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 + training opportunities and details.
Online learning opportunities
Title Format Description Training Source Training Subject
Virtual 4R Field Day Webinar

Farmers, agronomists and all interested in nutrient management and innovative conservation are invited to join the online 4R Technology Review…

VegScape Reference Material

Layer developed by USDA NASS in cooperation with NASA.  Map showing crop condition monitoring system. Integrates soil moisture, temperature,…

Vegetative Growth Stages of Soybeans (soybeans 2/3) Video

(Time: 16:39) This video focuses on the early season growth and development of soybeans

Using WIN-PST for Conservation Planning Online Course

This course introduces you to the Windows Pesticide Screening Tool (WIN-PST). You will learn what the tool is and how to run it. You will also…

Using the EFT Waterway Sizing Wizard Video

This video is a re-recording of an Engineering Field Tool's (EFT) Waterway Wizard webinar originally presented March 2017 by NRCS Area 6 Engineer…

Using Soil Taxonomy to Identify Hydric Soils Reference Material

This is a powerpoint presentation with 59 slides describing the hierarchical nature of soil classification and how a particular soil’s…

Using Soil Data from the USDA Geospatial Data Gateway in ArcGIS Video

(Time: 14:55) This video will explain how to download soil survey spatial and tabular data from the Geospatial Data Gateway and how to use…

Using Planning Criteria in Conservation Planning Online Course

This course introduces you to NRCS planning criteria and their role in each phase of the Nine Steps of Conservation Planning. You will learn about…

Using Legumes to Supply Crop Nitrogen While Also Reaping Benefits for Soil Health Webinar

Join to learn how to reduce nitrogen need by incorporating legumes into your rotation. Using leguminous cover crops provides multiple below ground…

Using Basic Soil Survey Information in Conservation Planning Online Course

The goal of this course is to introduce you to several common soil properties and interpretations, the basics of map unit composition, and Web…

Use of NRCS Conservation Practice Standards and Specifications Webinar

(Time: 1:14) Participants will learn to use NRCS conservation practice standards to support the NRCS conservation planning process.

USDA NRCS National Soil Survey Center Webinar

This is the display of all the online videos produced by the National Soil Survey Center. There are over 100 videos available, most of which will…

Urban Agriculture 101 - Part 2: Supporting Urban and Innovative Agriculture through Production, Conservation and Risk Management Webinar

FPAC agencies implement programs designed to mitigate the significant risks of farming through crop insurance, conservation programs, farm safety…

Unlock the Secrets in the Soil Video

A series of 41 videos, mostly under five minutes each that discuss various soil health topics and applications of soil health principles. …

University of Minnesota Extension: Beef Extension Reference Material

This site provides access to publications and other resources related to beef production in Minnesota including cow/calf management, feedlot…

Understanding Soil Quality Impacts on Soil Functions and Other Resource Concerns Webinar

(Time: 1:18) Participants learn about nutrient management and healthy soils, and the resulting effects on water quality through a study…

Tree Identification Reference Material

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

Training Module 5: Determining Contributing and Applied Acres for the BWSR Estimator Sheet and Rill Erosion Spreadsheet Video
Training Module 4: Best Practices for using the BWSR Stream and Ditch Bank Erosion Estimator Video
Training Module 3: Best Practices for using the BWSR Gully Estimator Video
Training Module 2: What Practices does the BWSR Estimator address? Reference Material
Training Module 1: BWSR Estimator 101 Reference Material
Topic 4, Module 12: Using Field Indicators to Assess Long-term Hydrology Webinar

The module focuses on potential uses of Field Indicators of Hydric Soils to assess hydrologic characteristics of individual wetlands. This module…

Topic 4, Module 11: Using Soils for Mitigation, Voluntary Restoration and Creation Webinar

The module focuses on how wetland professionals can use soil science principles in onsite decision making for work in the areas of wetland…

Topic 4, Module 10: Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States Webinar

The module focuses on using the NTCHS Indicators of Hydric Soils (Version 7.0) for onsite decision making about soils in the field. This module…

Topic 3, Module 9: HGM and Hydric Soils Webinar

The module focuses on the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) system and hydric soils. The classification of wetlands in the HGM system is based on landscape…

