Inspector Training Resources
This page will serve as an access point for training materials of use to KCIA field inspectors.
Time Sheet
To enter your time sheet online, click this Google Form.
Here is the form fillable time sheet. If you have Microsoft Word 2007 or newer, it will show the first field "Employee Name" in blue highlight, when you click in that area it will become a brighter blue color. It will then let you type, even though it doesn't show a flashing cursor for where you are. Be sure to use "Save As" with a unique name (such as including the date) for each time sheet or it will save over top of itself and you won't have a record for yourself. Please submit time sheets weekly by email. If you are having trouble with the form, here is a blank (print only) copy if needed.
Training Videos
If you have trouble viewing these videos, contact Marion. They are by no means great quality, but serve the purpose of showing you the basics.
NEW mp4 videos - Using your myfields inspector account to prep for and report a field inspection (2-part video) Part 1 Part 2
(Updated a little) InspectorTraining Slides - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 . I've added a Part 4 with additional pictures of interest to field inspectors. The inspector training slides cover some important aspects of conducting field inspection for seed certification, although the slides deal mainly with wheat, they are also largely pertinent for any small grain inspection i.e. rye fields, triticale fields, oat fields.Video - mp4 format. Introduction to the Galaxy Tab A and your inspector account.
Inspector Guidelines - As an inspector, you are required to be consistent in your activities so that all members for whom you conduct field inspections are treated similarly and fairly. The inspector guidelines are intended specifically for that purpose. They explain how what you see in the field is to be interpreted.
Inspector Handbook - Some background on KCIA, Seed Law, and some hints and how-tos on taking plant counts and completing the report.
Certification Standards - Each crop has standards that are specific to each though overall very similar to each other. Standards for each crop, i.e. wheat, oat, soybean, sorghum are located in the . It is important to review and understand the standards for each crop you inspect.
Wheat Standards - these are the wheat standards that are excerpted from the certification standards above. For lesser crops such as oat, triticale, and others refer to the specific standards in the certification standards prior to inspecting.
2024 Variety Descriptors - An important aspect of field inspection is verifying to the best of our ability that the variety planted in the field is indeed what it is supposed to be. Some characters are obvious such as chaff color (is it the color it is supposed to be) and others take some discerning, such as shoulder shape and beak length.
It is important to realize that these descriptors are used to verify that the crop matches the description it should, (i.e. a field that is supposed to be LCS Chrome wheat should match the description for LCS Chrome in the list. Absolute identification is difficult because there are several varieties that have the same description. However, the pieces of the puzzle should make sense, for instance, the inspector can easily verify chaff color and realize that it is not red or white or tan like its suppose to be. Be sure to confirm that the crop matches the description it should, and if it doesn't and you've made sure you are at the correct field, then the field is rejected, and you should check with the grower in case he/she listed the wrong variety on the application.