Extension Foundation Online Campus
Search results: 532

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?
This project is made possible by support from NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium. Students will explore soil-based as well as soilless (hydroponic) agriculture methods used locally and as part of NASA space science research. The Iowa State University 4-H program shared material from their Crops Feed the World online lessons in support of this project.
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.
- Administrator: Karen Cox
- Administrator: Maya Hayslett
- Administrator: Laurie Ruberg
The audience for this course includes individuals who are considering starting an agriculture or natural resource based business, but who aren't sure where to start.
Growing Places will help you develop a comprehensive goal statement; explore and evaluate opportunities and resources; and become familiar with programs that can help you get started. There is no requirement to complete a business plan but you will become familiar with the components of a business plan should you choose to complete one.
For more information please contact: Mary Peabody - mary.peabody@uvm.edu or Beth Holtzman - beth.holtzman@uvm.edu.
The fee for this course is $100. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button:
- Teacher: Beth Holtzman
- Teacher: Mary Peabody
In the 'Growing Raspberries and Blackberries with IPM' course, Master Gardeners will learn the best maintenance techniques for growing brambles, including insect and disease management. This course places special emphasis on a new insect pest, the spotted wing drosophila.
Once you register for the class, you will have unlimited time to complete the work at your own pace. Once you have completed this course and received a certificate, you will receive Master Gardener credit worth 3 CEUs.
For more information, contact Mary Meyer University of Minnesota, at meyer023@umn.edu
- Teacher: Mary Meyer
In the 'Growing Squash, Cucumbers and Pumpkins with IPM' course, Master Gardeners will learn about growing cucurbits, including plant selection and insect and disease management.
Once you register for the class, you will have unlimited time to complete the work at your own pace. Once you have completed this course and received a certificate, you will receive Master Gardener credit worth 3 CEUs.
For more information, contact: Mary Meyer, University of Minnesota, meyer023@umn.edu
- Teacher: Mary Meyer
Growing Strawberries with IPM is an online course for Master Gardeners looking for further certification or home gardeners. Students will learn the basics on what to consider when planting strawberries, as well as IPM-based strategies for controlling common pests and diseases.Once you have completed this course and received a certificate, you will receive Master Gardener credit.
For information or to enroll contact:
Mary Meyer, meyer023@umn.edu or
Echo Martin, mart1794@umn.edu with University of Minnesota
- Teacher: Vera Krischik
- Teacher: Mary Meyer
Growing Tomatoes with IPM is designed for Master Gardeners who will learn how to prevent pests on tomatoes from the beginning to the end of the growing season through lessons on variety selection, best planting practices, and cultural information and will be instructed on how to recognize leaf spots, early and late blight and bacterial spot.
Once you register for the class, you will have unlimited time to complete the work at your own pace. Once you have completed this course and received a certificate, you will receive Master Gardener credit worth 3 CEUs.
For more information, contact: Mary Meyer, University of Minnesota, meyer023@umn.edu
- Teacher: Mary Meyer

Aloha! Welcome to the Hawaii Interisland Livestock Shipper Certification training. This training module will briefly cover best management practices for interisland ocean transport of livestock in the state of Hawaii. This certification is required for any shipper transporting livestock via Young Brothers, Ltd. Certification training is free and will be valid for 3 years from date the course is completed. Questions regarding the topics covered in this module should be directed to your course facilitators, county livestock extension agent, livestock commodity group, or Young Brothers. Mahalo for your time, effort, and commitment as a livestock shipper to help improve the transportation practices here in Hawaii.
- Facilitator : Nicole Galase
- Facilitator : Jenee Odani
- Facilitator : Melelani Oshiro
Health Check: Get Proactive with Your Well-Being is a self-paced course designed to provide you with the steps, considerations, and confidence to improve your overall health.
This course consists of 7 self-paced video modules that correspond with self-reflective activities.
In this course you will meet a variety of objectives targeted at improving your personal health and wellness including:
Gaining a better understanding of preventative care
Building confidence in advocating for your own health
Creating goals to improve upon your own health
It is recommended to complete this course in sequential order of 7 modules, within a month, however you may self-select content at your own pace. A certificate of completion will be awarded with completion of all 7 modules.
Other notes:
Participation in this course is free of charge. This course is intended for any adult looking to gain insight into their own personal health.
This course will be available year round and is delivered asynchronously, but will be unavailable September 15th thru October 1st for annual maintenance.
- Teacher: Sarah Goldring
- Teacher: Alyssa Whittaker
This course is for child care providers. This 30-minute online class is a fun and interactive way to learn about the latest recommendations for healthy beverages for children and help child care providers meet the requirements of the California Healthy Beverages in Child Care Act (AB 2084). It includes videos, short quizzes, activities, and covers topics such as milk, types of fruit juice, drinking water, and reading a nutrition label. A professional development certificate will be provided upon completion. The course is free for child care providers located in California and available for child care providers outside of California for a $15 fee.
- Teacher: Danielle Lee
If you wish to purchase this course, please click the following button:
- Teacher: Danielle Lee

