Training Events
The CTD is working with NRCS, CDs, and other partners to bring you the training opportunities that you need to succeed. If there is a training subject that you would like to see, or have a training related question, contact: training@wactd.org
Working toward Planner Certification? Need specific NRCS training?
Upcoming Webinars and Training
The STAR Tool: Simplify and Streamline Conservation Assistance and Financial Incentives
Presented by: Lauren Quackenbush, WSDA Economic Development Coordinator
This talk is tailored for Washington conservation district (CD) staff and will introduce the STAR Tool, a new program of the Washington Soil Health Initiative. The STAR tool takes a multifaceted approach to identify opportunities for both conservation and funding in a producer’s farm plan. Come learn from STAR Program Manager Lauren Quackenbush about how the tool amplifies the work of CDs, can be integrated into existing CD programs, and how to get involved. STAR is open for grower enrollment in November 2024, and we look forward to hearing your feedback, questions, and ideas prior to its launch.
Lauren manages STAR as well as other projects focused on increasing the profitability of farming and conservation agriculture. She has 15 years of experience in production farming, in both field operations and management, and understands firsthand the environmental and economic realities facing producers.
Priorities, Challenges, and Opportunities for Climate-Smart Agriculture in Washington
How can Washington optimize climate-smart opportunities for agriculture? Join the Washington State Conservation Commission, Washington State University, and KR Creative Strategies on October 24th to learn about the contribution that organic and climate smart agriculture makes toward Washington's climate response goals. We'll share project results to date, and work in development on the themes of current priorities, challenges, available resources, and suggestions on future resources to help support climate-smart agriculture in Washington.
Questions? Please contact Karen Hills, Sustainable Farms and Fields Program Manager, at khills@scc.wa.gov
Going to miss a webinar? Don't worry, they are all recorded and posted in the CTD Training Library
NRCS Training Events
Upcoming NRCS Training events
Please contact Jan at training@wactd.org for registration information, and be sure to request all NRCS courses through the Training Needs Inventory!
Recordings from virtual NRCS training events:
Environmental Permitting on Working Lands - held April 2021
Cultural Resources - held May 2021
Training Scholarships
Need training, but don't have financial support to attend? The CTD offers scholarships to support your learning!
The CTD is offering a limited number of $500 training scholarships to support those looking to complete on-line or in-person training for professional development by May 31, 2025. Please fill out the following application to be considered. You will be notified within 2 weeks of submitting your request.
You can request multiple trainings or training blocks throughout the year.
Note: This scholarship CANNOT be used for the WADE conference (they will have a unique scholarship opportunity). You must complete the requested training by May 31, 2025. This scholarship supports time and registration cost only (no per diem or indirect).
Partner Training Resources
Partner Training Resources
Organic Farming Research Foundation - FREE Soil Health and Organic Farming Webinar series. Topics include building organic matter, cover crops, water management and water quality, nutrient management, and soil health.
WSU Forest Stewardship Webinars - We offer periodic live webinars on various forest stewardship topics. The webinars are free, but pre-registration is required.
Working Remotely During COVID-19 - Find a list of helpful tools, and training modules to help you or staff work remotely effectively.
AgLearn - AgLearn is an on-line training hub for conservation planners and engineers. Find more resources on how to access and troubleshoot AgLearn HERE.
NRCS Science and Technology Training Library - Learn, Earn and Save by joining over 56,000 viewers that have participated in webinars hosted on the Webinar Portal, the leading free multi-disciplinary training and extension webinar platform.
ASWM-NRCS Wetland Training Webinar Series - This webinar series has been designed to provide participants with a general level of knowledge about wetlands and wetland restoration options and considerations. Participants will come away with key knowledge, the ability to be more conversant about wetland issues, knowing what questions to ask when looking at restoration opportunities, and knowing when to contact or bring in an expert.
NAISMA - The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) is the continent’s authority on invasive species management.
LPELC Webinar Series - The Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community (LPELC) offers a free monthly webinar on a variety of issues related to animal manure management.
eXtension Campus - eXtension offers a central listing of fee-based courses available through Campus on a variety of topics such as agriculture, energy, pest management, community, and more. There are selections for both planners, educators, and landowners alike.
Cornell Online Farmer Courses - The Cornell Small Farms Program offers a suite of more than 20 online PAID courses, primarily taught by Cornell Cooperative Extension educators, to help farmers improve their technical and business skills. Take them yourself, or pass along to landowners.
Training/Webinar Archive
Below are the past few webinars hosted by CTD.
Thursday, November 18, 2021 @ 1:00-2:00 PM
Panelists: Jennifer Boie, Palouse CD; Anna Lael, Kittitas Co. CD; Ryan Williams, Cascadia CD; and Eric Schuh, Snohomish CD. Moderated by Shana Joy, WSCC
Are you leading or participating in implementing an RCPP? Are you interested in applying for your own RCPP? Join us to hear from experienced RCPP leaders from across the state about their experiences, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and tools for successful implementation of an RCPP.
Note: For recent informational RCPP webinars hosted by NRCS WA, please visit the Regional Conservation Partnership Program | NRCS Washington webpage.
Presenters: Nichole Embertson, Whatcom CD; Laura Redmond, King CD; Addie Candib, AFT
Proper manure management is an important practice for animal operations that can provide a valuable resource for land managers while protecting water quality and enhancing soil health. Manure management practices, particularly those that contain and control manure runoff, protect water quality by retaining valuable nutrients and preventing transport to surface and ground water resources. American Farmland Trust, King Conservation District, and Whatcom Conservation District’s Washington Discovery Farms® program collaborated on a project in the South Puget Sound to assess and promote the best management practice (BMP) of on-farm dry manure storage for water quality protection.
Presented on: September 23, 2021
Presenter: Kari Quaas, Snohomish CD and Nichole Embertson, CTD
You may have attended trainings on how to host or present a virtual meeting or event, but what about moderation? Moderating a meeting is just as (or more!) important for making sure it runs smoothly and highlights the content. Join us for strategies, tips, and techniques for easily moderating a meeting or event like a pro!
Presented: August 19, 2021
Presenter: Michael Hipp, Snohomish CD
Keeping a horse - housing, feeding, providing room to exercise and be a horse - is not only challenging, but can be very expensive and challenging on small acreages typically adjacent to waterways, in western Washington. Horses are non-native creatures introduced to our soils and landscape in the 1700s, and their impact on the ecosystem is widely felt. Sound Horsekeeping is a program from the Snohomish Conservation District to help people not only mitigate those impacts but to do so in a way that is of benefit to the horse and the human. Find out what the program is, how it is done, and why it is needed, now more than ever.
Presented on: July 15, 2021
Presented on: June 14-16, 2021
Presented on: May 25-26, 2021
You may have missed the training, but the presentations and videos posted HERE!
Presented on: April 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2021
Putting on a training event but need help? Contact us for help with virtual platforms, advertising, coordination, and any other support you need: info@wactd.org