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
Basic Cover Crop Training - Webinar #3 Webinar

2023 Webinar Replay - Session 3 covers seed mix design, the seed calculator, calculating PLS and bulk seed as well as MN seed tag law.

Basic Cover Crop Training - Webinar #4 Webinar

2023 Webinar replay - Session 4 covers the topics of cover crop seeding and termination methods as well as economics of cover crops.

Basic Grassed Waterway - Video 1 Webinar

26 mins, 47 secs 

This is a 3 part video from a 2018 webinar covering the practice standard contents and design concepts for…

Basic Grassed Waterway - Video 2 Webinar

30 mins, 47 secs

This is a 3 part video from a 2018 webinar covering the practice standard contents and design concepts for field…

Basic Grassed Waterway - Video 3 Webinar

13 mins, 57 secs

This is a 3 part video from a 2018 webinar covering the practice standard contents and design concepts for…

Basic Soils Training Module 1: Soil Properties and Interpretations Video

This module provides an introduction to soil properties and interpretations. Jennifer Smith, WI NRCS State Soil Scientist, starts the presentation…

Basic Soils Training Module 2: Soil Survey Map Unit Design Video

This module provides an overview of soil survey map units. Jeremy Ziegler, SE Wisconsin NRCS Area Resource Soil Scientist, provides an…

Basic Soils Training Module 3: Web Soil Survey and other Resources for Accessing Soils Data Video

This module provides a demonstration of the capabilities of Web Soil Survey and other tools for accessing soil survey data. Andrew Paolucci, NRCS…

Basic Soils Training Module 4: Soils in Conservation Planning Video

This module provides examples of how to use soils data in the conservation planning process. The presentation starts with Josh Odekirk, SE Area…

Basic WASCOB Section I Video

The Basic WASCOB training series is a four-part video based on the original Basic WASCOB webinar presented in April from the Technical Training…

Basic WASCOB Section II Video

(Time: 12:02) Explains the three types of cross sections and how they each fit into the landscape and different farming operations.

Basic WASCOB Section III Video

(Time: 14:06) Focuses on the underground outlet supporting practice and ties the outlet design into the basin design. Stage storage is explained…

Basic WASCOB Section IV Video

(Time: 10:02) Video pulls in some linked "handouts" (see links below) to prepare staff for discussions with landowners during the initial parts of…

Basics of Plant Identification for Conservation Planning Online Course

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

Beating the Weeds Without Herbicides: Soil-Friendly Organic Weed Management Webinar

Join us for this webinar during which we will discuss weed management in organic agriculture and highlight soil friendly approaches to help…

Best Management Practices for Drill- Interseeding Cover Crops into Corn Webinar

Participants will learn how management practices and environmental conditions impact the performance of cover crops that are drill-interseeded…

Best Practices for Pollinators Webinar

Best Practices for Pollinators Summit is an annual educational summit created by Pollinator Friendly Alliance which presents leaders in ecology,…

Other Pollinators
Biocontrol for Ecological Restoration in Minnesota: Looking Back and Looking Forward Webinar

(Time: 57:56) Webinar 3 of 7 from U of M's Ecological Restoration Training Center; Biocontrol has proven to be an effective tool for the…

Biological Nutrient Management: Best Organic Practices for Soil Fertility and Resource Stewardship Webinar

Join us for this webinar during which we will discuss biological nutrient management in organic agriculture using a resource-conserving approach…

Biomimicry: Emulating Nature & Improving Soil Function (Soil Regen Summit 2021) Video

During Soil Regen Summit 2021: Hope for the Future, Ray Archuleta explained that regenerative cropping and grazing systems that emulate nature’s…

Bird Friendly Maple: A sweet approach to bird conservation Webinar

The National Audubon Society's "Bird friendly Maple Program" takes a market-based approach to bird conservation by publicly recognizing maple…

Blowing Snow Control Tools 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…

Body Condition Scoring Beef Cows Reference Material

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

Breeds of Livestock Reference Material

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

Bringing Your Tests to Life, Part 1 Video

Nicole Masters of Integrity Soils discusses how to measure and determine what is being accomplished through regenerative farming practices.

