November 2019
Support for Your Training Plan
Don't miss out on these great resources for staying organized and reducing confusion with conservation planning requirements!
A recent webinar hosted by NRCS covers creating a Partner Development Plan (the partner’s version of an IDP) in AgLearn; including adding individual courses and uploading completion certificates for OJT, webinars, and in-person trainings. And maybe most importantly, it covers how to add an entire planner certification level (and all its associated courses) at one time.
Note: You'll need to log in to AgLearn to access this webinar, and download the free Adobe Connect app when prompted, if you don't already have it. If you have trouble with the link, you may also search for course BC-EDS-000009 from the 'Find Learning' tab.
If you prefer a static version, check out this pdf guide for NRCS Partners, which also covers adding a Conservation Planner Program (curricula) to your AgLearn profile, loading all the required courses in one step.
The CTD has also created a comprehensive resource for you for the CTD Database. Complete with step-by-step directions and screenshots, this guide is everything you need to take full advantage of the tracking and storage capacity available in the CTD Database. The CTD Database is a safe, convenient place to upload course completion documents and update your personnel profile.
And don't forget the Training Plan Template, which lists all the required courses for both CTD and NRCS planner designations of all levels and includes a yearly training plan template!
Apply now!
CTD Conservation Planner Applications are now being accepted for Riparian, Farm, and Dairy planners.
The CTD, in response to District and partner agency demand, has created the opportunity for District technical staff to achieve planner certification in the disciplines of Riparian, Farm, and Dairy Planning. Our certification program has been vetted with partners and experts to ensure it provide both verification of your skills and a pathway to help you advance. Whether you a new or veteran planner, you are encouraged to start your certification process today.
Even if you are still working on completing your training, please get yourself enrolled at the Level 1 certification for your discipline. This way you can start earning your Continuing Education Units and be a part of the planning community hubs, a resource for accessing and sharing planning tools and information. You can always work up from there!
For more information, and to start your application process today, go to: www.wactd.org/certification. The first round of applications are due by March 6, 2020 for special acknowledgement at the WADE 2020 conference.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”
—Jane Goodall
Larry Brewer Retired (Again!)
I have retired yet again on October 31. I began my full time working career in the US Coast Guard as a Storekeeper located in New Orleans, LA; Iwo Jima, Japan; St Louis, MO; and North Bend, Oregon for a total of 8 years. Following my military time, I worked 29 ½ years in the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Missouri, Oregon, and California. I was then privileged to work full time as a Washington State Conservation Commission Regional Manager for 7 1/2 years in the eastern part of the state and have now ended 5 years as a part time employee of the Commission.
The thing that I most enjoyed in all of my careers was helping people. That was truly my passion. I have really appreciated the opportunity to assist all of you, my fellow conservationists; including the support staff, supervisors, Commissioners, and many others with your efforts to help landowners to manage their resources. I wish you all well and continued success. – Larry Brewer
Upcoming Events
Pollinator Conservation in Agricultural Landscapes Workshop
WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center Puyallup , WA
November 19th, 2019 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM PST
This full day workshop will focus on concepts around protecting and enhancing populations of pollinators, especially bees, in agricultural landscapes. The course will provide an overview of bee natural history and farm practices that support pollinators, such as protecting and creating habitat, modified horticultural practices, and advice on how to manage pests while protecting pollinators.
Registrants will receive the Xerces Society's Pollinator Conservation Toolkit which includes Xerces' book, Attracting Native Pollinators, as well as habitat management guidelines and relevant USDA-NRCS and extension publications.
SAVE THE DATE!
Spokane Ag Expo - Feb 2020
Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum is a 3 day event that takes place every February in Spokane, WA, and brings together agriculture professionals from across the Northwest. More info.
Nutrient Management and Food Safety -- Oct 2020
The Livestock Nutrient Management Program at WSU is currently planning a regional conference on nutrient management and food safety for October 2020. The planning committee is programming the conference information for ag professionals; specifically for conservation districts, NRCS, agency, allied ag industry, and those who advise farmers, growers and producers. Watch this space for more information to come!
WSCC Cultural Resources Contact Change
Beginning in November, the new WSCC Cultural Resource contact person will be Jean Fike. Jean can be reached by phone at 360-764-0533 or by email at: JFike@scc.wa.gov
Is Your District Doing Its Cultural Resource Best?
Here are a few things that your district might consider doing to better help your landowners to protect cultural resources and to comply with Washington’s RCW 27.53 which, among other things, says it is unlawful for anyone to knowingly disturb a cultural resource.
Keep current with cultural resource training for conservation planners through online, local, or statewide training.
Keep an open dialogue with local tribes about cultural resources to become aware of tribal concerns.
Ask local historic or archaeological organizations and/or tribes for information about cultural resources in the district for sharing, as appropriate, with landowners.
Ensure that cultural resources are discussed with each landowner prior to starting any work; explaining what cultural resources are, their importance, and the requirements of the RCW.
Have a District Unanticipated Discovery Plan (UDP) and provide a copy to each landowner doing a practice, so they know what to do if they discover a cultural resource.
Remember: Protecting Cultural Resources is everyone’s business! Districts, staff, and landowners all work together to protect our resources.
Western Cover Crops Council (WCCC) Continues Growing
What is the Western Cover Crop Council?
In summer 2018, the country’s newest cover crop council – the Western Cover Crop Council (WCCC) – was formed. The WCCC was born from a need for farmers and agricultural professionals to have more information on cover crop research and use in the Western Region. Similar to the established Midwest, Southern, and Northeast Cover Crop Councils, the WCCC aims to significantly increase the use of cover crops in western agricultural systems. To achieve this goal, the WCCC needs information on regional rates of cover crop adoption and barriers to adoption. The WCCC also needs to build a strategic network of agricultural professionals conducting cover crop outreach/research and farmers using cover crops.
How to get involved
If you would like to help develop the WCCC, there are upcoming Planning Committee meetings (details below) and standing committees are looking for participants. Committee members are all volunteers, and recruitment continues as the goal is to include representation from all states and territories within the Western Region.
You can also sign up for their list serve! WCCC will send out more information and resources about cover crops, and WCCC projects and events as they develop. Subscribe (or unsubscribe) at this link: https://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/wccc
If you would like to send an email about cover crops to the listserve, please send it to: wccc@lists.oregonstate.edu.
WCCC Committees
The WCCC Planning Committee meets on the last Monday of every month from 3:30-5:00pm Mountain Time.
Grants & Fundraising Committee formed in September 2018
Bylaws Committee formed in May 2019, Bylaws were adopted in June
Outreach Committee formed in July 2019, still needs to have 1st meeting
Board Development Committee formed in August 2019
Survey Development Committee being formed
2020 SARE Professional Development Program RFP announced
The SARE Professional Development Program (PDP) is now accepting mini-grant proposals for two types of grants: 1) attending an event for professional development that supports work related to agricultural sustainability, and 2) hosting an event for an agricultural professional audience that supports work related to agricultural sustainability.
Please see the SARE PDP Program page for more information and proposal instructions. Proposals will be screened on a rolling basis, and applicants are asked to submit proposals well ahead of event dates. Proposals will be accepted until funds are exhausted.
And In Other News...
by Rachel Fritts, for Science News
by University of Leeds, from Phys.org
by Malcolm Terence, for North Coast Journal
If you have an idea for the newsletter, a project or photo you'd like featured, or just want to say hello, email communications@wactd.org. We'd love to hear from you!