Tech Talks is a online training series organized by the Technical Training and Certification Program. Rotating speakers cover a wide variety of technical topics at 1:00 on the identified Mondays. Miss a session you were interested in? We record every presentations and make replays available in the Online Learning section of the TTCP website.
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A listing of the 2024 sessions and replay can be found on the 2024 Tech Talk page.
2025 Scheduled Sessions
| Date | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| January 13 | Ag Water Quality Program Update | This Tech Talk will highlight the New Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Assessment tool that was released this summer, as well other program updates and highlights. In this session we will:
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| January 27 | TTCP Onboarding (Repeat) | This training will provide newer employees with an orientation to the Technical Training and Certification Program. Participants will become familiar with the training resources that are available to them through TTCP. In addition, participants will start to develop their own personalized learning plan. Those who plan to attend should bring your job description to the training and ask around to find out the five most commonly used conservation practices in your work area. |
| February 3 | Social and Economic Considerations for Soil Health | During this session Samuel Porter, NRCS State Economist, will present a portion of the Soil Health and Sustainability course on economics in a virtual format. This Tech Talk will give perspective of factors that go in to a decision to adopt soil health practices and described common challenges to soil health adoption. Additionally, Sam will summarize effects of adopting soil health practices through partial budgets and case studies. |
| February 10 | Nutrient Management: Maximum Return To Nitrogen (MRTN) | Minnesota - along with Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio - uses the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) approach to corn N rate guidelines. This Tech Talk will help cover what is MRTN, and why is this system used, along with the pros and cons of this approach to nutrient management. Join us to discuss how economic data is merged with agronomic research to help producers find the right rate for increasing economic efficiency of every dollar of nitrogen invested into their operation. |
| Postponed - we hope to reschedule this session in the near future | RCPP Soil Health Practices | This session will help participants gain a better understanding of the NRCS process for preparing documentation as part of Conservation Planning and the use of JAA. An example Conservation Plan will be used to showcase planning considerations, planner discretion, and common mistakes made by conservation planners. This example will shine light on the roles and responsibilities of the conservation planner to use the three phases of JAA - inventory and evaluation (I&E) planning, design and development, and installation and certification - to ultimately get conservation on the ground. |
| March 3 | Livestock 101 | This tech talk will provide basic information for several species of livestock that may be raised on pasture. The tech talk will discuss the following topics:
This Tech Talk is designed for people with little or no experience with livestock. |
| March 10 | Nutrient Management: Nitrate in Groundwater | Margaret Wagner (MDA) will provide an update on the implementation of the Groundwater Protection Rule to minimize potential sources of nitrate pollution to the state's groundwater. Margaret will also highlight voluntary efforts such as partnerships with ag retailers as well as work with the UMN and SWCDs. |
| March 17 | Virtual Fence | Dr. Miranda Meehan will provide an overview on virtual fence and considerations when integrating it into a grazing system based on her team’s experience the last two years. She will also give an update on research being conducted using virtual fence to manage grazing on rangeland and annual forages in North Dakota. |
| March 24 | Nutrient Management: Nutrient Management Tool | The MPCA recently released its new online program to develop nutrient management plans. The Nutrient Management Tool (NMT) includes a GIS based mapping component as well as the ability to keep land application records. George Schwint, principal engineer for the MPCA feedlot program, will provide an overview and demo of the new tool. George will also highlight another new resource from the MPCA, the Nutrient Management Planning Map. This is a publicly available interactive map that displays the best available data for sensitive features across the state and provides BMPs and requirements for land application of manure in these areas. |
| April 14 | TTCP Onboarding (Repeat) | This training will provide newer employees with an orientation to the Technical Training and Certification Program. Participants will become familiar with the training resources that are available to them through TTCP. In addition, participants will start to develop their own personalized learning plan. Those who plan to attend should bring your job description to the training and ask around to find out the five most commonly used conservation practices in your work area. |
| April 28 | Nutrient Management: Fertilizer Recommendations | What goes into creating a fertilizer recommendation? Dr. Daniel Kaiser will discuss the approach the University of Minnesota takes in creating fertilizer recommendations along with covering similarities and differences with surrounding states. The talk will cover how recommendations are made for each crop, why they are different in different regions, why soil testing is important, and how the research is conducted. There will also be information on up and coming changes to recommendations. |
| May 5 | Brush Management | This precursor to Brush Management field day trainings will highlight the importance of creating desired plant communities using ecological site descriptions to restore native plant communities, protect soils, improve water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, improve forage accessibility for livestock, and much more! Join Jeff Duchene, State Grazing Specialist (NRCS), Callie Bertsch, State Forester (NRCS), as they discuss the Conservation Practice Standard Brush Management (314) which includes general criteria, specifications, operation and maintenance, and scenarios where this is used including chemical, mechanical, fire, and biological controls. We’ll also take a look at tools needed to determine density of infestation and chemical application (WIN-PST). Lastly, we’ll discuss implementation requirements and how they apply to different situations you might encounter. |
| May 12 | Nutrient Management: 4R Nutrient Stewardship Principles and the Value of Soil Sampling | Interested in reinforcing your knowledge of nutrient management? Join this session for a discussion on the 4R principles of nutrient stewardship and the value of soil sampling. Ryan Buetow, State Agronomist (NRCS), will lead discussion on the 4Rs with John Breker, Soil Scientist (AGVISE), and John Jones, University of Illinois Assistant Professor of Agronomy & Soil Fertility Extension Specialist (University of Illinois). |
| July 14 | Seeding Vendor Panel | Description coming soon! |
If you would like to suggest a topic, please contact us.