Summary: Seed conditioners play a unique role in modern seed production. Conditioners have the power to increase the quality of poor seed, and decrease the quality of good seed. While a grower has the ability to fine tune the conditions under which the seed crop is grown with fertilizer and water inputs, pest control and tillage to maximize quality, it is up to the conditioner to create the highest quality product out of what they are given. This course is second in a series which will walk you through foundational concepts of seed conditioning. 

Summary:  Seed conditioners process, handle and store seed. All these actions may influence the quality of the seed and therefore the conditioner may share in potential liability should the seed quality be compromised, contaminated or damaged during possession. Documenting the contents of seed received helps protect the conditioner from potential liability.   Seed sampling should occur at multiple stages of receiving, processing and handling; it is important to select a representative sample of a seed lot. When a sample is created and viewed by conditioning personnel or sent to a testing laboratory the results obtained from the test are used to indicate the overall quality of the entire lot, make decisions as to what machinery should be used and eventually how to label the finished product. As a result, using a careful and representative method of sampling is required. This course is fourth in a series which will walk you through foundational concepts of seed conditioning. 

Upskill Credentials: If you finish the entire course including passing the quiz with a score of 80% or better (which you can take up to 3 times) and filling out the short 5 mins feedback survey, then you will earn a badge certificate of completion.  This course has been approved for 2 Crop Management CEUs through the national Certified Crop Adviser program.

Acknowledgements: This online micro-credential upskilling course is offered through the CSU Ag Upskilling program. This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2023-38640-39571 through the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under project number WPDP24-021. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Note:  This section is for high school students only.  Please contact Deana for more information at deana-namuth.covert@colostate.edu.

Summary:  Seed that comes from the field is never pure, it contains sticks, stems, debris, soil, weed and other crop seeds, trash, and insects. In its simplest form, conditioning is the process of cleaning the seed and removing impurities and contaminates so that the end user receives pure, high-quality seed ready for planting.  This course is first in a series which will walk you through foundational concepts of seed conditioning. 

Upskill Credentials: If you finish the entire course including passing the quiz with a score of 80% or better (which you can take up to 3 times) and filling out the short 5 mins feedback survey, then you will earn a badge certificate of completion.  This course has been approved for 2 Crop Management CEUs through the national Certified Crop Adviser program.

Time Required: We estimate it will take you 2 hours in total to complete the course.  You can work on it at your own pace and do not have to complete it in one setting. Click on the eBook link below to begin. 

ADA Accessibility: We have done our best to follow ADA best practices. Let us know if you run into any problems or require further accommodations.

If you have any questions, please contact your instructor, Laura Pottorff, M.S., Director of Seed Program at: Laura.Pottorff@colostate.edu 

Acknowledgements: This online micro-credential upskilling course is offered through the CSU Ag Upskilling program.  Development of this content was supported in part by funding from SyncUp Colorado, administered by Colorado State University (2022).  

Note:  This section is for high school students only.  Please contact Deana for more information at deana-namuth.covert@colostate.edu.

Summary:  This lesson discusses the importance of plant breeding through history, how one would recognize if the seed they are conditioning is protected by intellectual property rights; and more importantly, what are the mandatory best practices for seed conditioners when handling plant variety protected seed. This course is third in a series which will walk you through foundational concepts of seed conditioning. 

Upskill Credentials: If you finish the entire course including passing the quiz with a score of 80% or better (which you can take up to 3 times) and filling out the short 5 mins feedback survey, then you will earn a badge certificate of completion.  This course has been approved for 2 Crop Management CEUs through the national Certified Crop Adviser program.

Time Required: We estimate it will take you 2 hours in total to complete the course.  You can work on it at your own pace and do not have to complete it in one setting. Click on the eBook link below to begin. 

ADA Accessibility: We have done our best to follow ADA best practices. Let us know if you run into any problems or require further accommodations.

If you have any questions, please contact your instructor, Laura Pottorff, M.S., Director of Seed Program at: Laura.Pottorff@colostate.edu 

Acknowledgements: This online micro-credential upskilling course is offered through the CSU Ag Upskilling program. This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2023-38640-39571 through the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under project number WPDP24-021. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Note:  This section is for high school students only.  Please contact Deana for more information at deana-namuth.covert@colostate.edu.

