US TSP Certification Program Robert T. Burns, Ph.D., P.E. Assistant Dean & Professor The University of Tennessee

Outline Program description (s) CNMP Education program (course) CNMP Certification program CNMP Core Training Curriculum Lessons Learned

CNMP Certification Program University Training Program National Memorandum Of Understanding with USDA-NRCS Certifies Technical Service Providers to prepare CNMPs Program is fee based

So how did this program get started …..

- Supporting Key Element – National Issue EPA & USDA Unified National Strategy to minimize the environmental and public health impacts of AFOs. - Supporting Key Element – Goal that all AFO owners have a CNMP developed by a certified specialist.

Livestock Operations Potentially Needing CNMPS (~ 260,000 farms) - USDA - NRCS, 2002

Large AFOs – Required to be permitted as CAFOs Under current Federal Regulation (~ 20,000 farms) - USEPA 2002 What does this map look like if we filter out all but the largest operations? About 20,000 operations, this includes the approximately 12,000 CAFOs identified by EPA Whether you are looking at all the AFOs or just the CAFOs, it’s a lot of CNMPs.

Who will prepare all of these CNMPs ? USDA-NRCS Certified Technical Service Providers

CNMP TSP Course The CNMP Course is one part of a larger CNMP Certification program for Technical Service Providers

CNMP Course Covers CNMP development process Follows USDA-NRCS guidelines A large team ( ~ 20) of subject matter experts are used to teach course

CNMP Course Info Course is offered in a formal setting Agenda timing is strictly followed Participants are professionals Course is national in scope

Course Design - 3 Day Course - Teach the CNMP development process using topic presentations Reinforce the presentations with specific examples from a real CNMP

CNMP Course Design The example CNMP provided with this course uses values from NRCS sources for consistency. Some states require specific data sources be used for CNMP Plan Development.

process of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Development CNMP Course Objective Our goal is to teach the process of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Development

CNMP Course Objectives ( Things students should leave with ) Understand the objectives of a CNMP Understanding NRCS Conservation Planning Policy The importance of Resource Management Systems One example of how to prepare a CNMP Complete a primary step toward certification as a TSP

Course Resources

Course is intended to provide students with a base-level of Course Design Course is intended to provide students with a base-level of knowledge in regards to the CNMP plan preparation Process that is applicable anywhere in the country.

Technical Service Providers (TSPs) The CNMP training program is a USDA recognized TSP certifying organization for CNMP development TSPs certified by this program were recognized by USDA nationally

TSP Program trained people from 44 states and 8 countries Canada France Turkey Portugal Saudi Arabia South Korea Puerto Rico Guam Chile Australia

Available at end of course Manure Wastewater Storage & Handling Nutrient Management Land Treatment Practices Feed Management Exams

CNMP Core Curriculum Joint project between 5 Landgrant universities and NRCS at the national and state level Uses ISU CNMP certification course as an opportunity to pilot test materials Project is funded by a USDA/CSREES 406 Extension Education Water Quality Grant

CNMP Core Curriculum Project Objectives: Develop a CNMP training “Core Curriculum” that includes core topics useful in any location Ensure that NRCS policy standards are included Share the resulting curriculum and materials with other states that may wish to use it as a starting point in developing their own CNMP programs Original idea came from Phil McCloud (NRCS – Indiana Assistant State Conservationist). NRCS team members from National also participating (Barry Kintzer)

Curriculum Content Contains 10 Sections Conservation Planning Land Treatment Practices Biosecurity Manure and Wastewater Storage and Handling Nutrient Management Feed Management Record Keeping Alternative Treatment/Utilization Air Quality TSP Certification and Registration

Curriculum Training Materials Lesson plans Scripted, editable presentations Workbook containing in-class exercises Example CNMPs List of resource materials

Curriculum Outlines

Lesson Plans

Presentation Materials

Questions and Discussion