The University of Illinois Extension has scheduled workshops for 2017 in order to provide local livestock producers with the training they need to meet the requirements of the Livestock Management Facilities Act.
In the state of Illinois, there are requirements for the design, construction and operation of livestock management and livestock waste-handling facilities under the legislation. These workshops were created to educate professionals on all of the guidelines and help them earn livestock certification.
The workshops will be held in eight locations throughout the state, including Springfield, Sycamore, Freeport, and the State Fairgrounds. The workshops will begin on January 31, 2017, and continue through February 23, 2017. Each one will take approximately three-and-a-half hours and are set to begin at 8:30 a.m. At the end, an Illinois Department of Agriculture exam will be administered to attendees.
Registration for the workshops will begin on December 1, 2016. Individuals can register online or call the University of Illinois for more information. The registration fee is $35.00, and $25.00 for each individual from the same farm who signs up for the workshop.
Attendees who do not attend a workshop can take five online quizzes for educational purposes. However, they must still pass a state-administered Certified Livestock Manager exam. There is no charge for professionals who opt for the online quizzes.
All of the workshops will be based on the instructional manual for the National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship curriculum. More information on the workshop materials and courses can be found online or through the University of Illinois.