Course overview
This course covers several calibration methods and various types of equipment used for managing both herbaceous and woody weeds across many of California’s different ecosystems. This course is available for free. The course contains video so it requires a device that can play audio and video.
Who should enroll?
Anyone who works with herbicide application equipment for controlling woody and herbaceous weeds in non-agricultural areas.
Continuing Education Units
California Department of Pesticide Regulation (0.5 hour Laws & Regs and 1.5 hours Other).
Enrollment period
This course must be completed by December 30 of the current year. Download the certificate immediately when you complete the course. You will not be able to retrieve your certificate after December 30.
- Technical support: UC IPM Online Training Support

Recertification Credits are available for this course.
This
pesticide recertification course discusses the global, national, and
regional situation, regarding herbicide resistance. It covers prevention
strategies to try and avoid problems from herbicide resistance. The course also covers mitigation strategies to avoid resistance problems.
We will conclude by providing some resources for more information on
herbicide resistance.
This course has been approved by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) - Seminar #2024-634 for 1-ISDA pesticide credit.
If you have questions related to this course, please email: cals-ipm@uidaho.edu at University of Idaho Extension.
- Teacher: cals ipm
For more information contact Kathy Anderson (kanderson1@unl.edu) or Colleen Brady (bradyc@purdue.edu). The fee for this course is $60. You can purchase and enroll in this course by clicking the following button:
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Sarah Vos
The Gold level provides the subscriber unprecedented interaction with the instructions. In addition to all of the features provided at the Silver level, Gold subscribers will have access to a one hour live Zoom discussion with the instructor for each week. This live Zoom is a unique opportunity to interact directly with the instructors. Gold level subscribers also have unlimited access to all course material until December 31.
For more information contact Kathy Anderson (kanderson1@unl.edu) or Colleen Brady (bradyc@purdue.edu). The fee for this course is $150. You can purchase and enroll in this course by clicking the following button:
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
The Silver level provides subscribers access to all content from the Bronze level PLUS an interactive discussion board with each week of new material. The subscriber can post a question to the discussion board, and the instructor of the week will provide an individualized response to the question. Each week a new discussion board is available focused on that week’s material. Silver level subscribers also have access to all course material until November 31. Silver subscribers may upgrade to Gold at any time.
For more information contact Kathy Anderson (kanderson1@unl.edu) or Colleen Brady (bradyc@purdue.edu). The fee for this course is $110. You can purchase and enroll in the course by clicking the following button:
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Kris Hiney
This two-part workshop focuses on effective strategies for hiring and keeping employees. You will learn and practice skills for effective employee feedback methods that help employees optimize their talents. We'll also explore the role job descriptions
can play in both recruiting and managing employees, and you'll have a chance to start developing job descriptions for your crews for the coming season, and and feedback from educators and other participants. The workshop is part of the 2022 Farm Labor Dashboard Workshop Series, which
focuses on helping farmers build practical labor management knowledge and skills.
Session Format: Sessions will be delivered via Zoom. Connection information, along with additional resources and information will be available through the workshop site.
Fees. The workshop fee is $35. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button:
Scholarships and multi-session discounts are available for workshops offered through the 2022 Farm Labor Dashboard Workshop Series, reducing the workshop fee to $20. However, these options are only available for people who request – and receive approval for -- reduced fees in advance of registration and payment. To request either a multi-session discount or scholarship, please fill out this online form.
Please wait to register until you hear back from us via email. Decisions are generally made within 3 business days. If you are approved, you will receive a voucher code that you will use during the registration/payment process to activate a reduced registration fee for the workshops you indicated you wish to enroll in.
- Instructor: Beth Holtzman
- Instructor: Mary Peabody
- Instructor: Kenesha Reynolds
- Instructor: Seth Wilner
- Part 1 will cover:
- Unit 1- Horses Then and Now
- Unit 2- Horse Breeds and Uses
- Unit 3- Horse Identification
- Unit 4- Horse Conformation and Selection
- There are 4 units with 2 lessons each.
- At the end of each lesson you will test your knowledge by completing a quiz.
- After completing all four units you can take a the final quiz to earn a certificate in Horse- 101 Part 1.
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Dani Forster
- Part 2 will cover:
- Unit 5 -Horse Senses, Behaviors and Body Language
- Unit 6 - Horse Nutrition - Part 1
- Unit 7 - Horse Nutrition - Part 2
- Unit 8 - Equine Exercise Physiology
- There are 4 units with 2 lessons each.
- At the end of each lesson you will test your knowledge by completing a quiz.
- After completing all four units you can take a the final quiz to earn a certificate in Horse- 101 Part 2.
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Dani Forster

