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AgLearn Training Access Instructions for Montana TSPs

To access the AgLearn System you must have a USDA eAuthentication Level 2 account. If you don’t have a Level 2 eAuthentication account go to Register as a Technical Service Provider (TSP) on the TechReg web site before following the steps on this page.

AgLearn Access

Step 1: AgLearn Registration

Access to all AgLearn registration steps is via the AgLearn website. AgLearn access must be requested individually since this is a different system than the TSP registration or eAuthentication process. USDA pays a fee to allow TSP applicants to access the AgLearn System. Go to AgLearn and click on New User - Register from the left hand menu. Select the 'USDA Partner/Customer' link from the different types of listed New Users. Then, login with your USDA eAuthentication user ID and password. Don't try to log in at first.

At the User Registration Screen:

  • Verify your name, address, e-mail and phone number are correct.
  • Select the Agency of Sponsoring Individual - from the drop down menu choose NRCS-External-MT-Technical Service Provider.
  • Select Matt Kidney's name as the Montana USDA Official to Sponsor Access to AgLearn, will show up. Matt will receive an e-mail to activate your account.
  • Once all information on the User Registration Screen is complete, click SUBMIT. Again, before submitting, make sure your email address is current and valid as this is the only way you will be contacted to tell you that your account is activated. If it is incorrect in any way, you will not receive any messages.
Step 2: AgLearn Account Activation

Wait until Matt Kidney activates your account. This may take up to three working days. Matt will e-mail you upon activating your account.

Step 3: Taking AgLearn Courses

Go to AgLearn and log in under Student - Login.

  • Select the course(s) to add to your learning plan. To do this you can use several options. If you know the name of the class you want, you can do a simple search by typing in the name of the course in the search box; or you can browse the catalog. If using the latter method, the course you will want will be listed under Natural Resources Conservation Service in the catalog. Use the vertical slide bar to move down to NRCS. Select NRCS and the courses are then displayed on the right hand side. There are five pages of courses. The Conservation Planning Course, Part 1 (Modules 1-5) is on page 2. Click the Add to Learning Plan button to add a course to your learning plan from this menu.
  • Once the desired course(s) has been added, you return to the learning plan screen. You can Launch Content from your learning plan screen by using that button.
  • Follow the onscreen directions to complete the class.
  • It is always a good idea to print screen or save the completion certificate to document that you have completed the course.
  • To make sure the AgLearn system captured completion of a course, select the Learning tab from the top menu and then Learning History from the lower menu. A list of completed courses along with the completion date should display. If a course you believe to have been completed is not displayed, contact Matt Kidney, phone 406-587-6712 or e-mail Matt Kidney.

AgLearn Courses for TSPs

Follow the instructions for AgLearn Access to the Conservation Planning Modules 1-5, the TSP Orientation courses, and the Nutrient and Pesticide Management course necessary for the nutrient management and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP) categories. There are links provided to a synopsis of each of these courses on the TechReg home page. Additional courses may be required depending on the TSP categories of interest. There are a number of courses available in AgLearn. This license is good for up to five courses.

At a minimum, all TSP service categories require the following courses:

  • TSP Orientation Course
  • Conservation Planning, Part 1 Course (Modules 1-5)

Other TSP categories have specific course requirements. You’ll need to check the current certification criteria on the TechReg Certification Categories web page to determine if any additional TechReg courses are required. The Introduction to the Technical Guide is not a required course, but it’s worthwhile to provide an awareness of how NRCS organizes its technical resource information and the standards and specifications for conservation practices.

If you want to apply for certification in the Nutrient and Pest Management categories or CNMP – Nutrient Management, you'll need the 000033, 000083 and 00085 courses as well. Some of the courses available are:

  • NRCS-NEDC-000008 - Introduction to NRCS NRCS-NEDC-000019 Conservation Planning, Part I
  • NRCS-NEDC-000033 - Introduction To Water Quality
  • NRCS-NEDC-000083 - Nutrient Management Track 1, Part 1
  • NRCS-NEDC-000085 - Pest Management Track 2, Part 1
  • NRCS-NEDC-000115 - Agricultural Waste Management Systems - A Primer (required for Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage)
  • NRCS-NEDC-000116 - Agricultural Waste Management Systems - Level 2 (required for Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage)
  • NRCS-NEDC-000141 - Cultural Resources Training Series, Part 1
  • NRCS-NEDC-000149 - Introduction to the Field Office Technical Guide (recommended but not required)
  • NRCS-NEDC-000190 - Environmental Compliance for Conservation Assistance (EC Level 1)
  • NRCS-NEDC-000191 - TSP Orientation

Most courses require a passing score on proficiency test after the materials have been reviewed. When a course has been completed, please check the boxes in Section F of your TSP profile (on the TechReg site) for the Orientation course and the Conservation Planning, Part 1 (Modules 1-5). List any other courses completed under section F.

Last Modified: 12/28/2007