TSP Certification

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The NEDC courses that were temporarily unavailable due to a change in the operating process are now available again for TSPs and individuals pursuing TSP certification. In the coming months, the way you access the NEDC online courses may change again. Please contact Lara Moody (lmoodyiastate.edu) if you have any questions.
Iowa NRCS TSP Information Page - Link to Iowa specific TSP information
Certification Program Goes National - USDA and ISU signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in October identifying Iowa State University as having a nationally recognized Technical Service Provider CNMP certification program. This certification program can be used by individuals as a means for completing the certification requirements for TechReg.
CNMP Core Curriculum Project - The land grant universities and NRCS from ID, IN, MI & TN cooperatively developed a core CNMP educational curriculum and supporting course materials. Inclusion of NRCS personnel at both the state and national lelvel will ensure that necessary skill sets satisfy the NRCS TSP certification standards. The final product is a core CNMP training curriculum that includes instructor ready training materials. It is made available in an electronic format to Land Grant Universities, state NRCS contacts and any other group that would like to use them.

Certification Requirements

Part 409. - Conservation Planning Policy: Establishes NRCS policy for providing conservation planning assistance. For CNMP TSP Certification see Section 409.10.
CNMP Certification Requirements and Completion Signature Page: Provides list to be signed, dated and returned to the certifying agency upon completion of requirements.
TSP Update Training Submission Form. Each CNMP certification element area requires 6 hours of update training every 3 years following certification. This form should be completed and submitted so we can verify your completion of these requirements. The form can be completed electronically and emailed using Adobe.
CNMP Element Write Update Training: Provides information about courses and seminars available which count towards the 6 hours of update training required every 3 years following certification.

CNMP Development Course. Provides link to the required certification course designated by the state conservationist. Exams for each CNMP element, associated with the Animal Waste Management Systems course will be given once a year in conjunction with the course.
NRCS "Required Viewing and Test" Links: Provides a link to the required NRCS sites described in the Conservation Planning Policy and the CNMP Element Writer Certification Requirement provided above.
Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE): Provides a link to information about the use of RUSLE. Skill in the use of RUSLE is required for certification of a CNMP Nutrient Management and Land Treatment Practices element writer. RUSLE2 (a Windows based program) is also available.

Animal Waste Management (AWM) Software: AWM is a planning tool used to estimate the production of waste materials within an animal feeding operation and determines the size of storage/treatment facilities.
AFOPro Online - AFOPro is a standalone nutrient management planning tool, with optional connections to GIS (ArcView using either AFOPro Spatial or Spatial Nutrient Management Planner as the front end) and the NRCS's Animal Waste Management (version 2.1 or higher) engineering software. The application automates manure allocation decisions in compliance with the NRCS 590 Standard, which requires the documentation of form, source, timing, method, and placement of nutrients.
NRCS Animal Waste and Nutrient Management Tools: Provides a link to online nutrient management tools.
NRCS Crop Nutrient Tool: Provides link to online crop nutrient tool.

eFOTG, Electronic version of the Field Office Technical Guides
NRCS, Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook, Part 651
NRCS Engineering Publications: Provides a link to site for ordering helpful NRCS publications.