Whole Farm/Ranch Planning and Design (Conservation Planning Activities)

Course Dates: Six weeks, June 18- July 23, 2024

Registration Deadline:  June 10, 2024

48 hrs CE+

Faculty: Dr. Cynthia Daley and Lindsey Hethcote

This course supports the transitional process to a plan, implement, monitor, replan management framework that encourages producers and ag professionals to work through a systems lens that addresses economic success and improved land health. Participants will develop a vision that incorporates management goals, establish a land management plan, and identify metrics to quantify outcomes and reassess their plan annually. 

Topics Include:

• Managing complex systems: establishing context to set goals with a vision.
• Farm/ranch assessment: resources and inventories from the ground up.
• Tools for enhancing resources within agroecosystems: a review of conservation practices and conservation effects.
• Whole farm/ranch planning: enhancing resources and meeting goals.
• The decision-making process: putting a conservation plan into action.
• The carbon lens: evaluating a farm/ranch plan for GHG reduction and co-benefits.
• Economic evaluation of farm/ranch plan.
• Monitoring for adaptive management.

1. Concentration 1 - Grazing Management Plan - TSP NRCS Certification

2. Concentration 2 - Soil Health Management Planning- TSP NRCS Certification

3. Concentration 3 - Pollinator Habitat Planning & Design- TSP NRCS Certification

4. Concentration 4 - Carbon Sequestration & GHG Mitigation - TSP NRCS Certification

*All concentrations will also learn the process for becoming NRCS certified Technical Service Providers (TSPs) and Conservation Planners and will be on their way to certification. To be a NRCS certified TSP or Conservation Planner, participants will have to take additional steps after course 7 finishes in order to complete NRCS certification. CRARS will work to facilitate communication between NRCS and CRARS graduates to help ensure NRCS certification is attained if that is the goal. 

This class is available to be taken (with permission) singly for continuing education purposes or general interest. It is a required course in the Technical Assistance Provider Certification Program(opens in new window).

Class is Full for this session.