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IA commercial manure applicator training Sept. 5

August 8, 2012, Ames, IA — Statewide training for commercial manure applicators will be conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on September 5, from 9 a.m. to noon. This training will be a reshow of the same program that was offered for training in January 2012.

This is an opportunity for commercial manure applicators that have not fulfilled their 2012 training to do so before the fall manure application season. Commercial manure applicators wishing to become certified for the first time may also attend. Applicators that have already attended training in 2012 do not need to attend.

Iowa law requires commercial manure applicators to attend three hours of annual training and to submit the appropriate forms and fees to the Iowa DNR to meet certification requirements. Those completing the training may apply manure prior to receiving the certification card in the mail, but commercial applicators should carry a copy of the signed paperwork with them until they receive their certification card to prove they have attended their annual training.

There is no fee for the training workshop but applicators must register with the county Extension office where they plan to attend by Aug. 29. Applicators should bring their driver’s license or a copy of their certification card.

The counties offering this training include:

• Adams – (641) 322-3184
• Allamakee – (563) 568-6345
• Black Hawk – (319) 234-6811
• Boone – (515) 432-3882
• Calhoun – (712) 297-8611
• Cedar – (563) 886-6157
• Cerro Gordo – (641) 423-0844
• Crawford – (712) 263-4697
• Dallas – (515) 993-4281
• Delaware – (563) 927-4201
• Des Moines – (319) 394-9433
• Dickinson – (712) 336-3488  
• Emmet – (712) 362-3434
• Greene – (515) 386-2138
• Guthrie – (641) 747-227
• Hamilton – (515) 832-9597
• Hardin – (641) 648-4850
• Harrison – (712) 644-2105
• Howard – (563) 547-3001
• Humboldt – (515) 332-2201
• Ida – (712) 364-3003
• Iowa – (319) 642-5504
• Jasper – (641) 792-6433
• Johnson – (319) 337-2145
• Keokuk –(641) 622-2680
• Louisa – (319) 523-2371
• Mitchell – (641) 732-5574
• O’Brien – (712) 957-5045
• Palo Alto – (712) 852-2865
• Pocahontas – (712) 335-3103  
• E. Pottawattamie – (712) 482-6449
• Sioux – (712) 737-4230
• Story – (515) 382-6551
• Tama – (641) 484-2703
• Warren – (515) 961-6237
• Washington – (319) 653-4811
• Winnebago – (641) 584-2261
• Wright – (515) 532-3453

A postcard reminder will be sent to all licensed commercial manure applicator businesses in early August. Owners and managers should communicate this training opportunity to employees and new hires. If applicators can’t attend this training event, they can still call their county Extension office to determine when commercial manure applicator trainings are held. Many county offices will provide flexibility in offering training if called in advance, but some are only offering training on set dates due to scheduling and staffing conflicts.

Applicators also can meet certification requirements by taking and passing the certification exam. Exams are only offered at Iowa DNR field offices. An appointment must be made to take the exam.