Take a minute to review your JAA, and if something doesn’t look right, please get in touch with us.
Tyler’s Three Things: Herbicides and Cover Crops
Herbicide labels are the only way to know how a chemical may limit cover crop options.
Grasses, legumes, and brassicas all respond differently to chemicals.
Herbicides usually influence planting intervals, rotational restrictions, and grazing or harvest restrictions.
Want to learn more? Check out this webinar replay on Herbicide Interactions with Cover Crops.
2026 Shared Training Calendar
An updated working version of the 2026 training calendar is 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.
 |
|
Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program |
Upcoming Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program Course Schedule:
July 21 - Plant ID & Rapid FQA - Lino Lakes
Aug. 31 - Sept. 4 - Introduction to Wetland Delineation & Regulation - Cloquet
Sept. 14-18 - Introduction to Wetland Delineation & Regulation - Brainerd
Oct. 13 & 14 - Functional Assessment Method - Shoreview
Nov. 18 - WCA Rule Virtual Training (registration opens summer 2026)
Dec. 8 - New Normal?: Emerging Topics in the Wetland World - St. Paul
MWPCP Registration Information:
Registration for Introduction to Wetland Delineation & Regulation opens March 9: Registration Link
Registration for all remaining courses opens March 16 (unless noted otherwise): Registration Link
Technical Training & Certification Program Trainings
Tech Talk Webinars: Mondays at 1 p.m.
- July 27, Conservation Tree Shrub Groups
- Aug. 3, Precision Mapping
- Aug. 10, Windbreak 101
- Aug. 17, Windbreak 201
- Aug. 17, Windbreak/Shelterbelt Design
- Aug. 24, Wetland Restoration
- Sept. 21, Individual Development Plan Tool
- Oct. 5, Living Snow Fence
- Oct. 19, P-Index
- Nov. 16, Technical Training Resources
July
August
- Aug. 6, Grazed Prairie Field Training, Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
- Aug. 11, Grazing Facilitating Practices, Bagley/Bemidji
- Aug. 12, Livestock Water System Design, Bagley/Bemidji
- Aug. 14, Soil Health Testing: CEMA 216 Training, Staples
- Aug. 18-19, Engineering Bootcamp, Waite Park
September
- Sept. 1, Nutrient and Pest Management Administrative Review Training, Thief River Falls
- Sept. 2, Nutrient and Pest Management Administrative Review Training, Detroit Lakes
- Sept. 9, Nutrient and Pest Management Administrative Review Training, Baxter
- Sept. 15, Nutrient and Pest Management Administrative Review Training, Marshall
- Sept. 15-17, 2026 Agroforestry Institute, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
- Sept. 16, Nutrient and Pest Management Administrative Review Training, Owatonna
- Sept. 21, Seeding Practices Cohorts 2026, Online
October
- Oct. 7, On Farm Communications Training Series – Beginner, Staples
- Oct. 8, On Farm Communications Training Series – Advanced, Staples
- Oct. 8, Critical Area Planting Seeding - Shoreland Cohort, Fall 2026, Online
- Oct. 13, 2026 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation Training, Dodge/Olmsted
- Oct. 14, 2026 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation Training, Litchfield
- Oct. 15, 2026 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation Training, Hawley
- Oct. 16, 2026 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation Training, Sleepy Eye
- Jan. 13-Oct. 13, SFEC's 2026 Webinar Series, SFEC, Online
- Feb. 9-Oct. 29, Livestock 101 Webinar Training Series - Part II, Conservation Webinars, Online
- July 22 2026 Sustainable Agronomy Conference, ASA, Online
- July 28 Recognizing and Managing Oak Wilt, SFEC, St. Croix State Park
- July 29 2026 Sustainable Agronomy Conference, ASA, Online
- July 29-30 Field School for Ag Professionals, UMN Extension, St. Paul
- Aug. 4 Roots to Recognition: Plant ID for Conservation, PF and Xerces, McGregor
- Aug. 5 Recognizing and Managing Oak Wilt, SFEC, Little Falls
- Aug. 12 Forestry for Minnesota Birds Field Day, SFEC, Chippewa National Forest
- Aug. 31 Mid Season Plant ID, PF and Xerces, Cannon Falls
- Sept. 23 Timber Sale Preparation and Administration, SFEC, Two Harbors
- Sept. 22-24, River Ecology Unit 2026 Workshop, MNDNR, Marshall
- Oct. 7-8 Forest Management and Wildlife Habitat Symposium 2026, SFEC, Cloquet Forestry Center
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
New:
Program Contacts
|
