RICHMOND — A two-part nutrient management training school will be offered in July at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. The training is open to anyone interested in learning about the development of agricultural nutrient management plans or how to become a certified plan writer.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation will conduct the training.
The first session, July 9-10, is a lecture series by Virginia Tech professors on soil science, soil fertility and crop production. The second session, July 15-17, 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 June 25, the fee will increase to $150 per session.
A college degree is not required to become a certified nutrient management planner.
“This training school may be of interest to people in a variety of fields or even to those who are looking for a new career,” said David Kindig, DCR’s nutrient management certification and training coordinator. “Knowledge of nutrient management planning would be beneficial to anyone looking to work in the agricultural industry.”
Increasing the number of people who are certified to write nutrient management plans is a goal in Virginia’s draft Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan, the blueprint to achieve nutrient and sediment reductions needed to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. The plan is scheduled to be completed this summer.
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 outline efficient methods for applying manure, fertilizers, biosolids and other soil amendments so that crop yields are maximized and ground and surface waters are protected from contamination by excess nutrients.
Because a plan considers the source, placement, rate and timing of nutrient materials, the farmer may be able to reduce input costs, thus saving money. Farmers need plans to participate in most of the Virginia agricultural cost-share practices and to be in compliance with permit requirements for large animal operations.
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 susan.jones@dcr.virginia.gov.
