Current Newsletter - November 2018

Training Calendar

Please visit our website for more training opportunities: http://www.wactd.org/training.

NRCS Technical Service Provider Workshop

November 14th & 15th, 2018

8:00 AM-5:30 PM

Holiday Inn Express and Suites

4525 Convention Place, Pasco, WA

HELP YOUR CLIENTS

Becoming a TSP can leverage resources to help your existing clients and expand your network for conservation projects. This two-day workshop will provide an overview of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and assist participants through the TSP application process. Note: This workshop does not provide the technical training needed to be a TSP. It is intended to help those who already have the technical knowledge through the TSP registration process.

Make sure to request your eAuthentication 'Level 2' account at www.eauth.usda.gov prior to attending so we can help you build your TSP profile.

To reserve your seat please register at: https://wanrcs.wufoo.com/forms/nrcs-technical-service-provider-tsp-workshop/

For more information, please contact Tracy Hanger at 509-323-2974.

Agenda

Day 1: “TSP in a Day!”

8am Welcome and Introductions

8:15 TSP Orientation/ Tech Reg Overview

10:15 Conservation Planning

12:15 Lunch

1:15 Resource Concerns & Assessment Tools

2:15 Questions and Answers

2:45 Building your TSP Profile (optional)

5:00 Wrap Up/Next Steps/Training Certification

5:30 Adjourn

Day 2: Criteria and Specifications for Individual Disciplines (Break Out Sessions)

Topics:

Forestry

Nutrient Management Plans

Grazing Management Plans

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans

Supporting Transition to Organic

Fish & Wildlife

Integrated Pest Management

Pollinator

Engineering: Animal Feeding Operations - Waste Management Systems, Roofs and Covers, Stock Water

Engineering: Irrigation Systems

Additional Considerations for CDs:

Conservation Districts (CD) can be registered as Technical Service Providers (TSP) through the NRCS Technical Service Provide Program (TSPP). Criteria that must be met before CDs can become registered through the TSPP:

CDs serving as a TSP for the TSPP only:

• CDs cannot be co-located with an NRCS Service Center.

• Background investigation is not required.

• E-Auth and AgLearn access is provided for TSP training purposes.

• Toolkit access is not allowed.

CDs providing technical assistance through the WSCC-NRCS Cooperative Agreement and serving as a TSP for the TSPP:

• CDs cannot be co-located with an NRCS Service Center.

• Background investigation is required.

• E-Auth and AgLearn access is provided for TSP training purposes.

• Toolkit access is not allowed.


Getting to Know You: District Highlight

District Name: Benton Conservation District

District Size: 1,177 square miles (Benton County, except Hanford Nuclear Reservation)

District Population: 198,171 (according to US Census Bureau 2017 estimate)

Number of Employees: 2 full-time, 2 part-time

Main Programs:

Irrigation Management

Heritage Garden (native plants & xeriscape)

Ground & Surface Water Quality

Voluntary Stewardship

Education

Salmon in the Classroom

Shoreline Erosion


Key Partners:

Franklin Conservation District

S. Yakima Conservation District

NRCS

Native Plant Society

Yakama Nation Fisheries

US Geological Survey

Richland Rod & Gun Club

WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife


Project/Program Most Proud of: Most proud of reaching thousands of students each year, teaching that modern resource management allows us to enjoy multiple simultaneous benefits from resources such as rivers that provide irrigation water, hydropower generation, salmon habitat, and recreation. A natural resource professional working in our county remembers participating in BCD's conservation education program as an elementary student and he valued the experience so much that he now volunteers his time to teach in the program.


Fun Facts: BCD board members and staff have a combined 266 years of professional natural resource management experience.


Share Your Story!

Do you have a recently completed project that you'd like to share? A special program at your district? Awesome photos from recent projects, trainings, or events?

The CTD would love to feature your item in our monthly newsletter! Send information and photos to communications@wactd.org.


University of Minnesota - 2019 Waste to Worth Conference

Waste to Worth 2019 April 22–26, 2019 | Graduate Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN

Call for Presentation Proposals

Deadline: November 15, 2018

Waste to Worth brings together the nation’s best science on animal agriculture and the environment with:

  • Innovative outreach

  • Opportunities to meet and network with outstanding people

  • Mix with multidisciplinary specialists in a collaborative atmosphere

We are accepting submissions for oral and poster presentations, as well as panel discussions and workshops. Submissions will be reviewed for quality and fit with the conference goals, and time availability in the program.

Graduate and Undergraduate Students Submit a proposal for a poster of original or innovative research, extension/outreach, or educational programs to be considered for the Ron Sheffield Memorial Student Poster Competition.

  • First Place Award – $500

  • Second Place Award – $250

  • Third Place Award – $100

Click here for more information!


AgLearn Update & Reminder

If you haven't already, make sure to login and check out the new and improved AgLearn site.

Remember that regular logins are the best way to prevent access issues with your AgLearn account -- set a reminder on your calendar to login at least once every 20 days!

Training Experiences

Curious about attending the NRCS Conservation Planning Boot Camp in Nebraska? Snohomish CD Resource Planner Michael Hipp attended a recent session and shared his experience:

"The experience and learning I received going through the NRCS Conservation Boot Camp was beyond expectations. So much focus was put on in field learning, hands on evaluation of resource concerns, and direct involvement with the producer (or cooperator, as we are used to saying) that it is hard to imagine how the planning process could be performed with any accuracy and professionalism without this training. I can honestly say it was, professionally, a game changer for me and I cannot thank enough those from my District, the CTD, and the NACD for their support and encouragement to be involved in such a rewarding and valuable event. I encourage any resource planner to take advantage of the opportunity to attend if it is available to you. What you learn and experience will be invaluable to your career and life as a conservation planner."

And from the 2018 NRCS Training Course: Working Effectively With American Indians held in Kingston, WA in August:

"I attended the training this past August and found it very informative and learned quite a bit about Native American customs, laws, and policy. This training was put on by local tribal representatives and NRCS employees from across the country as well. The class gave me a much better understanding of how Native Americans were treated by the US government in the past and why there is so much distrust between the two governments to this day. I also learned that working with Native Americans takes time and the decisions that are made by them are done thoughtfully and thoroughly. Patience is key. With first impressions, they would much rather hear about how you and your family are doing rather than how many degrees or titles you have."

-Eric Schuh

Have you have a recently attended a training that you felt was especially helpful and you'd like to share your experience with your fellow CD staff? Send your recommendation to communications@wactd.org to be highlighted in the next newsletter!

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