Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 12, 2015
Contact: Julie Buchanan, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-786-2292, julie.buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov
Nutrient management training to be offered in Staunton
RICHMOND — A two-part nutrient management training school will be offered in late June at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. The training is open to anyone interested in learning more about the development of agricultural nutrient management plans or how to become a certified plan writer. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is conducting the training.
The first session, June 23-24, will cover soil science, soil fertility and crop production.
The second session, June 29-July 1, will cover nutrient management plan writing using a case-study farm.
Both sessions will run 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day. The fee for each session is $130 per person. Registration by June 12 is recommended.
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 yield records (or soil productivity when yield records aren’t available).
The training is open to everyone and will give participants an understanding of the process required to develop a nutrient management plan. Exercises will be hands-on and based on real scenarios.
“Generally, it would appear this type of training may be of interest mainly to consultants, sales people or agency people working with nutrient management or crop production,” said David Kindig, DCR’s nutrient management certification and training coordinator. “However, many farmers and farm operators also participate in this training and choose to become certified planners themselves. This training is helpful, especially for farmers who are required to have nutrient management plans as part of a permit.”
For more information about training and certification, go to www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/nmtrain.
To register, contact Susan Jones at 804-443-3803 or susan.jones@dcr.virginia.gov.
For details about either training session, contact David Kindig at 804-371-8095 or david.kindig@dcr.virginia.gov.
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