Not all training takes place in a classroom. We’ve 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.

Online Learning
This table displays Online Learning opportunities and details.
Training calendar
Title Subject Skill Format Description Source
Soil Health and Sustainability for Field Staff - Blended Delivery Module 5: Ecological Management Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Soil Health and Management Video

Module 5 of 9 in the virtual portion of this blended training for 2021.  This training is designed to provide field-level conservationists and…

NRCS

Interseeding Prairies to Enhance Diversity Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Native Vegetation, Habitats and Pollinators Reference Material

(Time: will vary)  Webinar 4 of 7 from U of M's Ecological Restoration Training Center;  Interseeding to enhance native diversity in degraded,…

University of Minnesota

Corn Pest Management Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Pest Management Reference Material

This website provides information on insects, diseases and nematodes affecting corn.

U of M Extension

EFT Reference Materials Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Practice Specific Reference Material

These documents support EFT Terrace and Waterway design tools (TDT and WDT).  They include workflows to prepare data for import into EFT and…

TTCP

It's All About Carbon: Building a Thriving Soil Biological Community Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Soil Health and Management Video

A supplemental video for the 2021 Soil Health and Sustainability. Dennis Chessman of NRCS gives a presentation on Soil Carbon at the 2018 National…

NRCS

Selecting Seed Sources to “Future-Proof” Restored Plant Communities Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Native Vegetation, Habitats and Pollinators Webinar

(Time: 1:03:32)  Webinar 5 of 7 from U of M's Ecological Restoration Training Center    Selecting seed sources for restoration projects, so plant…

University of Minnesota

Tech Talk Replay: Vegetative and CRP Stand Evaluation Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Vegetation Webinar

Tech Talk Replay from May 18, 2020. Laurie Svien and Jim Fritz review the use of Agronomy Tech Note 17 and CRP Note 125 in vegetative and CRP…

TTCP

Forage Pest Management Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Pest Management Reference Material

This website provides information on alfalfa diseases and insects. 

U of M Extension

Introduction to Conservation Forestry Planning Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Forestry Basics and Practices Online Course

Time will vary (8 modules, 178 slides); This training focuses on procedures, tools and processes used by conservation planners to deliver…

NRCS

Webinar 6: Identifying Resource Concerns and Determining Landowner Objectives Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Wetland ID & Ecology Basics Webinar

This is the sixth webinar, delivered in 3 segments, in ASWM and NRCS’s jointly-developed nine-part wetland training webinar series.  

ASWM and NRCS

Foundations of Forest Wildlife Habitat Management - #1 of 5 - Habitat Selection by Forest-Associated Species: Abiotic Factors Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Wildlife Habitat Assessment & Management Webinar

Lecture series overview and introduction to habitat, habitat selection, and abiotic elements influencing forests and habitat for selected species…

USFWS

Climate Change and Adaptive Management for Agriculture Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Soil Health and Management Video

A supplemental video for the 2021 Soil Health and Sustainability. Discussion of the impacts of climate change on agriculture and the adaptive…

NRCS

Ten Things to Know About Planting Wet Areas Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Native Vegetation, Habitats and Pollinators Webinar

(Time: 59:27)  Webinar 6 of 7 from U of M Ecological Restoration Training Center  Wet areas such as wetlands, shorelines, and stormwater projects…

University of Minnesota

Small Grain Pest Management Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Pest Management Reference Material

This website provides information about diseases and insects common to Minnesota small grain crops.

U of M Extension

Pipe Hydraulics Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Hydraulics Video

Time: 15:55, Suggested viewing: 10:20;  The NRCS Oklahoma State Engineer demonstrates pipe hydraulics in a lab setting.  He shows several types of…

NRCS

Webinar 7: How to Talk About Wetlands with Landowners Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Wetland ID & Ecology Basics Webinar

This is the seventh webinar, delivered in 3 segments, in ASWM and NRCS’s jointly-developed nine-part wetland training webinar series.

ASWM and NRCS

Foundations of Forest Wildlife Habitat Management - #2 of 5 in series - Saving all the Pieces: Forest Structure and Composition Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Wildlife Habitat Assessment & Management Webinar

Introduction of biotic factors affecting forests and forest composition and structure as habitat elements.

USFWS

Tree Identification Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Plant ID Reference Material

University of Minnesota resources for the identification of trees: Tree Identification Cards that can be downloaded and printed, Beginners Guide…

UMN Extension

Introduction to Agroforestry Systems Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Forestry Basics and Practices Webinar

Participants will learn about the five recognized agroforestry practices: Windbreaks, Alleycropping, Silvopasture, Forest Farming and Riparian. (…

USFS

Building Better Native Seed Mixes Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Native Vegetation, Habitats and Pollinators Webinar

(Time: 59:45) Webinar 7 of 7 from U of M's Ecological Restoration Training Center;  Learn how to make the State of Minnesota’s new seed mix system…

University of Minnesota

Tech Talk Replay: Pasture Condition Scoresheet Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Managed Grazing Systems Webinar

Tech Talk Replay from June 1, 2020. Lance Smith (NRCS) and Jeff Duchene (NRCS) review the purpose and applicability of pasture scoring in pasture…

TTCP

Soybean Pest Management Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Pest Management Reference Material

This website provides information on insects and diseases affecting soybean.

