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
Basics of Plant Identification for Conservation Planning Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Plant ID Online Course

This course introduces you to plant identification and its role in the conservation planning process. You will learn basics of plant…

NRCS

Using WIN-PST for Conservation Planning Core Competency (Matrix) 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…

AgLearn

03 Archaeological Sites and High Probability Locations Cultural Resources Online Course

(Time: 26 mins, 54 secs). This online course will help you better understand what types of locations have  moderate-to-high…

NRCS

Prescribed Grazing Practice Specific Online Course

Prescribed grazing is the foundational NRCS conservation practice that is applied on all lands that are grazed in conjunction with a wide array of…

NRCS

Using Planning Criteria in Conservation Planning Core Competency (Matrix) 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…

AgLearn

04 Architectural Properties and Farmstead Contexts Cultural Resources Online Course

(Time: 19 mins, 29 secs). This online course will help you understand direct and indirect effects to cultural resources, especially those…

NRCS

Nitrogen Smart Review Nutrient Management Practice Specific Online Course

Review materials for the interactive training program for producers that presents the fundamentals for maximizing economic return on nitrogen…

U of M

Using Basic Soil Survey Information in Conservation Planning Core Competency (Matrix) 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…

AgLearn

05 Through the Generation Identifying and Protecting Traditional Cultural Properties Cultural Resources Online Course

(Time: 19 mins, 56 secs) This online training video will help you identify and protect Traditional Cultural Properties.

NRCS

Stream Visual Assessment Protocol 2 (SVAP 2) Core Competency (Matrix) Conservation Planning Online Course

Stream Visual Assessment Protocol 2 (SVAP2) introduces you to the process of visually assessing streams on working land. In this course, you’ll…

AgLearn

06 Cultural Resources Review Procedures Cultural Resources Online Course

(Time: 30 minutes, 41 seconds).  This online video covers the basics of cultural resources (traces of human activity) and how to conduct a…

NRCS

Groundwater Basics for Resource Managers Water Quality Basics Online Course

Groundwater Basics is an online course for independent learning. You will learn fundamentals of groundwater science and principles for…

UMN

Soil Erosion 101 Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Soil Erosion Prediction Models Online Course

This training module focuses on the types of erosion and the resource concerns associated with erosion. It orients participants to the types and…

TTCP

07 Identifying Cultural Resources in the Field Cultural Resources Online Course

(Time: 55 mins, 16 seconds). This online training course will help you understand what types of cultural resources may be present in order to help…

NRCS

08 Avoiding Cultural Resources Cultural Resources Online Course

(Time: 15 mins, 37 secs) This online training tool will cover avoidance procedures and the preferred MN NRCS methods for treating adverse…

NRCS

Certificate in Ecological Restoration Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Native Vegetation, Habitats and Pollinators Online Course

(Time: 150 hours) The Ecological Restoration certificate is a 150-hour program comprising five required courses. The certificate…

University of Minnesota

09 LiDAR for Identification of Cultural Resources Cultural Resources Online Course

(Time: 17 mins, 17 secs) This online training will cover the benefits and challenges with using LiDar to identify cultural resources.

NRCS

MinnFARM Training Livestock Online Course

MinnFARM is a computer model, built in Excel, used to estimate runoff potential from open feedlots. It provides a compliance indicator (a simple "…

UMN Extension

10 Cultural Resources GIS Data Cultural Resources Online Course

(Time: 17 mins, 20 secs) This online training course will help you identify cultural resources in the field.

NRCS

Herbaceous Vegetation Practices Vegetation Vegetation – Species, Seeding and Seed Mixes Online Course

(Time: 32:00) This training is an introduction to NRCS practice standards that establish herbaceous vegetation to treat resource concerns.…

BWSR

11 Consulting and Cultural Resources Cultural Resources Online Course

(Time: 17 mins, 34 secs) This online training course will help you understand how to consult with outside parties about cultural resources.

NRCS

12 Identifying and Protecting Human Burial Sites Cultural Resources Online Course

(Time: 21 min, 26 secs) This online training course will help you identify and protect human burial sites.

NRCS

Cover Crop Strategies Podcasts Practice Specific Podcast

Cover Crop Strategies offers a series of Podcasts related to Cover Crops and Soil Health.  Topics include Cover Crop Management Tips,…

Cover Crop Strategies

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…

UMN Extension

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

This website provides information on insects and diseases affecting sugarbeets.  

