Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
12/04/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, (515) 294-9590, amrieck@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Confinement Manure Applicator Training Scheduled
Confinement site manure applicators should plan to attend a two-hour continuing education workshop offered by Iowa State University (ISU) Extension in January or February 2003 to maintain applicator certification requirements.
"Iowa law requires confinement site manure applicators to obtain two hours of continuing education each year of their three-year certification period or take and pass an exam once every three years," said Angela Rieck-Hinz, ISU extension program specialist and coordinator of the manure applicator certification program. "If applicators fail to get the two hours of continuing education each year, they will be required to pass a written exam to become recertified at the end of 3-year certification cycle."
Applicators who were originally certified in 1999 by attending a workshop and who missed one or more years of training since that time will be receiving a letter from the IDNR telling them they must take the exam to recertify. The letter will include exam dates and locations. To help those who must test to recertify, the study guide manual is now available on the Web at: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/PM1779/homepage.html.
During the workshop, which must be attended for the full two hours to receive credit, applicators will learn about new manure application rules, new land application setback requirements, phosphorus issues and water quality concerns.
The workshop will also serve as initial certification for those applicants who are not currently certified. Due to rule changes this year, applicators should determine if they need to become certified. If a confinement livestock operation has more than a 500 animal unit capacity, the operator must be certified to apply manure unless the manure is applied by a commercial manure applicator. To determine if you have more than 500 animal units contact your ISU Extension county office. The certification fee is $100 for a three-year certificate.
Due to new uniform certification deadlines, applicators are encouraged to attend workshops prior to March 1 to avoid being assessed a late fee for certification. Also, applicators are highly encouraged to attend the workshops due to the uncertainty of when the videotapes will be available for training in late January and February.
If you have questions about your certification status or about meeting dates and locations, contact your local ISU Extension county office or go to: http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.