Nutrient Management Training

The format of the Nutrient Management Training is a combination of
online self-study modules, optional Zoom review sessions, and in-person classes. 

Please look at the dates closely.
Make sure your schedule will accommodate the completion of all required components.


Online Modules for Self-Study: Deadline  – TBD
Optional Zoom Review Session:  TBD
In-Person Nutrient Management: March 17-20, 2026
In-Person Nutrient Mgmt. Exam and RUSLE Field Session: March 19, 2026
In-Person Software Training: March 20, 2026

  

Please feel free to contact us with questions or concerns.

Summary

Contact:

Jamie Luther
919-513-3321

Jazmin Garcia-Lawson
919-513-3224

soils_training@ncsu.edu

Nutrient management planning is the tool we use to efficiently and effectively manage crop nutrients. Environmental protection is one of the key goals of nutrient management. Other goals realized are more efficient (less costly) crop production and sustainable farming systems, including animal production. In North Carolina, nutrient management plans are required for farms with animal waste management systems regulated by the NC Division of Water Resources, as well as farms located in nutrient sensitive watersheds. These plans must meet federal technical standards and be certified by a technical specialist approved by the NC Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Completion of this nutrient management course is one required component of the application to become a certified technical specialist.

 

Agenda

Registration Information
Online Self-Study via Moodle
About 20 hours of self-study.

Due by TBD
We highly recommend finishing these modules in time to ask questions at the Optional Review Session, TBD.
1. Pre-Class Refresher
  • Nutrients and Water Quality
  • Environmental Rules and Regulations for Animal Agriculture
  • Technical Standard 590 for Nutrient Management Planning
  • A Soil Chemistry and Fertility Primer
  • The Phosphorus Loss Assessment Tool
  • Soil Survey and Nutrient Management
  • NC Cropping Systems and Tillage
  • REQUIRED Open Book Exam
2. RUSLE Book
  • RUSLE History & Intro to the Manual
  • RUSLE Factors – R, K, LS, C, and P
  • Practice Exercises
  • REQUIRED Open Book RUSLE Exam
3. Nutrient Management
  • The Certification Process
  • Cropping Systems and Management
  • Nutrient Sources
Optional Review Session via Zoom
The Zoom link will be provided in your registration confirmation email.
  • Date and Time: TBD

 
In-Person Nutrient Mgmt.
March 17-20, 2026
8:30am – 5:00pm
Lunch will be provided.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Booth Field Learning Lab
4000 Chi Rd, Raleigh, NC
  • NC Rules and Regs
  • Commercial Fertilizer Calculations
  • Manure Availability Calculations
  • Identifying Realistic Yield Expectations & Calculating Manure Application Rates
  • Writing a Plan
  • Case Study: Animal Waste
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Booth Field Learning Lab
4000 Chi Rd, Raleigh, NC
  • Case Study Continued
  • Practice Exam
  • Final Review and Questions
Nutrient Mgmt. Exam &
RUSLE Field Session
March 19, 2026
9:00am  – 4:00pm
Lunch will be provided.
Booth Field Learning Lab
4000 Chi Rd, Raleigh, NC
  • Nutrient Management Exam
  • RUSLE Field Exercises
    • Slope direction/length/percent
    • Row grade
    • Residue cover
    • Receiving slopes 
Nutrient Mgmt. & RUSLE2 Software Training
March 20, 2026
8:00am-5:00pm
Lunch will be provided.
NCSU Main Campus
Williams Hall, Rm 2414

 

 March 2026

Please email us your contact information to be added to the waiting list for March 2026.

Fee: $400

Registration Confirmation
When registration is complete, you will receive two separate email messages.

  1. Registration Confirmation – containing Zoom link for the Optional Review Sessions and other class information.
  2. Moodle Access Message – containing specific information and an enrollment key to access the Online Self-Study Modules. 

Printed Materials
The Nutrient Management and RUSLE Manuals will be shipped to you as soon as possible after your registration.  When registering, please use an address where you can receive a package via US Postal Service.

Online Self-Study Access
The Online Self-Study Modules will be delivered via Moodle, an online learning management platform. You will receive an email with full information on how to access the online content.

Optional Review Session
The Optional Review Session will be delivered via Zoom web conferencing with live instruction. Once registered, you will receive full information on how to access the Zoom session.

Classroom Address: Nutrient Management In-Person Training, Nutrient Management Exam & RUSLE Field Session (Day 1-3)

March 17-19, 2026
Booth Field Learning Lab
4000 Chi Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27603

Classroom Address: Nutrient Mgmt. Software and RUSLE2 Software Training (Day 4)

March 20, 2026

The Software Training will take place in the GIS Computer Lab in Williams Hall on the main campus of NC State University. Parking permits for Dan Allen Deck are required, and the cost of your permit is covered by your workshop registration fee. Parking permits are virtual and tied to the license plate number of the vehicle you will be driving to campus. For this reason, we will communicate complete parking permit instructions in March.