Summary:  The Seed industry exists to provide high quality seed to farmers and growers. The value of seed is a measure of its ability to establish the desired field stand at low planting rates, grow into plants which are high-yielding, healthy, and the established type.  The livelihood of farmers and the ultimate health of communities relies on the ability of seed to perform and grow into a crop that can be harvested and eaten.  A system of laws and regulations has developed over time to protect societies and food systems from liability and risk.  A seed conditioner must understand the system of laws and regulations in place, ensure that the conditioning plant and its operation are maintaining seed varietal identity through the entire process and avoid introduction of contaminants. This course is fifth in a series which will walk you through foundational concepts of seed conditioning. 

Upskill Credentials: If you finish the entire course including passing the quiz with a score of 80% or better (which you can take up to 3 times) and filling out the short 5 mins feedback survey, then you will earn a badge certificate of completion.  This course has been approved for 2 Crop Management CEUs through the national Certified Crop Adviser program.

Acknowledgements: This online micro-credential upskilling course is offered through the CSU Ag Upskilling program.  This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2024-68018-42796, administered by Colorado State University.  USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

           

Note:  This section is for high school students only.  Please contact Deana for more information at deana-namuth.covert@colostate.edu.

Summary: Seed can serve as a pathway for introducing plant diseases and other pests to new environments and new countries. The risk to agriculture is very high should a new pathogen become introduced and established in an important crop.  Seed of over 300 species of plants are moved globally, often several times before being sold commercially.  Therefore, the removal or management of seed borne disease is imperative to protect global agriculture and trade. This course is seventh in a series which will walk you through foundational concepts of seed conditioning. 

Upskill Credentials: If you finish the entire course including passing the quiz with a score of 80% or better (which you can take up to 3 times) and filling out the short 5 mins feedback survey, then you will earn a badge certificate of completion.  This course has been approved for 2 Integrated Pest Management CEUs through the national Certified Crop Adviser program.

Time Required: We estimate it will take you 2 hours in total to complete the course.  You can work on it at your own pace and do not have to complete it in one setting. Click on the eBook link below to begin. 

ADA Accessibility: We have done our best to follow ADA best practices. Let us know if you run into any problems or require further accommodations.

If you have any questions, please contact your instructor, Laura Pottorff, M.S., Director of Seed Program at: Laura.Pottorff@colostate.edu 

Acknowledgements: This online micro-credential upskilling course is offered through the CSU Ag Upskilling program.  This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2024-68018-42796, administered by Colorado State University.  USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

           

Summary: Seed can serve as a pathway for introducing plant diseases and other pests to new environments and new countries. The risk to agriculture is very high should a new pathogen become introduced and established in an important crop.  Seed of over 300 species of plants are moved globally, often several times before being sold commercially.  Therefore, the removal or management of seed borne disease is imperative to protect global agriculture and trade. This course is seventh in a series which will walk you through foundational concepts of seed conditioning. 

Upskill Credentials: If you finish the entire course including passing the quiz with a score of 80% or better (which you can take up to 3 times) and filling out the short 5 mins feedback survey, then you will earn a badge certificate of completion.  This course has been approved for 2 Integrated Pest Management CEUs through the national Certified Crop Adviser program.

Time Required: We estimate it will take you 1-2 hours in total to complete the course.  You can work on it at your own pace and do not have to complete it in one setting. Click on the eBook link below to begin. 

ADA Accessibility: We have done our best to follow ADA best practices. Let us know if you run into any problems or require further accommodations.

If you have any questions, please contact your instructor, Laura Pottorff, M.S., Director of Seed Program at: Laura.Pottorff@colostate.edu 

Acknowledgements: This online micro-credential upskilling course is offered through the CSU Ag Upskilling program.  This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2024-68018-42796, administered by Colorado State University.  USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

           

Online 4-H Crop Production Lessons for Grades 4-8: Soil-based and Soilless Systems

Earth’s population growth and concurrent decline in farmland pose great challenges for food security across our planet.¹ The challenge of how to feed 9.9 billion people calls for new methods to grow and distribute food.² Having access to fresh and nutritious food is a basic need for all people. We invite youth to be learners and leaders who meet these challenges with a new vision for crop production that combines soil-based and soilless farming.

