As you know, we have been working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts (TACD) to develop a program to highlight the impact of herbicide resistant weeds on agriculture.  It appears that some cost share incentives will be offered to those farmers with “Herbicide Resistant Weed Management Plans”.

However, these plans must be written by qualified “Technical Service Providers” (TSPs) and since this is a new program, there are currently no TSPs to write the plans.  A training program has been pulled together over the past few days to offer TSP training to any consultant interested.

The above mentioned training, sponsored by the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts, conducted by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in concert with U of A Weed Science personnel, and basic herbicide manufacturers, will be conducted at the North Little Rock Wyndham, 200 Maple Street, North Little Rock, AR. 501-371-9000. Training will commence promptly @ 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 21st with the initial presentation conducted UofA and presentations from the herbicide manufacturers. It is expected that each will choose to present their 2012 program/protocol thrust, with handouts and audio-visuals as they deem appropriate. All day Wednesday and Thursday morning will primarily be devoted to very thorough training presented by NRCS, and the examination.

Registrants who successfully complete the training will be credentialed to write Conservation Plans in the fields of; Weed Resistance Management, Integrated Pest Management, and Nutrient Management (relating to fertilizers, not manures), assuming they are Certified Crop Advisers.  Non-CCA’s will face one additional examination prior to being credentialed.  The above referenced plans are required for producers to obtain cost-share funds from USDA, and will become increasingly important as we transition to the new Farm Bill and beyond. 

Consultants/CCA’s so credentialed avail themselves of two revenue sources; the fee ($250.00-2500.00) for writing said plan, and the fee per acre for scouting for “weeds” as opposed to, or, in addition to insects. 

Potential registrants need to contact: Debbie Moreland, Program Administrator for AACD, debbiepinreal@aol.com<mailto:debbiepinreal@aol.com>, 501-682-2915, in order to secure lodging and a seat in the classroom. Registrants are not required to stay at the Wyndham, but MUST register with MS Moreland in order to obtain a class seat assignment. 

The following are provided at no cost to registrants:

Evening meal-Feb 21, Breakfast, lunch, dinner- Feb 22, Breakfast Feb 23; Lodging Feb 21 and 22. This support is predicated on in-house dining, and

lodging at the Wyndham.   No outside reimbursements are authorized.   This

support is generously provided by the basic herbicide manufacturers in order to demonstrate their support of the HRM effort.  A reception with refreshments will be provided each evening prior to dinner courtesy of a private sponsor.

 Those participating in this training will be qualified to write Herbicide Resistant Management Plans after completing this short course.  This is a great opportunity and hopefully, will be utilized by many consultants. 

John Lee has requested the following items to the registration for all participants.

 1. Bring a laptop computer

2. Complete their level 2 Electronic Authentication (eAuthenticaiton) prior to the training (Contact local NRCS agent to learn how) 3. Bring an electronic copy of their resume to the training so that we can include it in their profile once they are certified as a TSP