Agricultural Soil Erosion Assessment for Virginia Conservationists

Joint Guidance on Training and Certification for NRCS and SWCD Staff

The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) have decided to combine efforts on training and verifying proficiency of conservation staff on soil erosion issues. This webpage is your primary source of information about this partnership training program, including dates and details about upcoming training opportunities.

Note that while NRCS and DCR will be using the same training materials, each maintain their own records on staff accreditation and continuing education. Staff should contact their appropriate agency contact for questions on certification tracking and credits.

Chris Lawrence USDA
NRCS State Cropland Agronomist
Chris.Lawrence@usda.gov
804/356-0610
Carl Thiel-Goin
DCR Conservation Planning
and Training Coordinator
carl.thiel-goin@dcr.virginia.gov
804/229-3385

There are THREE (3) key elements in the joint DCR-NRCS agricultural soil erosion training & certification program.

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A. Erosion Fundamentals & RUSLE2 Background

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B. In-field Erosion Risk Assessment and RUSLE2 Data Collection

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C. Getting Results with RUSLE2 Erosion Assessment Software

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These elements do not need to be completed in sequence, although it is recommended.

See bottom of this page for a table summarizing details about all three training elements.

Element A: Erosion Fundamentals and RUSLE2 Background

How to Acquire Knowledge for Element A

Style: SELF-STUDY

  1. Watch these webinar recordings hosted by Chris Lawrence, State Cropland Agronomist with USDA-NRCS in Virginia.  Webinars are organized in two playlists, totaling ten videos
    • Total time: 3.5 hours
    • Longest video: 31 minutes.
    • Average video length: 20 minutes
  2. Download or bookmark the VA NRCS Erosion Resources Index found on the Virginia NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). Spend at least 30 minutes familiarizing yourself with Index items 1-7, 27, and 29.  Browse the titles and descriptions of these items in the Index.  Dig deeper by downloading and opening documents.  In some cases, digging deeper might be needed to answer certification test questions

How to Demonstrate Proficiency & Earn Certification for Element A

TAKE A WRITTEN TEST & SUBMIT IT FOR A GRADE. Students successfully completing this test will fulfill Element A for both the Virginia NRCS and the DCR conservation planner certification programs.

Click this link to take your test online.

Click this link to download a hard-copy version of the test.

*Hard copy version provided if participants prefer to take their exam on paper; answers can be transcribed to the online version of the exam. If using the online exam system is not accessible or other accommodations are needed, reach out to Chris Lawrence at Chris.Lawrence@usda.gov .

Element B: In-Field Erosion Risk Assessment & RUSLE2 Data Collection

How to Acquire Knowledge for Element B

Style: FORMAL IN-PERSON TRAINING

SEE BELOW FOR NEXT IN-FIELD TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

  1. See map diagram below to SELECT your training session

2. Click here to REGISTER for your selected session.

3. Click below to GET FLYER for your selected session with address, how to prepare, etc.

How to Demonstrate Proficiency & Earn Certification for Element B

OBTAIN CERTIFICATE BY ATTENDING FORMAL IN-FIELD TRAINING.

Everyone who attends one of the in-field sessions above will receive a completion certificate.

This certificate will fulfill Element B for both the Virginia NRCS and the DCR conservation planner certification programs.

Element C: Getting Results with RUSLE2 Erosion Assessment Software

How to Acquire Knowledge for Element C

Style: ATTEND WEBINARS and/or WEB-BASED SELF-STUDY

We hope to offer a series of web-based trainings on running RUSLE2 in 2023/early 2024. 

Once more details are available, they will be posted here and distributed via email to Virginia NRCS and SWCD staff.

How to Demonstrate Proficiency & Earn Certification for Element C

USE RUSLE2 SOFTWARE TO COMPLETE A PRACTICAL EXERCISE & SUBMIT IT FOR GRADING

Although the planned RUSLE2 online training described above will help prepare you for the practical exercise, the key to getting credit for certification is using the software and completing the exercise – not necessarily participating in the webinars.  If you have adequate prior knowledge of RUSLE2, you can complete the exercise without attending the webinars or any formal training.

Coming soon: Instructions for completing the practical RUSLE2 exercise, submitting it and receiving your certificate of completion.

The certificate of completion for the RUSLE2 practical exercise will fulfill Element C for both the Virginia NRCS and the DCR conservation planner certification programs.

Tabular Summary of Recommended Training & Certification Elements

Agricultural Soil Erosion Assessment for VA Conservationists – Summary of Recommended Training & Certification Elements

ElementDescription of required knowledgeHow trainer conveys knowledgeHow staff will gain knowledgeApprox info amount / durationHow staff will demonstrate knowledgeHow trainers will verify knowledgeProof of completionWhen materials / training will be available
AErosion fundamentals & RUSLE2 backgroundLecture / webinarSelf-study: Watch videos of prior lectures on YouTube, study FOTG itemsApprox. 4 hours watch & study timeWritten test (multiple choice) submitted to NRCS trainerGrade testCertificate issued by NRCS after test is gradedAugust 2023
BIn-field erosion risk assessment & RUSLE2 data collectionIn-field trainingAttend in-person, in-field trainingsOne full day field training (6 hours)Participate in trainingTake attendanceCertificate issued by NRCS trainer after trainingOctober 2023 (multiple dates & locations)
CGetting results with RUSLE2 erosion assessment softwareOn-screen demos of software use Watch demos of software use + practice using softwareTo be determinedRUSLE2 calculation printout submitted to NRCS trainerGrade exerciseCertificate issued by NRCS trainer after submission is gradedLate 2023