Regenerative Agriculture Technical Assistance Provider (TAP) Certification Program

hands on a computer on a picnic table with a cup of coffee

California is the nation’s leading agricultural producer by total receipts, generating over $50 billion in 2019, far exceeding the number two leading state of Iowa ($27.5 billion). By sheer size and productivity, California has significant potential to contribute to working lands conservation efforts.

However, climate change, diminishing soil health, low implementation of conservation efforts, and lack of knowledge and/or access to information, training, and assistance with systems-based agricultural management have left us less resilient and more vulnerable to economic and environmental threats.

CRARS has developed the Regenerative Agriculture Technical Assistance Provider (TAP) Certification Program to support the expansion of systems-based farm, ranch, and forest management practices on California working lands, and foster conversation and innovative, collaborative strategies to address current and future threats and opportunities for California agricultural production.

If you are looking to refresh your knowledge with the most current information and research on regenerative agriculture, are already a conservation planner or hoping to become a conservation planner, this program could be valuable for you. With a TAP certificate from CRARS, you will be able to act as a conservation planner for several USDA programs, including RCPP and Climate Smart Commodities, state programs, including CDFA HSP, and private organizations interested in funding different types of conservation plans, such as carbon farm plans.

As the need for progressive on-farm planning continues to grow, so too will the need for planners with the most up-to-date knowledge and resources. The need for planners at state, federal and private organizations is growing by the day, and employment opportunities for planners are expected to continue expanding for the foreseeable future. We have also been able to integrate various pieces of NRCS’s Technical Service Provider (TSP) certification program into our TAP program, allowing CRARS graduates to seamlessly continue on to earn TSP certification from NRCS if desired. As an NRCS TSP, a producer can pay you directly to be a planner and be reimbursed by NRCS, opening an additional door of opportunity for planners. Learn more.(opens in new window)

CRARS Online Professional TAP Courses (not NRCS TSP Certification)

This series of professional development classes, offered through Chico State Professional & Continuing Education (PCE)(opens in new window), provides the backbone for the Certification program. They are also available to be taken singly for continuing education purposes by current agricultural professionals and by farmers, producers and members of the public with an agriculture background.

Priority will be given to individuals seeking to complete the entire TAP Certification program (3 required courses and 1 elective). Though the courses are not sequential, we do recommend beginning with course #1 as a foundation for future learning.

Space may be available on a case by case basis for individuals interested in taking one or more courses for exploratory purposes.

Ag Professionals, please note: at the beginning of each course series, there may be partial scholarships available for people choosing to be in this program if you live in California and meet other eligibility requirements. Priority for scholarships will be given to those seeking the full TAP certification. Applications are now CLOSED for the current class series but will be open for the next series in the spring/summer of 2025.

For questions regarding course content, participant eligibility, and the CRARS TAP network, please contact program manager Lindsey Hethcote(opens in new window).

For questions about course dates, scholarship applications, and registration, please contact Emily Moore.

These courses are intended for agricultural and conservation professionals and planners, and people with an agricultural background seeking TAP certification or continuing education credits from select organizations. Although these courses are open to the general public, they are not intended for beginners seeking introductory courses on regenerative agriculture.

For those seeking hands-on experience with conservation practice implementation, a series of in-person offerings will be available soon in Chico, CA. These online courses provide very in-depth knowledge on the importance and use of conservation practices, but do not necessarily cover specifications for implementation. However, these courses can be used as a great precursor to the future implementation courses that will be offered.

Those taking this course series as part of our Technical Assistance Provider Certification program are required to take these first three classes plus 1 elective.

Regenerative Agriculture Systems: Theory & Practice
Introduction to Soil Health Management
Whole Farm/Ranch Planning & Design

And 1 elective chosen from the following choices:

Ecological Range Management & Adaptive Grazing
Pollinator Habitat
Introduction to Beekeeping
Regenerative Forestry
Regenerative Theory and Practice in Orchard Systems (New in 2025)
Conservation Project Planning on Tribal Lands (New in 2025)
Carbon Farm Planning

Course Structure:

Fully online for flexibility and convenience.
Lectures and coursework (6-8 hours per week) completed at your own time and pace.
Weekly 1-2 hour live-online discussions with participants and faculty.
Pass/No Pass quizzes to gauge your mastery of the content.
Certificate of completion given at the end of each course.