To engage youth in these global challenges, WVU Extension Service, Iowa State University Extension, and PLANTS, LLC have partnered to create a series of online lessons. Youth can gain a foundation by digging deep into crop growth and development in conventional and hydroponic systems. Youth learners in this online program will also explore their role and possible career opportunities in sustainable agriculture and ag technology.

Questions that students will explore in the online lessons include:

• How do plant seeds differ in terms of germination rates, structures, and plant types? 
• What type of plant maintenance is important for each stage of plant growth?
• How does light intensity and duration affect photosynthesis? 
• What are key elements of a healthy soil, and how does soil quality affect plant growth? 
• When are soilless plant production systems good alternatives to soil-based farming?
• What plant growth strategies can be used to conserve water? 
• How can farmers apply new plant growth technologies to increase crop yield and integrate sustainable agricultural practices?

1 Read more about world population growth projections presented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) at: https://sdg.iisd.org/news/world-population-to-reach-9-9-billion-by-2050/

2 Read more about New and Emerging Technology for High Quality and Sustainable Horticulture Production in Gonnella, M., & Renna, M. (2021). The evolution of soilless systems towards ecological sustainability in the perspective of a circular economy. Is it really the opposite of organic culture? Agronomy 2021, 11(5), 950; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11050950.

An on-line module on breeding hybrid crops, focusing on logistics and strategies used by hybrid breeders to create and identify genetically superior hybrids that bring value to producers and end users. The module stresses a comprehensive, end-to-end view of hybrid breeding beginning with seed in breeding inventories, passing through all stages of breeding, including recombination, evaluation, and seed increases, to the final production of commercial seed. Underlying genetic theory is minimally touched upon, with module focusing on practical decisions that must be made on the structure, logistics, and management of a hybrid breeding program.

This self-directed course is for producers with seed production experience, seed industry professionals, and extension professionals. This course will provide practical field-based knowledge and present current research on organic seed production practices. This course covers the fundamentals of seed production for onions, beets and chard, brassicas, carrots, and wet seeded crops. It will also cover climatic requirements for seed crops, important diseases, and seed quality. For information contact Jared Zystro, Organic Seed Alliance, at jared@seedalliance.org

Course Subject Matter Specialists

• Jodi Lew-Smith, High Mowing Seeds: Seed Diseases
• John Navazio, Organic Seed Alliance: Which Crops for Your Climate, Beets and Chard, Carrots
• Joel Reiten, Seeds of Change: Onions, Brassicas, Seed Quality
• Don Tipping, Siskiyou Seeds: Lettuce, Wet Seeded Crops
• Shelly Solomon, Leaping Frog Films: Videographer
• Jared Zystro, Organic Seed Alliance: Online Tutorial Developer

This course is free. 

This course is open to:  

• Researchers
• Organizations (including community-based and health systems)
• Decision-makers
• Project teams (including coalitions) who plan to use stakeholder-engaged research, to create research priorities or agendas. 
• Community members

The Stakeholder Engagement in quEstion Development and prioritization (SEED) Method is a multi-stakeholder approach to engaging communities in research, problem solving, and action planning. 

Developed by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech, SEED provides a framework for collaborative research and action planning that can be scaled up or down depending on project resources and goals.

By the end of this course you will be able to …

• Understand how to apply the SEED Method to your collaborative projects
• Understand how to use and find SEED Method participatory tools  
• Understand the roles of the community-based participatory Research Team and Topic Groups 
• Understand how to utilize the following SEED Method participatory tools: stakeholder matrices, conceptual modeling, strategy development and prioritization

We are also on Connect Extension! For more information on the SEED Method, visit our site and join our SEED Method subgroup on Connect Extension at https://seed.extension.org/

The target audience is the college graduate level learner and agriculture professionals.

Teachers include: P. Stephen Baenziger, Leah Sandall, and Diane Nolan

For more information or to enroll contact Kathy Schindler at kschindler1@unl.edu or 402-472-1730