Facilitating Development of Certified Nutrient Management Plans with Undergraduate Interns: A University – USDA Collaboration.

The need for Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs) for farmers in WV exceeds the capacity of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide them. To address this issue and to train the next generation of agricultural professionals West Virginia University and WVU Extension Service entered into a cooperative agreement with WV-USDA-NRCS to place undergraduate interns in NRCS Field Offices, in or near their home county, to help with the development of CNMPs. Summer interns assist with sample collection and data entry into Manure Management Planner. Our early successes, progress and challenges with this novel project will be described.