From Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
A two-part nutrient management training school will be offered in December by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Training is for anyone statewide interested in learning about the development of agricultural nutrient management plans or how to become a certified plan writer. Training will be held in Sandston, near Richmond International Airport.
The first session, Dec. 7-8 at the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Airport, is a lecture series by Virginia Tech professors on soil science, soil fertility and crop production. The second session, Dec. 12-14 at the Homewood Suites Richmond Airport, will cover nutrient management plan writing using a case-study farm.
Both sessions run from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day. Registration is $130 for each session. After Nov. 27, the fee will increase to $150 per session.
Nutrient management continues to be an important component in a farmer’s decision-making process when considering application of materials to supply nutrients to crops. Nutrient management plans are guides for applying manure, fertilizers, biosolids and other soil amendments so that crop yields are maximized and ground and surface waters are protected from nutrient pollution. Application rates are determined by a process using actual yield records or soil productivity when yield records aren’t available.
“Generally it would appear this type of training may be of interest mainly to consultants, sales people or agency people working with nutrient management and crop production,” said David Kindig, DCR’s nutrient management certification and training coordinator. “However, farmers and farm operators do attend the schools for educational benefit, and some choose to become certified planners themselves. The training gives them a better understanding of how plans are developed.”
More information about nutrient management training and certification is available at www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/nmtrain.
To register, contact Susan Jones at 804-443-3803 or [email protected].
For details, contact David Kindig at 804-371-8095 or [email protected].