Topic 3, Module 8: Problematic Landscapes and Parent Materials Webinar

The module focuses on problematic landscapes and parent materials. Most hydric soils exhibit certain common morphological characteristics that…

Topic 3, Module 7: Landscapes and Hydric Soil Webinar

The module focuses on typical hydric soil morphologies associated with major wetland types-tidal marshes, peat bogs, perennially-inundated swamps…

Topic 2, Module 6: The Hydric Soil Technical Standard Webinar

The module focuses on the Hydric Soil Technical Standard. The Hydric Soil Technical Standard (HSTS) provides a quantitative method of determining…

Topic 2, Module 5: Hydric Soil Functions Webinar

The module focuses on wetland functions attributed directly to hydric soils. Functions are the biological, chemical, and physical processes that…

Topic 2, Module 4: Redox Reactions and Redoximorphic Features Webinar

This module begins with a review of redox reactions and redoximorphic features. Reduction and concurrent oxidation (redox) are the dominant…

Topic 1, Module 3: Describing Soil Color for Hydric Soils Determinations Webinar

This module focuses on describing soil color. Soil color and the color patterns in soil can tell you a lot about the soil. It is an especially…

Topic 1, Module 2: Soil Texture and Structure Webinar

This module focuses on two physical soil properties - texture and structure. Soil texture describes the relative proportions of sand, silt, and…

Topic 1, Module 1: The five factors of Soil Formation and Horizonation vs. Simple Processes Webinar

This module will cover both the five factors of formation and horizonation vs. simple processes. The module presentation will begin with a review…

Top 3 Tips for Cover Crop Termination Webinar

Meaghan Anderson, Field Agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, shares the top 3 considerations for terminating cover crops…

Tillage Implements Online Course

This course will review tillage calculation tools, primary tillage implements, and secondary tillage implements used in a corn/soybean setting.…

Tile Drainage in Minnesota and Wisconsin: What We Know From Edge-of-Field Monitoring and Practical Management Implications for Farmers Video

Discovery Farms Programs in Wisconsin and Minnesota are excited to bring to you a virtual conference series this winter. Join us as we cover…

The Top 10 Impacts of Cover Crops on Soil Health Video

This Digital Café features Dr. Rob Myers, Director of the University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture and also Regional Director of…

The Soil is Alive on Highway 75 Video

Watch and learn about Soil Health through discussions, simulations and demonstrations with Ray Archuleta, a Certified Professional Soil Scientist…

The Social Science of Conservation (Phase I, Webinar #2) Webinar

This 3-phase, webinar-based training series is designed to teach basic principles of conservation economics to enable participants to integrate…

The Role of Plant Genetics in Soil Health: Selecting Crop Cultivars for Organic Production Webinar

Organic farmers need crop cultivars that perform well in organic production systems, and several farmer-participatory plant breeding networks are…

The Relevance of Soil Biology in Assessing Fertility and Soil Health Webinar

(Time:1:22:00) Participants will learn how soil biology directly and indirectly influence crop growth and nutrient cycling, along with…

The Nobel Conference 2018 - Living Soil: A Universe Underfoot Video

Scoop up some soil in your hands and consider there are more organisms in that handful of soil than humans who have ever lived. Soil is a living…

The Forest for the Bees Webinar

Bees are incredibly diverse and provide important ecological services such as pollination. However, baseline information such as faunistic surveys…

Ten Things to Know About Planting Wet Areas Webinar

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

Technical Training Individual Development Plan (IDP) Tool: staff/user training Webinar

User Training (NRCS/SWCD/TSA staff): All NRCS, TSA, and SWCD staff with an existing eLINK account can create and…

Technical Training Individual Development Plan (IDP) Tool: manager training Webinar

Manager Training: All eLINK users with a “Manager” role within an NRCS, SWCD, TSA can view and edit training needs and…

Tech Talk: Winter Camelina Webinar

Winter camelina is a winter hardy brassica that can add diversity to a traditional corn and soybean rotation and has potential as a cash crop.…

TTCP
Tech Talk: Windbreak Planning Considerations Webinar

This session includes an overview of the Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment (CPS 380) practice standard and some of the additional planning…

Tech Talk: Windbreak Fundamentals Webinar

Gary Wyatt (UMN Extension) provides an overview of Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment (CPS380) practice and the windbreak design elements: height…