Fee: $650 per 6-week course, $500 per 4- week course

CEUs are currently available from the following organizations:

Society for Ecological Restoration(opens in new window):

Regenerative Agriculture Systems: Systems Theory and Practice (10 CEUs)
Ecological Range Management and Adaptive Grazing (10 CEUs)
Introduction to Soil Health Management (10 CEUs)
Whole Farm/Ranch Planning and Design (10 CEUs)
Pollinator Habitat (10 CEUs)
Regenerative Forestry (10 CEUs)

Certified Crop Advisors(opens in new window):

Regenerative Agriculture Systems: Systems Theory and Practice (24 CEU’s total in various categories: 9 CEUs in Soil and Water Management, 3.5 CEUs in Sustainability, 4 CEUs in Nutrient Management, 2 CEUs in Integrated Pest Management, 4.5 CEUs in Crop Management and 1 CEU in Manure Management.

Society for Range Management(opens in new window):

Ecological Range Management and Adaptive Grazing (16 CEUs)

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)(opens in new window)

Carbon Farm Planning (15 CEUs)

The Society of American Foresters(opens in new window)

Regenerative Forestry (32 CEUs)

The Wildlife Society(opens in new window)

Regenerative Agriculture Systems: Systems Theory and Practice course (36 CEUs)
Regenerative Forestry (12 CEUs)

Click the box links below to learn more about each class and sign up when registration is open.

An introduction to management approaches that focus on the interactions and synergies of ecosystem processes (energy flow, water and nutrient cycles, and community dynamics) to leverage the power of photosynthesis to improve water use efficiency and soil health across a variety of agro-ecosystems using appropriate production practices.

6 weeks, 48 CEUs

Understand the connection between soil health and primary productivity and, ultimately, food and fiber quality. This course will cover soil properties, metrics of soil health, and influences of production practices and soil management systems (integrated practices) on these components. Soil sampling, analysis and interpretation are presented, along with monitoring strategies to ensure on-farm success.

6 weeks, 48 CEUs

This course will address whole ranch and grazing management planning and design with a focus on climate smart/regenerative practice implementation and assessment. We will explore key concepts including the Holistic Management (HMI or Savory) and the Nine Step Conservation Planning Process from NRCS.

6 weeks, 48 CEUs

This will be a course that explores agricultural practices that enhance pollination services by native pollinators and honeybees. It will include the importance of establishing pollinator habitat and hedgerows, use of pollinator-friendly cover crops, choosing plants, and other pollinator-friendly practices.

4 weeks, 32 CEUs

In this course we will cover our current understanding of the diversity of life belowground in forests and the fluxes of plant carbon to the belowground ecosystem, and explore how forestry practices could be adapted to promote soil biodiversity and function.

4 weeks, 32 CEUs

This course provides entry-/mid-level learning outcomes and real-world resources for producers and technical assistance providers on the theory and practice of regenerative orchard management within both conventional and regenerative treenut systems.

6 weeks, 48 hrs CEUs

This course introduces students to the biology of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and provides a comprehensive overview of beekeeping practices. Students will learn about the life cycle, anatomy, behavior, and ecology of honey bees and explore essential beekeeping methods such as hive management, honey production, and disease control. The course combines theoretical and practical knowledge.

Carbon Farming is a whole farm approach to optimizing carbon capture on working landscapes by implementing practices that are known to improve the rate at which CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere and stored in plant material and/or soil organic matter. Carbon Farm planning is a framework for engaging with the agroecosystem processes that drive system change taking into consideration the unique characteristics of a specific property.

4 weeks, 32 CEUs

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.

6 weeks, 48 CEUs

There is no application required but registration and fees should be submitted more than a week ahead of the start date. Click here to learn more and register now.

Classes that can be taken singly for continuing education units or professional development. You will also find programs by other organizations here.

Join Our LinkedIn Group for TAP Students and Professionals

Connect with other TAPs for discussion, information sharing, and opportunities.

The TAP Certification Program is funded with USDA NIFA Award #2023-70001-40989. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, any reference to specific brands or types of products or services does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for those products or services.