U of M Extension

Tech Talk Replay: HEC-HMS Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Hydrology Webinar

Tech Talk Replay from June 15, 2020. Amanda Deans demonstrates the use of HEC-HMS. Amanda models a simple drainage area and compare the discharge…

TTCP

Tech Talk Replay: HydroCAD Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Hydrology Webinar

Tech Talk Replay from June 29, 2020. Amanda Deans demonstrates a simple HydroCAD model.  She used the same simple drainage area from the ‘Intro to…

TTCP

Tech Talk: Construction Inspection Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Construction Inspection Webinar

TTCP engineers Amanda Deans and Aaron Peter kick off a multi-part construction inspection series. This session covers what to do at a pre-…

TTCP

Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation of Forest Wildlife Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Forest Ecology and Management Webinar

Climate change is affecting the species and communities that make up our forests in a myriad of ways. Dr. Morelli will present a synthesis of the…

USFWS

Quick Reference Links- CAD Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) CAD Reference Material

This link takes you to the MN NRCS engineering page, under Resources and CAD.  This page contains over 100 quick reference guides (pdf) describing…

NRCS

Tech Talk: HEC-HMS - Modeling a Grade Stabilization Structure Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Practice Specific Webinar

Tech Talk Replay from March 1, 2021,  A demonstration on how to use HEC-HMS to model a Grade Stabilization Structure.

TTCP

Emulating Forest Disturbance with Silviculture Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Forest Ecology and Management Webinar

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed a Forest Ecology and Management course focused on advancing knowledge and skills for USFWS…

USFWS

Quick Reference link - Surveying Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Surveying Reference Material

Time: will vary;   This link takes you to the MN NRCS engineering page, under Resources and CAD.  This page contains 7 quick reference guides (pdf…

NRCS

What's at risk? Implications of Climate Change on Forests and Options for Adaptation Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Forest Ecology and Management Webinar

Climate change is altering forest ecosystems, with many changes expected by the end of the 21st century. Forests vary widely, and not all forests…

USFWS

Tech Talk: Concrete Specifications, Inspection, and Cold Weather Considerations Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Concrete Construction Webinar

Patrick Schultz (TTCP Training Engineer) and Michael Krcmarik (NRCS Agricultural Engineer) summarize the NRCS Concrete and Reinforcement…

TTCP

NPC Silviculture Strategies for Forest Stand Prescriptions Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Forest Ecology and Management Reference Material

The Division of Forestry has developed silviculture strategies to inform sustainable forest management in Minnesota. These documents include…

DNR

Blowing Snow Control Tools Practice Specific Reference Material

University of Minnesota resources for design of Living Snow Fences.  This site includes a design tool, a video on how to run the design tool,  a…

UMN Extension

Tech Talk: What Do I Need to Run HEC-HMS or HydroCAD? Hydrology Webinar

If you watched either of the Intro to HEC-HMS or Intro to HydroCAD Tech Talks and wondered "But how do I obtain the information I need to enter…

TTCP

High Clearance Cover Crop seeder with Andy Linder Practice Specific Video

(Time: 9 mins, 35 secs) Producer Andy Linder of Faribault MN demonstrates how he seeds cover crops into soybeans and corn using his revamped high…

Minnesota NRCS

Assessment of Windbreak Condition and Indicators to Renovate Practice Specific Video

Steve Rasmussen, a National Forest Service District Forester presents on evaluating the condition of an existing windbreak to determine if it…

USDA National Agroforestry Center

High Tunnel System Practice Specific Video

(Time: 10 mins, 39 secs) This video is about a high tunnel that was built in St. Paul Minnesota by Urban Roots during the summer of 2018 with…

Minnesota NRCS

Renovation: Experiences in the Field Practice Specific Video

Video describes need for windbreak renovation, equipment and various techniques that can be used.  

USDA National Agroforestry Center

Nitrogen Smart Practice Specific Online Course

(Time: minimum 2 hours) An interactive training program for producers that presents the fundamentals for maximizing economic return on nitrogen…

University of Minnesota Extension 

Herbicide Trait Technology: What to Use When, Where and How Practice Specific Video

Where does it make most sense to use certain herbicide tolerance traits? What are some of the things you should consider when using them? Learn…

UMN Extension 

Windbreak Renovation: North Dakota experience Practice Specific Video

Wells County (ND) SWCD Manager, Anne Ehni describes their experience with windbreak renovation.

USDA National Agroforestry Center

Side Dressing Cover Crops into Corn with Rob Olson and Daughters Practice Specific Video

(Time: 13 mins, 34 secs) Producer Rob Olson and daughters Nicole and Kari demonstrate inter-seeding cover crops into corn on their farm in Clay…

Minnesota NRCS

Shelterbelt Renovation: Manitoba experience Practice Specific Video

Richard Warkentin of the Stanley Soil Management Association in Manitoba presents on their experience with shelterbelt renovations.

USDA National Agroforestry Center

Cover Crops: Matching your management strategies and goals Practice Specific Video

There are a number of important considerations when deciding which cover crops fit best with your operation. In this webinar, we discuss U of MN…

UMN Extension 

Pollinator Friendly Multi-functional Windbreak Design Practice Specific Video

Mark Wonneck, of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada discusses the habitat requirements for pollinator species and how they can be considered and…

USDA National Agroforestry Center

Understanding the Science Behind Riparian Forest Buffers: Effects on Water Quality Practice Specific Reference Material

A publication by Virginia Cooperative Extension that describes the effects of riparian buffers on sediment, nutrients and other pollutants as well…

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Hot Topics in Weed Management: Putting the pieces together Practice Specific Video

With the multitude of crop herbicide resistant trait packages available, chemical weed control has become more complicated, especially as…

UMN Extension 

Tech Talk: Brush Management (CPS314) In Pastures Practice Specific Webinar

Jeff Duchene, NRCS Grazing Lands Specialist, reviews the Brush Management (PS314) practice standard, implementation requirements, and statement of…

TTCP

Multifunctional Shelterbelts: Considerations and Designs for Ecobuffers and Ecologically-based Farming Practice Specific Video

Mark Wonneck and Gary Bank  of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada discuss the benefits, functions and design considerations for woody vegetation "…

USDA National Agroforestry Center