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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

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 HandshakeCertification 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 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.

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
Microsoft Word DocumentIowa 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.

Microsoft Word DocumenteAuthentication Guidesheet
  • This document has step-by-step instructions for obtaining USDA eAuthentication.

Adobe AcrobatReset Your eAuthentication Password 
  • Follow these instructions to reset your password should you lose or forget it.
Microsoft WordAgLearn 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. 

Microsoft WordRe-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.

Adobe AcrobatTechReg Step-by-Step Guide
  • A National TSP guide for certification

Adobe Acrobat5 Easy Steps to Certification
  • A National TSP guide for certification

Microsoft WordTSP Process Guide Sheet

Microsoft PowerPointTSP 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.

Adobe AcrobatTSP Categories and Practice Matrix

Business Registration   New!
Newsletters
TSP Fact Sheets
Misc.
Handbooks
TSP National Guidance TSP Policy
Field Office Tools


 

Last Modified: 04/17/2008