Welcome to the Horse Adult Leader Training and Educational Resource (HALTER)- Part 1.
This course is part of a four course series for Adult Volunteers working with youth in the horse industry. These courses can be taken in any order, based on your background knowledge and areas of interest. In Part 1, we will cover:
- Safety and Handling working with horses
- Safe Tack and Attire
- Basics of Horse Behavior
- Staying Safe working with Youth
The fee for a 12 month subscription for this course is $25, or $75 if you purchase all 4 HALTER courses. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.
If you purchase all 4 HALTER courses, enter the voucher code of 4Halter.
For more information contact:
Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu
Colleen Brady, Purdue University, at bradyc@purdue.edu
Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University, at khiney@okstate.edu
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Chelsie Huseman

Welcome to HALTER Level Two! This self-directed course designed for adults working with youth. This course builds upon the first level of the HALTER program. Participants will gain equine science information, student activities, and methods to promote
positive youth development from taking this course.
The fee for a 12 month subscription for this course is $25, or $75 if you purchase all 4 HALTER courses. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.
If you purchase all 4 HALTER courses, enter the voucher code of 4Halter.
For more information contact:
Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu
Colleen Brady, Purdue University, at bradyc@purdue.edu
Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University, at khiney@okstate.edu
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Chelsie Huseman

The Horse Adult Leader Training and Educational Resource Program Level Three module is a self-directed course designed for adults working with youth and horses who have completed levels one and two of the program. Participants will gain equine science information, student activities, and techniques to promote positive youth development from taking this course.
The fee for a 12 month subscription for this course is $25, or $75 if you purchase all 4 HALTER courses. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.
If you purchase all 4 HALTER courses, enter the voucher code of 4Halter.
For more information contact:
Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu
Colleen Brady, Purdue University, at bradyc@purdue.edu
Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University, at khiney@okstate.edu
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady

The Horse Adult Leader Training and Educational Resource Program Level Four module is a self-directed course designed for adults working with youth and horses who have completed the first three levels of the HALTER program. Participants will gain equine science information, student activities, and techniques to promote positive youth development from taking this course.
The fee for this course is $10. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.
The fee for a 12 month subscription for this course is $25, or $75 if you purchase all 4 HALTER courses. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.
If you purchase all 4 HALTER courses, enter the voucher code of 4Halter.
For more information contact:
Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu
Colleen Brady, Purdue University, at bradyc@purdue.edu
Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University, at khiney@okstate.edu
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Chelsie Huseman
This lesson compares and contrasts the different recreational and work-related uses of equine in the United States and globally. In addition, this lesson also explains how equine breeds are categorized and also discusses the history, unique physical properties, and uses of popular equine breeds.
For more information contact Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu
The fee for this course is $10. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following link:
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Betsy Greene
This lesson will cover basic health care practices such as taking vital signs and determining Body Condition Score and discuss preventative health care, lameness, and dental issues. By understanding the diseases and parasites that affect horses, better decisions can be made for vaccinating a horse and adjusting a horse's deworming plan as necessary. Lameness is a serious concern to horse owners because it limits the use and potential future uses of horses either in the short term or permanently. By understanding how lameness affects horses, better decisions can be made for managing a lameness issue as soon as it becomes apparent. The majority of lameness diagnosed in a horse occurs in their lower limbs, more so in their hoof. Having a general knowledge of the hoof is a helpful aide when treating a problem. By understanding how dental health affects horses, better decisions can be made for managing issues as soon as they become apparent. Being familiar with the causes behind colic will also help sort out when and in what conditions a horse is most susceptible to colic.
For more information contact Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu
The fee for this course is $10. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.
If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20.
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Betsy Greene
This course consists of three modules designed for people interested in judging horses for competitive contests, or as a start for those wishing to maybe become a horse show judge. In addition to the three modules (Introduction to Judging Contests, Judging
Halter (conformation), and Introduction to Oral Reasons. The course also contains a Starter Pack, with a variety of additional resources, and a link to Horse IQ, a highly interactive horse learning platform created by the American Paint Horse Association.
Purchasing this course for $90 provides access to these modules for 12 months. Should you want a 6-month subscription for $50, go to https://campus.extension.org/course/view.php?id=2268.
To purchase this 12-month subscription, click the following button.
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Dave Dellin
- Teacher: Kris Hiney
- Teacher: Danielle Smarsh
- Teacher: Craig Wood
This course consists of three modules designed for people interested in judging horses for competitive contests, or as a start for those wishing to maybe become a horse show judge. In addition to the three modules (Introduction to Judging Contests, Judging
Halter (conformation), and Introduction to Oral Reasons. The course also contains a Starter Pack, with a variety of additional resources, and a link to Horse IQ, a highly interactive horse learning platform created by the American Paint Horse Association.
Purchasing this course for $50 provides access to these modules for 6 months. Should you want a 12-month subscription for $90, go to https://campus.extension.org/course/view.php?id=1931.
To purchase this 6-month subscription, click the following button.
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
This is an online horse judging camp for anyone thinking about giving horse judging a try! The camp includes at-home assignments, reasons critique, 4 interactive virtual meetings, quizzes, and certificate of completion!
Experts from 3 universities will be online each session to discuss classes and interact with you.
Presenters include:
- Dr. Steven Cooper (Oklahoma State University Judging team coach, AQHA, VRH judge
- Dr. Kris Hiney (Oklahoma State University
Extension Horse Specialist)
- Dr. Colleen Brady (Purdue University Extension Horse Specialist)
- Dr. Kathy Anderson (University of Nebraska Judging team coach, AQHA, NSBA, APHA judge)
Topics/classes covered include:
- Conformation/Performance Halter
- Western Pleasure
- Hunter Under Saddle
- Judging non-stock type breeds
- Oral reasons with feedback!
Dates: February 20, 27, March 6, and 13, 2025
Time: 7 - 8:30 pm Eastern time: 6 – 7:30 pm Central time
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Kris Hiney

This series of practice classes, with questions, is available to anyone wishing to hone their judging skills.
Classes are :
1) Aged Stock Type Geldings
2) Performance Mares
3) Hunter Under Saddle
4) Trail
5) Western Riding
6) Ranch Riding
All classes are judges using AQHA rules, and official critiques, placings and cuts are available.
**Enrollment for this course gives you unlimited access to the content for 90 days from the date of enrollment.
The fee for this course is $20. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button:
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Kris Hiney

Six judging classes, with officials, questions and critiques. This course is designed to offer practice classes for judging team coaches, or youth, to practice their horse judging skills. Classes include 1) Performance Halter Mares, 2) Performance Halter Geldings, 3 )Trail 4) Western Pleasure, 5) Ranch Pleasure, and 6) Hunt Seat Equitation. All classes are judges using AQHA/APHA rules, and official critiques, placings and cuts are available.
Participants can repeat the classes as many times as they wish. This course is asynchronous, and can be completed at any time.
**Enrollment for this course gives you unlimited access to the content for 90 days from the date of enrollment.
The fee for this course is $20. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button:
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Kris Hiney

Six judging classes, with officials, questions and critiques. This course is designed to offer practice classes for judging team coaches, or youth, to practice their horse judging skills. This course has 6 performance classes to judge, all providing practice using scored judging systems. All classes are judges using AQHA/APHA rules, and official critiques, placings and cuts are available.
Participants can repeat the classes as many times as they wish. This course is asynchronous, and can be completed at any time.
**Enrollment for this course gives you unlimited access to the content for 90 days from the date of enrollment.
The fee for this course is $20. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button:
- Teacher: Kathy Anderson
- Teacher: Colleen Brady
- Teacher: Kris Hiney