U of M Extension

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…

UMN Extension

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

This website provides information on weed identification, herbicides and herbicide resistance management.

U of M Extension

Forest Management Guidelines Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Forestry Basics and Practices Reference Material

This document outlines the best management practices to be used to protect natural resources on all forest land in Minnesota.

Minnesota Forest Resources Council

Small Grains Crops Ag & Agronomy Reference Material

This website provides information on crop and variety selection, growing, harvest and storage, planting and pest management for small grains in…

U of M Extension

Sugarbeets Crops Ag & Agronomy Reference Material

This website provides information on  growing sugarbeets and pest management for sugarbeets Minnesota.

U of M Extension

Forages Crops Ag & Agronomy Reference Material

This website provides information on variety selection, growing, harvest and storage, planting and pest management for forages in Minnesota.

U of M Extension

Forest Pests and Disease Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Pest Management Reference Material

This Minnesota DNR website has links to forest pests and disease descriptions, identification and management options. 

MN DNR

EFH2 Software Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Hydrology Reference Material

Website to download NRCS Technical Tools.

The EFH-2 software implements the procedures described in the NEH 650 - Engineering…

NRCS

Field Indicators of Hydric Soil Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Wetland ID & Ecology Basics Reference Material

This is a powerpoint presentation developed with the Wetland Science Institute, containing 65 slides covering the general concepts used for…

NRCS

Grazing Systems Planning Guide Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Managed Grazing Systems Reference Material

(Time: will vary)  This guide discusses the components of a grazing system by taking you through the grazing management planning process…

University of Minnesota

MN EFH2 supporting files Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Hydrology Reference Material

Link to NRCS MN Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics page to find and download Minnesota specific files for the EFH2 software.

(Online…

NRCS

Hydric Soil Overview Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Wetland ID & Ecology Basics Reference Material

This is a powerpoint presentation developed by Michael Whited of the NRCS Wetland Science Institute, containing 18 slides explaining the…

NRCS

Forage Management Resources Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Managed Grazing Systems Reference Material

(Time: will vary) This website provides research and other resources related to forage selection, planting, pest management, harvest and…

University of Minnesota, Extension

Redoximorphic feature Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Wetland ID & Ecology Basics Reference Material

This is a powerpoint presentation developed by Michael Whited of the NRCS Wetland Science Institute, containing 33 slides. The objectives of…

NRCS

Forest Pests and Diseases Advanced Tech Skills (Matrix) Forest Ecology and Management Reference Material

This University of Minnesota website has links to forest pests and disease descriptions, identification and management options.

UMN

Using Soil Taxonomy to Identify Hydric Soils Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Wetland ID & Ecology Basics Reference Material

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

NRCS

CORE 4 Pest Management Technical References and Training Materials Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Pest Management Reference Material

(Time: will vary)  Basic overview of pest management principles.  Materials concentrate on assessing environmental risks of pest…

NRCS

CORE 4 Pest Management Technical References and Training Materials Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Ag & Agronomy Reference Material

Basic overview of pest management principles.  Materials concentrate on assessing environmental risks of pest management alternatives.

NRCS, June 1999

University of Minnesota Extension: Beef Extension Livestock Ag & Agronomy Reference Material

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

U of M Extension

Breeds of Livestock Livestock Ag & Agronomy Reference Material

This site provides a comprehensive inventory of the various domestic breeds of livestock including cattle, goats, horses, sheep, swine, poultry…

Oklahoma State University, Department of Animal Science

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

Proficiency Exam - Conservation Economics Conservation Planning Reference Material

This proficiency exam verifies competency to satisfy the conservation planner designation requirement of the Economics of Conservation Planning…

TTCP

Body Condition Scoring Beef Cows Livestock Ag & Agronomy Reference Material

This document provides guidance on how to determine a body condition score (BCS) for beef cows.  Body condition scores are excellent…

Virginia Cooperative Extension

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)…

NRCS

Census of Agriculture Basic Tech Skills (Matrix) Ag & Agronomy Reference Material

County specific data (examples include acres and sales by crop type, number and sales by livestock type and types of operators and operations) can…

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)