March 29, 2024

Statewide commercial-manure applicator training planned Jan. 5

AMES – Commercial-manure applicators may attend annual training to meet commercial-manure applicator certification requirements on Thursday, Jan. 5.

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct commercial-manure applicator training from 9 a.m. to noon at 75 locations in Iowa, including Union County. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

There is no fee for the workshop, but applicators must register by Dec. 28 with the ISU Extension and Outreach county office where they plan to attend. Register with Union County Extension by calling 641-782-8426 or by emailing tkelley@iastate.edu. See a complete list of workshop locations at http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/certification/macprogrampostcard.pdf.

Commercial manure applicators needing to recertify and those wanting to certify for the first time should attend. All currently certified commercial-manure applicator licenses will expire March 1. Those wanting to renew must complete training requirements and submit forms and fees to the DNR prior to March 1 to avoid paying late fees. The law requires all commercial manure applicators to attend three hours of training annually to meet certification requirements. Businesses that primarily truck or haul manure of any type or from any source are also required to meet certification requirements.

Those unable to attend the program Jan. 5 need to schedule time with their ISU Extension and Outreach county office to watch the training DVD. Due to scheduling conflicts, many extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch these DVDs but do offer scheduled dates and times to provide this training. For those unable to attend training during one of the scheduled reshow dates, a $10 fee will be charged to view the training at their convenience. If attending the workshops or watching the three-hour DVD is not convenient, commercial applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam. Another option for commercial-manure applicators is to take their training online at DNR MAC eLearning site at https://elearning-dnr.iowa.gov/.

In addition to the commercial-manure applicator training offered Jan. 5, ISU Extension and Outreach will offer six dry/solid manure workshops for commercial-manure applicators in February. Information regarding these workshops and locations is also contained in the link to the brochure listed above. Program requirements are the same as the regular commercial training program, but this training program is geared more toward dry/solid manure issues.

For more information, contact an ISU Extension and Outreach county office or visit the Iowa Manure Management Action Group website at http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html.