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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- Flyer for Session 1, Oct 3 in Orange, VA
- Flyer for Session 2, Oct 10 in Weyers Cave
- Flyer for Session 3, Oct 12 in King William County, VA
- Flyer for Session 4, Oct 17 in Louisa County, VA
- Flyer for Session 5, Oct 19 in Smyth County, VA
- Flyer for Session 6, Oct 24 in Surry County, VA
- Flyer for Session 7, Oct 26 in Mecklenburg County, VA
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
| Element | Description of required knowledge | How trainer conveys knowledge | How staff will gain knowledge | Approx info amount / duration | How staff will demonstrate knowledge | How trainers will verify knowledge | Proof of completion | When materials / training will be available |
| A | Erosion fundamentals & RUSLE2 background | Lecture / webinar | Self-study: Watch videos of prior lectures on YouTube, study FOTG items | Approx. 4 hours watch & study time | Written test (multiple choice) submitted to NRCS trainer | Grade test | Certificate issued by NRCS after test is graded | August 2023 |
| B | In-field erosion risk assessment & RUSLE2 data collection | In-field training | Attend in-person, in-field trainings | One full day field training (6 hours) | Participate in training | Take attendance | Certificate issued by NRCS trainer after training | October 2023 (multiple dates & locations) |
| C | Getting results with RUSLE2 erosion assessment software | On-screen demos of software use | Watch demos of software use + practice using software | To be determined | RUSLE2 calculation printout submitted to NRCS trainer | Grade exercise | Certificate issued by NRCS trainer after submission is graded | Late 2023 |