Planner Resources

All Planners | Hydrologic Unit Map Website | Agriculture | Turf and Lanscaping

We've added this content to the website's nutrient management section to help certified planners find references, documents, tables and other information useful in developing plans. Links to presentations from DCR nutrient management continuing education meetings are listed below. Links to program related sites, such as NutMan 3.0, also are listed.

Feel free to suggest other information that could be added here.

For All Planners

Presentations from DCR Continuing Education meetings, GPS Training for Beginners, March 29, 2012

• GPS for Beginners
• Google Earth Introduction

Hydrologic Unit Map Website

Click here to get hydrologic unit codes. The interface's allows users to search for and download data for their particular area - it is no longer necessary for users to download an entire county map.

Agriculture-specific Information

NutMan 3.0 Software

Click here for the current version of NutMan 3.0, released on Jan. 8, 2013. This version has recently modified soil survey data. It also has updated "Special Conditions" documents for VPA and VPDES-permitted animal operations.

Agriculture Training School Presentations

Here's a list of presentation (PDF documents) given at the Agriculture Training School. If you have any questions, please contact Dave Kindig or the presenter.

• Dr. Steve Hodges. Introduction to Soils
• Hodges. Soil Physical Properties Analysis
• Hodges. Understanding Soil Water
• Hodges. Basic Soil Chemistry
• Hodges. Soil Surveys
• Hodges. VALUES
• Steve Heckendorn. Basic Soil Fertility
• Heckendorn. Soil Testing and Plant Analysis
• Dr. David Holshouser. Crop Production and Economics
• Dr. Rory Maguire. Nitrogen and Phosphorus
• Maguire. Organic Sources of Nutrients
• Maguire. Pre-sidedress Nitrate Test
• Maguire. What is a Phosphorus Index?
• Rachel McAden. Biosolids Calculations
• Tim Sexton. Environmental Management of Nutrients
• Sexton. Nutrient Management Incentive and Regulatory Programs
• Dr. Wade Thomason. Crop Production
• Thomason. Economics of Crop Production
• Thomason. Liming and Liming Materials

Getting Started Writing Plans

If you are new to writing plans, only occasionally write plans or have struggled with initial farm visits to gather the information needed to write a plan, Nutrient Management Plan Writing can help. It includes a general description of the components of a nutrient management plan and several forms to use to ensure that you obtain the information needed to write a plan. The information gathered through these forms should supply everything needed for the NutMan3.0 software used to complete data entry for writing a plan.

If you plan to use the Phosphorus Index (P-Index) as a tool to manage nutrient applications, you'll need some information that's not covered by the forms. You'll need to gather this information when you inspect your client's fields. In the NutMan software, the window for entering P-Index information is under the Farm Edit Window > Fields > P-Index tab.

The specific information NutMan needs to calculate the P-Index includes: distance to stream or riparian buffer width; annual soil loss using RUSLE II; any fields in continuous no-till; and any conservation practices associated with row crop-small grain production or pasture management.

• Nutrient Management Plan Writing

New Manure Sample Forms

DCR will pay for the processing of two manure samples per client. Those needing more than two tests should contact the Clemson University lab to arrange for payment of the additional samples. Samples must be sent to the Agricultural Service Laboratory at Clemson. Click here to visit the lab's website where you'll find useful information about the collection and handling of manure samples, as well as the form you'll need to fill out for the DCR-paid samples. Be sure to completely fill in the form.

Special Conditions for Nutrient Management Plans

• Special Conditions for Dairy and Beef Operations Not Requiring a VPA or VPDES Permit
• Special Conditions for Dairy and Beef Operations Requiring a VPA or VPDES Permit
• Special Conditions for Biosolid Applications
• Special Conditions for Poultry Operations East of I95 Not Requiring a VPA or VPDES Permit
• Special Conditions for Poultry Operations East of I95 Requiring a VPA or VPDES Permit
• Special Conditions for Poultry Operations West of I95 Not Requiring a VPA or VPDES Permit
• Special Conditions for Poultry Operations West of I95 Requiring a VPA or VPDES Permit
• Special Conditions for Poultry Operations Transferring Litter Requiring a VPA or VPDES Permit
• Special Conditions for Swine Operations Requiring a VPA or VPDES Permit

Plan-writing Guidance Documents

The documents listed below were developed to address specific issues, identified by planners, so that planners consistently address those issues. The documents are given to planners when they become certified as well as when they attend the Nutrient Management Agriculture Plan Writing schools. DCR posts the documents here, too, for the convenience of planners.

• Guidance for Crop Nutrient Recommendations for Hay/Pasture Fields
• Guidance for Manure Storage Facilities for Nutrient Management Plans Developed for a VPA Permit
• Guidance for Voluntary Nutrient Management Plans Developed for Non-permitted Dairy Operations Having Insufficient Manure Storage

Turf and Landscape-specific Information

Turf and Landscape Training School Presentations

Here's a list of presentations (PDF documents) given at the Turf and Landscape Training School. If you have any questions, please contact Dave Kindig or the presenter.

• Dr. Greg Evanylo. Basic Soil Fertility
• Evanylo. Organic Sources of Nutrients
• Dr. Rory Maguire. How to Manage Your Soil
  
• Maguire. Soil Testing and N and P and Plant Analysis
• Dr. David Sample. Principles of Stormwater Management
• Dr. Lee Daniels. Basic Soil Science
• Daniels. Dealing with Urban Soils in Turf and Landscapes
• Dr. Laurie Fox. Nutrient Management Landscape Ornamentals
• Dr. Mike Goatley. Identification and Management Strategies for Virginia Turfgrasses
• Goatley. The Primary Fertilizer Sources and Use Characteristics, 2012
• Adam Nichols. BMP’s for Water Use and Conservation
• Tim Sexton. Environmental Management of Nutrients for Turf and Landscape

Turf and Landscape Plan-writing Spreadsheets

These spreadsheets can help those writing nutrient management plans for turf and landscaped areas. The sheets are “templates.” As a certified planner, you are responsible to ensure that the information is accurate and complies with the Virginia nutrient management training and certification regulations. When you open the spreadsheet, you'll see tabs at the bottom of the screen. Here are explanations for the tabs.

Cover Sheet – Fill in this sheet first. Information from it will automatically fill in fields on other sheets, including the Cover Page.

Narrative – This is a blank page into which you write the narrative for the particular client. See Urban Nutrient Management Handbook page 13-5.

Maps – This is a blank sheet in which maps can be inserted into the plan.

Worksheet – This contains detailed recommendations for each management area developed. See Urban Nutrient Management Handbook page 13-7.

Soil Test Summary – If you use an approved lab other than Virginia Tech, fill in the that lab's result and convert that value to a Virginia Tech Fertility Rating, found in the Nutrient Management Standards and Criteria, page 39. Lab conversion information found in S&C, pages 41-42.

Reference Materials and Notes – This sheet is where you may provide additional guidance to clients on the specific needs of certain management areas. You can also include on this sheet Extension publications that further support implementation of the nutrient management recommendations.

Record Keeping – This sheet is for the client’s benefit. If the plan is written for “State Owned Lands,” it must be completed to verify implementation of that plan.

Click here to download the spreadsheet (XLSX).