CTIC/EPA Ag Consultant Training
Stuttgart, AR August 2017
CTIC brought together farmers; researchers from USDA-Agricultural Research Service, University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University; and conservationists from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission for a deep dive into how crop consultants can help their clients benefit from conservation practices.
Discussions ranged from the agronomic and water-management benefits of conservation systems—including precision irrigation, tailwater management, reduced tillage and cover crops, among others—to cost-share programs that can have direct benefits to farmers' bottom lines.
We also visited the Dabbs Farm outside of Stuttgart for a close-up look at the family's reservoir and tailwater management system and the Arkansas Discovery Farm's water quality monitoring program.
Click here for full video coverage of each of the presentations in the two-day program.
Des Moines, IA March 2019
More than 60 crop consultants attended a CTIC training at the Iowa Agribusiness Showcase and Conference in Des Moines. With insight from the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC), the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA), Jason Gomes of North Iowa Agricultural Partners, 4R Plus and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, consultants earned continuing education units and explored how to help their farmer clients succeed with conservation practices.
Click here for an 11-minute summary video from the meeting, or click here for full video coverage of each presentation.
September 2016 - Training Workshop Overview - Springfield, IL
Number of Workshop Registrants:37
Number of Webinar Attendees: 29
This workshop provided CCAs and other ag consultants with the foundation to recognize opportunities to reduce their clients’ impact on water quality. The majority of the day was spent with three speakers—representing industry, agency, and academia—who lent their expertise to give a complete perspective on a set of edge of field practices. Attendees also learned about in-field nutrient management for improved water quality.
ADMC Summer Series Trainings
For the final technical training workshops, ADMC developed a TSP certification class that followed new NRCS guidance on their Conservation Activities that was expected to be released in the fall of 2021. The certification focus was on drainage water management Conservation Activity. Upon development of the TSP certification class, ADMC was to host at least one in-person training as well as an additional synchronous online module. The 3 final training workshops were held in 2022.
July 2022 - ADMC Drainage Water Management Certification - online sessions
Session 1: Drainage Design and Soils: Soil and water concepts & tools, fundamentals in drainage design, and design tools.
In session 1, participants were introduced to soil and water interactions and how soil properties impact water movement, availability, and crop health. Participants also learned how drainage systems are utilized to improve productivity and profitability. Finally, participants were introduced to how drainage systems are commonly designed and what tools are available to assist in the layout water management systems.
Session 2: DWM Design Introduction to Drainage Water Management Design
Session 2 introduced participants to the principles of drainage water management including conditions where the practice applies, yield benefits, and water quality impacts. Participants were walked through what is needed to design drainage water management systems, applicable NRCS Conservation Practice Standards, and also learned about water control structures commonly used in DWM systems.
Session 3: DWM Design, Field Zoning, retrofitting elevation plans, and economics
This session moved to more advanced drainage water management concepts including how to determine the drained area, control elevations, and the extent of the controlled zone. Participants also learned about economic considerations and requirements of the NRCS Drainage Implementation Activity 164.
August 2022 – ADMC Drainage Water Management Certification Course – online only
Session 1: Drainage Design and Soils: Soil and water concepts & tools, fundamentals in drainage design, and design tools.
Session 2: DWM Design Introduction to Drainage Water Management design.
Session 3: DWM Design Session 3: Field Zoning, retrofitting elevation plans, and economics.
Sessions 1 – 3 were led by Dr. Gary Sands who is a Professor and Extension Engineer at
the University of Minnesota.
September 2022 - ADMC and MSU Drainage Water Management and Design Certification
Course – September 13-14, 2022 – East Lansing, MI
This training workshop was presented in partnership with Michigan State University. Training was organized by ADMC and led by Sands Consulting with guest invited speaker Dr. Ehsan Ghane of Michigan State University.
Agenda - September 14, 2022
Session 1: Drainage Design and Soils: Soil and water concepts & tools, fundamentals in drainage design, and design tools.
Session 2: Conceptual DWM Design: Introduction to Drainage Water Management Design
Session 3: Hands on DWM Design: Field zoning, retrofitting elevation plans, and layout
Agenda – September 15, 2022
NRCS Design Installation Activity 164 Details, Becoming a TSP
Session 1: Drainage Design and Soils: Soil and water concepts & tools, fundamentals
in drainage design, and design tools
Session 1 introduced participants to soil and water interactions and how soil properties impact water movement, availability, and crop health. Participants then learned how drainage systems are utilized to improve productivity and profitability. Finally, participants were introduced to how drainage systems are commonly designed and what tools are available to assist in the layout water management systems.
Session 2: DWM Design Introduction to Drainage Water Management design
Session introduced participants to the principles of drainage water management including conditions where the practice applies, yield benefits, and water quality impacts. Participants were also walked through what is needed to design drainage water management systems, applicable NRCS Conservation Practice Standards, and learned about water control structures commonly used in DWM systems.
Session 3: (1.5 CEUs) DWM Design Session 3: Field Zoning, retrofitting elevation plans, and economics
Session 3 moved to more advanced drainage water management concepts including how to determine the drained area, control elevations, and the extent of the controlled zone. Participants also learned about economic considerations and requirements of the NRCS Drainage Implementation Activity 164.
Sessions 1 – 3 will be led by Dr. Gary Sands who is a Professor and Extension Engineer at the University of Minnesota.
Summer series summary:
The summer series trainings resulted in 186 registrations, with 108 people attending live. There were 84 attendees that completed the final exam for certification.
ADMC Learning Modules
In addition to the to the TSP certification classes, ADMC developed a series of learning modules that focus on engaging Certified Crop Advisors on the role that water management plays in crop production and nutrient movement. These modules were created in a format that was posted to the American Society of Agronomy’s online classroom. CCA’s are trusted advisors of farmers and the model of utilizing conservation agronomists to recruit farmers to install conservation drainage practices in Iowa has been successful. CCA’s can help drive demand for the practices that make it worthwhile for TSP’s to become certified. There currently is a lack of education opportunities readily available on conservation drainage practices to the agronomists. This series of learning modules will help keep CCA’s
accredited in soil and water management as well as sustainability.
CTIC/ADMC Ag Training – Links to Learning Modules 2022
