Flexible opportunities offered for nutrient management continuing education (2020)

ISSUE

As required by Delaware law, those who are certified through Delaware's Nutrient Management Program must maintain certification by attending continuing education programs. Throughout 2020, UD Cooperative Extension offered 223.5 Nutrient Management Continuing Education Credits through 123 face-to-face and virtual programs. Yet, participation in these programs can be prohibitive for some individuals due to travel and time constraints. These challenges were compounded further by the disruption, health and safety issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a dire need for self-paced online continuing education opportunities.

RESPONSE

UD Extension's Nutrient Management program released 12 new self-paced online modules to accommodate this growing need, increasing the total from 11 (6.5 total credits) to 23 modules (16.25 total credits). The subject matter was also expanded to include equine, turf and stormwater-specific topics in addition to the existing agronomic production, manure management, soil testing, poultry production and general nutrient management modules.

All self-paced online continuing education modules are free and available in a variety of formats, including readings, webinars and recorded presentations. To earn credit for each module, individuals must review the materials and earn a minimum score of 80 percent on the associated quiz.

IMPACT

In 2020, 458 online modules were completed by 234 users registered in the official online crediting system — 9.4 percent of the total number of individuals currently certified by the Delaware Nutrient Management Program. The most popular new modules include:

Rotational Grazing: When and How It Works (Completed by 21 users)

• 67 percent of participants felt they knew more about rotational grazing after completing the course
• 100 percent indicated that the information was useful and would be applied to their operation
   

Water Quality Impacts on Broiler Production (completed by 16 users)

• 80 percent of participants felt they knew more about water quality impacts on broilers after completing
• the course
• 94 percent found the information useful
• 81 percent said they would apply the information they learned to their operation

Healthy Soil, Healthy Turf (completed by 17 users)

• 100 percent of participants felt that they knew more about turfgrass management after completing the
• course
• 94 percent said the information in the module was useful to their operation
• 94 percent said they would apply the information they learned to their operation