Bringing Your Tests to Life, Part 2 Video

Ryan Dennhardt of Ward Laboratories hosts a discussion for part 2 of "Bringing Your Tests to Life"

Brome Conversion and Long-Term Grassland Management Video

An overview of successful long-term brome conversion methods based on field results. Grassland management for long-term success. Considerations to…

Building Better Native Seed Mixes 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…

Building your Soil Structure Video

(Time: 19:45)  Hal Weiser, USDA, discusses how to improve soil structure and soil biology to maximize crop production.

Calcium and Magnesium Management  Webinar

(Time: 00:10:20) Information is presented on calcium and magnesium as essential nutrients; calcium and magnesium soil testing; and, calcium…

Can We Quantify Soil Biological Activity Without a Lab? Webinar

Part of the Soil Health Nexus Digital Cafe Series. Join Dr. Amy Schmidt and Karla Melgar from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to learn how to…

Cattle Grazing on Cover Crops in Faribault County, MN Video

(Time: 10 mins, 45 secs) Producer Andy Linder discusses the methods and benefits of grazing steers on Cover Crops.

Census of Agriculture 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…

Challenges and Opportunities in Organic Urban Agriculture Webinar

Join this webinar to learn about production and marketing challenges and opportunities for farming organically in urban environments. Organic…

Climate Adaptation for Forest-Dependent Wildlife Webinar Series Webinar

This 12-part monthly webinar series will explore forest ecosystems and their composition and structure under a changing climate, and the influence…

Climate Change and Adaptive Management for Agriculture Video

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

Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation of Forest Wildlife 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…

Communicating Conservation to Landowners Webinar

What makes a natural resource and water professional a great communicator? What can we learn from researchers and fellow practitioners to enhance…

Compliance Matters: NEPA and "Environmental Evaluation" at NRCS Webinar

Join us as we discuss why environmental compliance matters and learn how it works at NRCS including introduction to laws and legal basics,…

Composting - Animal Mortality Webinar

The webinar will provide viewers with an understanding of the principles of successful composting of animal mortality in routine and emergency…

Concrete Washout and Dewatering Video

This video from MECA provides tips and instructions for proper handling and disposal of excess concrete.

Connecting the Dots from Soil to Human Health Webinar

Join to explore linkages between soil, environmental, and human health. How does soil influence human health? This presentation will explore…

Conservation Applications of LiDAR Training Program Online Course

GIS LiDAR workshops

Conservation Planning Course Webinar #2:  Additional Considerations in the Planning Process Webinar

This webinar covers Phase II, Steps 8 and 9 of the Conservation Planning Process, Cultural Social and Economic Considerations, Resource Concerns…

Conservation Tree/Shrub Groups: A Tool for Matching Woody Plants to Soils Webinar

This webinar provides guidance on how to develop and use Conservation Tree/Shrub Groups (CTSG) to match woody plants to soils. (Time: 00:39)…

Conserving Pollinators While Addressing Other Resource Concerns Webinar

(Time: 01:30)  This webinar discusses planning and implementing conservation measures to address multiple resource concerns, including…

Continuous Living Cover 101 Online Course

Continuous Living Cover 101, available from Green Lands Blue Waters, is a self paced, online course for agricultural, conservation, and technical…

CORE 4 Pest Management Technical References and Training Materials Reference Material

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

Core NRCS Conservation Practices for Enhancing Soil Health Webinar

(Time: 1:10) This webinar focuses on how several core NRCS conservation practices can be used by farmers to improve soil health, linking them…

Corn growth and development staging systems (Corn, part 2/3) Video

(Time 41:01) Dr. Joe Lauer's presentation about "Corn Growth, Development, and Physiology". This part (2 of 3) focuses on systems used to…