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Join us for a classroom primer followed by a hands on field session focused on identifying native plant species in working conservation landscapes. The classroom segment will build skills in diagnostic features (leaf and stem morphology, inflorescence types, growth forms), seasonal cues, and “look-alike” differentiation.

Join Karin Jokela, Xerces Society and Reva Ruehling, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist, for a half day field based training focused on identifying native plants and common weeds in a first year native vegetation planting. This training will emphasize early stage plant identification to help you better support landowners who are managing weeds during establishment. We will explore key ID features, discuss helpful resources and techniques, and review how site preparation influences successful establishment. At the end of the training, participants will work together to apply and test the skills learned throughout the morning.

Lawrence Svien, BWSR Training Conservationist, reviews use of the NRCS GIS Watershed Tools in the design of CPS 393 Filter Strips.  In addition, Lawrence also covers National Agricultural Technical Note 2, using RUSLE2 for the Design and Predicted Effectiveness of Vegetative Filter Strips (VFS) for Sediment.

Dr. Daniel Kaiser, UMN Extension, discusses soil sampling and using the results when making fertilizer recommendations for phosphorus and potassium. Dr. Kaiser also touches on micronutrient considerations in cropping systems.

Shannon Carpenter, NRCS Water Quality Specialist St. Paul reviews CPS 393 Filter Strip Practice Standard details, practice design, and Filter Strip Implementation requirements worksheet. This session also covers a brief review of Agronomy Technical Note #31 and how the Filter Strip Standard relates to the Note 31 and use of the Seed mix calculator.

Tech Talk Replay from August 31. Larry Gunderson, Travis Hirman, and Kevin Hauth from MDA review the nitrogen considerations for nutrient management planning. This session covers current impairments, loss pathways, ground water protection rules, nitrogen loss assessments, and practices to reduce movement.

Tech Talk Replay from August 24 at 1:00. Dr. Daniel Kaiser (UMN Extension) and Dorian Gatchel discuss fertilizer considerations in soil health systems.

Tech Talk Replay from August 24 at 9:00 am. During this presentation Lance Smith, NRCS Rangeland Specialists, walks through the steps of making a visual estimate of forage production and then clipping and weighing a representative sample to verify the visual estimation. The goal is to repeat this process to the extent that a person can make an accurate visual estimate of forage production without taking the time to clip and weigh a sample from every site.

Tech Talk Replay from August 24 at 9:00 am. NRCS State Soil Health Specialist Kristin Brennan hosts a farmer panel including Brady Wulf of Starbuck,  Ryan Hough of Barnesville, and David Miller of Red Lake to discuss equipment modifications they have made to facilitate the integration of a soil health system into their farming operations.

Tech Talk Replay from August 10, 2020. Liz Stahl, UMN Extension, reviews the latest research and information regarding the impacts of weed management decisions on the potential for successful establishment of cover crops, cover crop end uses, and the tradeoffs we can expect in our weed management program. Following the presentation is a facilitated discussion with crop advisors.