RICHMOND—School will soon be in session for individuals who want to learn the ins and outs of soil science and farm nutrient management plans.

This January, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Nutrient Management Program will offer a two-part agriculture nutrient management training school. Those interested in learning about developing and implementing agricultural nutrient management plans, or how to become a certified nutrient management plan writer, are invited to register.

During the first session Jan. 9 and 10, Virginia Tech faculty will educate attendees about soil science, soil fertility and crop production. Considered a mini-agronomy course, the lecture series aims to help students understand how nutrients react and interact when applied to soil.

This virtual two-day soils and crop lesson will be held through Microsoft Teams.

The second session will take place Jan. 14-16 and will cover nutrient management plan writing using a case study. Participants will complete hands-on exercises using soils, soil tests, crop yields and manure analysis to learn all the components of a nutrient management plan.

The three-day training will be held in person at Brightpoint Community College in Chesterfield County.

Nutrient management plans are vital to famers’ operations as they consider how best to apply inputs to their crops and forages. Nutrient management plans determine rates for applying manure, fertilizers, biosolids and other soil amendments to maximize yields while minimizing nutrient loss to ground and surface waters. Application rates are determined by a process using yield records or soil productivity when yield records are not available.

The training courses will run from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day. The sessions are $150 each, and the deadline to register is Dec. 30. Visit dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/nmtrain for more information and to register.

Media: Contact Dave Neudeck, Virginia DCR public communications and marketing director, at 804-786-5053.