Implementation of Soil Health Management Systems results in many changes to soil organic matter and the soil microbial population. These changes require that we think a bit more about how we manage nutrients within the soil. Among the things to consider is the use of cover crops for trapping and slow releasing soil nutrients. This discussion will include an overview of soil health management practices, changes to expect in the soil organic matter, some of the major microbial groups involved in carbon and nitrogen dynamics, the role of soil enzymes, and how the choice of cover crops can help manage soil nitrogen.

Cost: $35/member; $50/non-member

Regenerative agriculture does not mean organic or conventional—it is a pathway for all producers to improve soil health and become more profitable. This webinar reframes production issues like weeds, nutrient deficiencies, and water ponding as signs of a poorly functioning farm ecosystem. Understanding the farm as an ecosystem unlocks new solutions to these problems, which are summarized in the principles of regenerative agriculture: 1) reduce disturbance, 2) keep the soil covered, 3) maximize diversity, 4) keep a living root in the ground year-round, and 5) integrate livestock. Understanding how and why these principles work can help farmers achieve higher functioning soils that ultimately lead to greater profitability. In this webinar, Gabe Brown will demonstrate how regenerative soil management can be profitable. He will also talk about what led him to start a business (Soil Health Consultants, LLC) to give producers the education and coaching they need to become successful regenerative farmers and ranchers.

Cost: $35/member; $50/non-member

Research indicates that soil health management systems (SHMS) that incorporate reduced tillage and cover crops with the production of cash crops decrease soil erosion, improve water infiltration, increase soil carbon, and reduce inputs that have potential environmental externalities. Encouraging production practices that improve soil health includes demonstrating that farm profitability increases through SHMS adoption. Adoption of SHMS involves changes in select production activities—it is not an extensive substitution of one production system for an alternative production system. Partial budget analysis is a farm management analytical method in which comparative financial returns are determined by quantifying the net effect of proposed production changes. For example, converting from conventional tillage to no-till with cover crops eliminates field activities, thereby lowering costs. Planting cover crops leads to seed, planting, and termination expenses. However, other costs are reduced due to various cover crops benefits, including residue remaining on the soil from the previous production year. This partial budget methodology will be used to demonstrate procedures for quantifying changes in production costs associated with the adoption of SHMS. Additional discussions will address difficulties encountered when adopting SHMS and experiences of farmers managing these difficulties. 

Cost: $35/member; $50/non-member

Format: This online course provides an overview of the ethical challenges that farm managers and appraisers face in the business world, and how ASFMRA's Code of Ethics and professional standards address these challenges. The course consists of nine sections, a post test and a survey. Each section includes instructional screens, examples, interactions, and knowledge check questions. 

Course Length: 2 hours

CE: 3 hours of ASFMRA CE

Internet Browser: It is recommended that you use either Chrome or Edge when taking this course.

Completion Requirements: To complete the course, you must complete all nine sections and pass the post test.

Objectives: After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Define ethics and explain why it's important to behave ethically
• Identify ethical conflicts in business situations
• Identify ways to maintain ethical behavior within your organization
• Identify typical causes and conditions of ethical breaches
• Take steps to make better ethical choices
• Describe ASFMRA's disciplinary options for addressing ethical breaches
• Describe some of ASFMRA's policies and Standards of Professional Practice
• Discuss and apply several articles from the ASFMRA Code of Ethics

Format: The course consists of nine online modules, a post test and a survey. Each module includes instructional screens, examples, interactions and knowledge check questions.

Course Fee: $199

Course Length: 4 hours 

CE: 4 hours of ASFMRA CE + 1 hour of ASFMRA CE for the exam

Completion Requirements: To complete the course, you must complete all nine modules and pass the post test.

Objectives: After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Identify agricultural chattel
• Explain the overall valuation process
• Recognize safety hazards during farm visits
• Complete a valuation report

Lessons:

• Agricultural Chattel Introduction
• Chattel Evaluation Overview
• Site Visits
• Data Collection Process
• Market Research Process
• Livestock and Market Stock
• Machinery and Equipment
• Commodities
• Chattel Valuation Reports