Nutrient Management Technical Service Provider Certification Program

• Introduction
• Who needs to certify?
• Application Process
• Training Requirements
• Program Contact Information

Documents and Helpful Links

• Nutrient Management Technical Service Provider Certification Rule
• Nutrient Management Technical Service Provider Certification Application Form

Introduction 

Pursuant to 6 V.S.A. § 4810, the Secretary of Agriculture is charged with adopting, implementing and enforcing agricultural land use practices to satisfy the requirements of 33 U.S.C. § 1329 through identifying and implementing best management practices to control nonpoint sources of agricultural waste to waters of the State. Vermont Statute 6 V.S.A. § 4989 gave the Secretary of Agriculture the responsibility to adopt by rule a process by which a nutrient management technical service provider shall be certified to operate within the State. The Technical Service Provider (TSP) Certification Rule went into effect on December 20, 2024.

The TSP Certification Rule establishes procedures and standards to certify consultants in Vermont to prepare and maintain nutrient management plans and related farm operation permitting and certification materials. The TSP certification program is designed to ensure that farms in Vermont use nutrient management plans that meet the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) Conservation Practice Standard for Nutrient Management Code 590, the Required Agricultural Practices, the Medium and Small Farm Operation Rules for Issuance of General and Individual Permits, and Large Farm Operations Rules and Permits. 

A nutrient management technical service provider shall not create a nutrient management plan for a farm in Vermont unless certified by the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. 

Who needs to certify? 

Technical service providers preparing and maintaining nutrient management plans for farms in Vermont that they do not own, lease, or manage to satisfy water quality requirements. A nutrient management TSP shall not create a nutrient management plan for a farm in Vermont unless certified by the Agency.

Definitions

Agency means the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

Technical Service Provider (TSP) means a person who is compensated for preparing a nutrient management plan or providing related consulting services to a farm they do not own, lease, or manage to satisfy water quality requirements, including the RAPs, MFO Rules and Permits and LFO Rules and Permits. 

Application Process

To obtain nutrient management TSP Certification from the Agency, a TSP shall be actively certified in Vermont to provide technical services for USDA NRCS 590 Standard or other relevant conservation practices by the USDA NRCS.

What is the application process?

1. submit a Nutrient Management Technical Service Provider Certification Application Form to the Agency
2. the Agency will review and confirm active status with USDA NRCS
3. the Agency will respond in writing whether the application was approved or denied

Training Requirements

Certified TSPs shall complete eight hours of training in each five-year period of certification. Training records shall be preserved and maintained in a manner prescribed by the Secretary. Completing all five-year training requirements satisfies the requirements for recertification. Trainings shall provide information regarding:  

(a) calculating manure and agricultural waste generation; 

(b) taking soil and manure samples; 

(c) identifying and creating maps of all natural resource features; 

(d) use of erosion calculation tools; 

(e) reconciling plans using records; 

(f) use of nutrient index tools; and 

(g) requirements within the RAPs, MFO Rules and Permits, and LFO Rules and Permits. 

Contact

Statewide Permitting and Nutrient Management Staff 

Brittany Cole:  802-522-7413  |  Brittany.Cole@vermont.gov