Technical Resources

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Technical Service Providers (TSP)

Iowa's Technical Service Provider (TSP) process is intended to help professionals provide technical assistance to landowners and farmers under one of the Farm Bill conservation programs.

The following documents may require Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint.

Why Become a Certified TSP?

Quick Access Find a Technical Service Provider Complete NRCS Online Training Start the eAuthentication Process Iowa Category Checklist TechReg Website Training Opportunities TSP and Producer Forms

The demand for technical assistance to do conservation work is increasing and will exceed the current staffing capacity of the NRCS. Technical assistance includes conservation planning and design, installation and checkout of approved conservation practices. NRCS has traditionally provided these technical services and will continue to do so, however, USDA/NRCS program participants may now request the use of a Technical Service Provider (TSP) to provide the technical services necessary to complete conservation practices. Funding may be available to the program participant to reimburse part or all of the costs associated with using TSP services. Additional information on TSP registration and certification is found on this page as well as on the USDA/NRCS TechReg website.

How to Become a TSP

To certify as a TSP, access TechReg, and complete NRCS online training, you will need a USDA user ID account and password. This process is known as eAuthentication. Instructions for establishing an e-government account are available on this page.

Once you have completed the registration process for your eAuthentication account, you will have to go to a local USDA Service Center and ask to be entered into the Service Center Information Management System (SCIMS). Your identity must be validated using a picture ID. Once your account has been activated, you will be able to log-in to TechReg using the user ID and password you created. (See a map and find NRCS offices in Iowa.).

Technical Service Providers Handshake Certification in a specific category is dependent on meeting specific educational, experience and training criteria. NRCS has online training available at AgLearn to assist the applicant in meeting TSP category requirements. AgLearn use requires an eAuthentication account, but also requires the completion of the AgLearn registration process. Instructions for AgLearn registration are available on this page. National certification requirements for some TSP categories may include completion of state-specific classroom training.

TSP certification should be completed prior to the commencement of work activities. TSP certification information, checklists and fact sheets are available below. You may register to become a Technical Service Provider through the TechReg website at http://techreg.usda.gov.

Producer Reimbursement for Using TSP Services

A program participant is always given the option of utilizing the services of a TSP, however, reimbursement for part, or all, of the cost of hiring a TSP is dependent upon available funding. In addition, the program participant must hire a service provider who has completed the USDA/NRCS TSP Certification process and who is certified in the correct category for the completed work.

TSP Contacts in Iowa

TSP Coordinator	eAuthentication Coordinator	AgLearn Manager
Judy Martinson 210 Walnut Street Room 693 Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-323-2229 Fax: 515-284-4767 judy.martinson@ia.usda.gov	Roy Campbell 210 Walnut Street Room 693 Des Moines, IA 50309 Phone: 515-284-4353 Fax: 515-284-4394 roy.campbell@ia.usda.gov	Dick Tremain 210 Walnut Street Room 693 Des Moines, IA 50309 Fax: 515-284-4394 dick.tremain@ia.usda.gov

