This course introduces you to plant identification and its role in the conservation planning process. You will learn basics of plant identification, such as how to identify plant parts and how to use different types of plant keys. You’ll also learn about collecting and preserving plant samples and about electronic and other resources that can help with plant identification. You’ll lastly learn how plant identification is used within specific phases of the Nine Steps of Conservation Planning.

Farmers, agronomists and all interested in nutrient management and innovative conservation are invited to join the online 4R Technology Review Field Day featuring the Nordick farm of Wilkin County, along with a message from Brian Ryberg, Minnesota’s second 4R Advocate.

TTCP Training Engineers Pat Schultz and Amanda Deans dive into all things hydraulics. They provide an introduction into channel flow, orifice flow, weir flow, and pipe flow.

This is the third part of the Construction Inspection series. To be a designer and inspector on structural practices involving earthfill, you need to understand soil properties, compactive effort, machinery used on construction sites, and the importance of moisture. Aaron Peter, TTCP Training Engineer, repeats a presentation from the 2019 Basics of Construction Inspection class and Academy presentation.

Brad Carlson, UMN Extension, reviews soil sampling requirements for nutrient management planning. This session covers how to collect samples, where samples are analyzed, and what samples are tested for.

Patrick Schultz (TTCP Training Engineer) and Michael Krcmarik (NRCS Agricultural Engineer) summarize the NRCS Concrete and Reinforcement construction specifications with an emphasis on cold weather concreting requirements. Tips for how to inspect projects according to the specifications and what to do when deficiencies are observed are also discussed.

Lance Smith, NRCS Rangeland Specialist, shows how to calculate stocking rates by considering forage production, herd needs, and the management of the grazing system.

Additional forest management considerations for specific habitat components critical to certain wildlife species including riparian areas, dead wood, legacy trees and other unique features.

Join Caroline D’Huyvetter, Clarissa Levi and Bill Fitzgerald from MDA to learn about the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Water Quality Certification Program. Caroline, Clarissa and Bill provide an overview of the tools and process used in assessing farms, as well as technical and financial assistance available to producers interested in becoming Water Quality Certified.

TTCP engineers Amanda Deans and Aaron Peter kick off a multi part construction inspection series. This session covers what to do at a pre-construction meeting, how to take notes during construction, how does a specification packet compliment the plans, and what are the main safety considerations on a construction site.