TTCP

The 2026 Minnesota Agroforestry Institute is a two and a half day training that includes classroom workshops and on farm visits. It will provide all participants with the opportunity to integrate the concepts learned into a practical farm plan. Learn more about the five Agroforestry practices that benefit Minnesota landowners, windbreaks, silvopasture, alley cropping, riparian forest buffers and forest farming. This training is for SWCD, NRCS and conservation professionals but the public is welcome to attend.

Do you have questions regarding grazing management and other conservation practices that facilitate grazing management? Now is your chance to ask your questions! Jeff Duchene, State Grazing Specialist, along with other grazing specialists in Minnesota will lead a virtual office hour to answer any questions you have about grazing management techniques, planning grazing management, planning and technical specifications of conservation practices used to facilitate grazing management or any other questions you may have related to grazing.

This training is designed to provide field employees engaged in conservation planning and others with an overall understanding of soil health and sustainability principles to guide them with recommendations for land management.

Jeff Duchene, State Grazing Lands Specialist (NRCS), and Jace Stallman, Rangeland Management Specialist (NRCS), discusses managing pastures during drought conditions, managing excessively wet weather, and managing sacrificial areas.

Jeff Duchene, State Grazing Lands Specialist (NRCS), reviews the 528 Grazing Management practice updates for 2026:

Most large scale native habitat plantings are created with seed mixes. Plant diversity is a requirement for pollinators, other wildlife, and the foundation of ecological resilience, but it can be a complicated and consequential challenge to select the best mix for any given site. Building high quality native seed mixes that serve multiple species, replicate natural plant associations, establish readily, conform to certain conservation practice standards, and fit within budget constraints requires training and experience.

Soils form the fabric of conservation planning and understanding the soil survey is foundational to evaluating resource concerns. This two day course will provide an overview of the soil survey program, methods, soil maps, Web Soil Survey, interpretive information, and other soil resources that support technical staff with the conservation planning process. Soil genesis, properties, and soil landscape relationships will all be outlined.

Join us for Basic Cover Crop 2026, designed to provide essential knowledge and practical tools for successfully integrating cover crops into Midwestern cropping systems. This webinar and in person training covers everything from selecting the right cover crops to understanding termination methods, enhancing soil health, and supporting sustainable farming practices. Participants will gain hands on experience with tools like the Midwest Cover Crop Council (MCCC) Cover Crop Selection Tool and NRCS Seed Rate Calculator.