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Calendar of Events
Available Training Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center The National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center hosts monthly live web cast seminars on animal manure issues. Go to http://www.extension.org/animal+manure+management to learn more. CEU credit may be available to members of specific organizations. For more information regarding CEU credit, click on http://www.extension.org/pages/Continuing_Education_Units_Available_Through_The_Livestock_and_Poultry. For additional information, contact Rick Koelsch, Ag & natural Resources Program Leader, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, 211 Ag Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0703, 402-472-2966, 402-472-5557 (fax); rkoelsch1@unl.edu. April Webcast: The speakers for April’s webcast on “Antibiotics and Hormones in Animal Manure: Managing Potential Environmental Risks” are Linda Lee, Purdue University, Jessica Davis, Colorado State, and Keith Loftin, US Geological Survey. More... Information on how to access the virtual meeting room is available at http://www.extension.org/pages/How_Do_I_Participate_in_a_Webcast%3F
TSP Certification Opportunities for CCA's Iowa is participating in a pilot project to certify TSPs who are currently certified as Iowa CCAs. The pilot is designed to simplify the certification process for qualified TSPs who are well versed in the NRCS planning process. Contact the Iowa TSP Coordinator or Barb Stewart, the Iowa NRCS State Agronomist, at 323-2260 for more details.
Announcements NEW RUSLE2 version 1.26.6.4 April 30, 2007 – New version (1.26.6.4) of the RUSLE2 program has been released. New energy calculator functions have been added to the new version in addition to several additional updates. These new functions are contained in a new fuels folder and every field operation has been revised to include new diesel fuel equivalent values. Changes have also been made to several RUSLE2 database for all Iowa counties. Instruction for downloading and installing the new RUSLE2 program and updating your RUSLE2 database are available at the Iowa NRCS homepage. This RUSLE2 Version 1.26.6.4 is the current acceptable erosion tool to be used in Iowa. It should to be loaded on all machines that are using RULSE2. All of the older versions are to be removed to avoid accidental use of the older version.
Certification Aides	TSP Forms
Iowa TSP Certification Checklists Updated 2/5/08 This document will provide you with a convenient method for identifying TSP certification requirements and tracking your progress in completing the option criteria for certification. eAuthentication Guidesheet This document has step-by-step instructions for obtaining USDA eAuthentication. Reset Your eAuthentication Password Follow these instructions to reset your password should you lose or forget it. AgLearn Guidesheet Many TSP categories utilized in Iowa require completion of NRCS courses prior to certification. This Guidesheet will lead you through the process of registering on AgLearn and loading courses on to your Learning Plan. Re-Certification Checklist Every 3 years a TSP must recertify if they desire to continue working as a TSP. This checklist will walk you through the re-certification process. Print it out several months prior to your certification renewal deadline as category options may have changed since you initially certified. Iowa TSP Verification Process This document provides you with information on the documentation that you will need to provide to the TSP Coordinator prior to certification in Iowa. TechReg Step-by-Step Guide A National TSP guide for certification 5 Easy Steps to Certification A National TSP guide for certification TSP Process Guide Sheet TSP Process To open this PowerPoint file, right click on the link, save target as..., name and save file where desired, open the file where saved. TSP Categories and Practice Matrix Business Registration New! Making Changes to a Business on TechReg (3 MB, To open this PowerPoint file, right click on the link, save target as..., name and save file where desired, open the file where saved.) Navigating the TSP Business Profile on TechReg	TSP State-Specific Training Extension Request Form Notice to Participant Regarding TSP Assistance TSP PRS Data Entry Worksheet TSP Notification & Agreement on Release of Information Quality Assurance Certification of Service Form CCC-36 (Assignment of Payment) English Spanish SF-1199A (Direct Deposit Form) English Spanish
	Newsletters
	TSP Express IMMAG News April 2008 Issue: National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center
	TSP Fact Sheets
	Iowa TSP Fact Sheet TSP Assistance Fact Sheet—Information for Producers TSP Assistance Fact Sheet– Information for TSPs TSP Assistance Fact Sheet-Information for NRCS employees CNMP Fact Sheet
	Misc.
	Web Soil Survey Glossary of Selected Terms NMP Checklist CNMP Checklist RUSLE2 Information for Iowa TSP Legal Responsibilities & Liability National Environmental Policy Act Freedom of Information Act IMMAG - Iowa Manure Management Action Group: Find information on Manure management planning, permits, regulations; current news and legislation; publications and reports; as well as other items of interest regarding manure management. IowaDNR Animal Feeding Operations: Find manure management forms and regulations on this Iowa Department of Nature Resources website.
	Handbooks
	TSP Handbook TSP Handbook - Introduction TSP Handbook - Responsibilities TSP Handbook - Certification TSP Handbook - Technology and Training TSP Handbook - Accountability TSP Handbook - Table of Contents Acquisition of and Payment for Technical Services Iowa Field Office Technical Guide with Practice Standards NRCS Policy, Manuals, Directives, Handbooks & Tech Notes
TSP National Guidance	TSP Policy
Changes to the TSP Certification Agreement How to Temporarily Remove Your Name from the TSP Registry TSP Final Rule New Guidance for NRCS Partners entering the TSP Marketplace	GM 180, Part 409.11 Iowa TSP CNMP Training and Waiver Policy GM 180, Part 409.10 Iowa State-Specific Training Extension Policy and Form 330-MGT-Staff Assistance to Technical Service Providers 180-CPA-Guidance on Reimbursement Requirements for Using Technical Service Providers Processing CNMP Payments and File Documentation (Revised 1/17/08) Obtaining Names of Producers with EQIP Contracts EQIP CNMP Plan Incentive Payment - Bulletin IA300-7-3 2007 Iowa CNMP Development Cost Share Rates Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act of 1974 National Guidelines for NRCS Roles and Responsibilities 2008 TSP Exception Rates for CNMP Manure & Wastewater Handling Facilities Certification of Engineered Third Party Structures (i.e. hoop buildings) New! 2008 EQIP Cost List - Developing a CNMP Total Plan New!
Field Office Tools
Field Office Directions for Adding a TSP Business to SCIMS (2 MB) Heartland Regional Water Quality Initiative Pre-Planning Meeting Guidance (1.7 MB, To open this PowerPoint file, right click on the link, save target as..., name and save file where desired, open the file where saved.) Producer File Requirements Processing Farm Bill Payment Packet Processing CNMP Payments and File Documentation (Revised 1/17/08) 2008 EQIP Financial Assistance Payment Guidelines Certification of Engineered Third Party Structures (i.e. hoop buildings) New! IMMAG - Iowa Manure Management Action Group: Find information on Manure management planning, permits, regulations; current news and legislation; publications and reports; as well as other items of interest regarding manure management. IowaDNR Animal Feeding Operations: Find manure management forms and regulations on this Iowa Department of Nature Resources website.