Released Nov. 27, 2007
URBANA, Ill.-- The Web site developed by University of Illinois Extension to provide information about certified livestock management training has recently been revised and updated. The site, which contains new features for Illinois manure management plans and livestock regulations, is available on the internet at http://www.clmt.uiuc.edu/
The website was redesigned by Randy Fonner, Extension specialist, certified livestock manager training, and Ted Funk, Extension specialist, bioenvironmental engineering. The site provides information about regulatory requirements for Illinois livestock producers on the Certified Livestock Manager Training (CLMT) Workshops.
Details are available on who has to be certified, how producers can become certified, how to sign up for workshops, where the workshops will be held, and who to contact with questions.
It also provides a link for accessing the CLMT quiz site, for those who want to become certified through a series of five quizzes on the internet. The site includes information about how to sign up for the quizzes and how to obtain the required sign-on and password.
A link to the new Web site "EZRegs-Making Sense of Illinois Farm Regulations" is also available on this page, under "state and federal rules."
"EZRegs makes it convenient to find and understand the many regulations that affect the day-to-day operations of farm producers and other agricultural and horticultural professionals," Funk said.
Funk and Fonner are two of the co-authors of the new "EZRegs" website, along with U of I Extension specialists Scott Bretthauer and Bruce Paulsrud.
The site has a database of 13 sets of regulations, including those from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Livestock Regulations (Parts 501, 506, 560, 570, & 580), the Livestock Management Facility Act (Section 900), the Illinois Construction Site Stormwater Permit, the Illinois Pesticide Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Historic Resources Preservation Act.
"Users of the Web site can now access sections on four different operation types--Livestock Production, Food Crop Production, Ornamental Horticulture Production and Landscape Maintenance," Funk said. "Within these sections, they will find regulations on pesticides and worker safety."
After choosing an operation type, users can scroll through a list of frequently asked questions about that operation. Clicking on any question will pull up all the different regulations pertaining to that question.
Web-site users will also find a great deal of information, forms, spreadsheets and instructions about developing a manure management plan under the link "Illinois Manure Management Plan."
At the Web site, users have two options for putting together a manure management plan. The first option is a step-by-step workbook for forms, instructions, and reference material to assist with the development of a plan. Forms and spreadsheets can be downloaded and customized if necessary.
The second and newest option is the web-based Illinois Manure Management Plan (IMMP), which allows users to put together a manure management plan online through an interview type interface, which prompts users for information.
The information is securely stored on University of Illinois servers and is available to users all the time. Recordkeeping, calendars, calculations, mapping, reminders, etc. are all handled by this online Web site. Users can use as many or as few of the forms as necessary for them to achieve their goals.
An additional link is the Manure Share program, where manure can be shared by those "looking to spread it around" and by those looking for fresh or composted manure to use on fields, gardens, etc.
Information about small operations for composting manure can also be found, along with information about state regulations. Another link provides an incomplete list of commercial manure applicators that work in Illinois.
"Livestock producers looking for someone to spread the manure on their fields or on their neighbors' fields can find names, addresses, and phone numbers for Illinois applicators," Funk said. "You should contact them about the type of equipment they use, and the geographic area they work in, to match with your needs."
The site also provides a link to U of I Extension's Agricultural Safety and Health website. This Web site seeks to provide research-based information and resources that assist individuals and organizations in the understanding and prevention of injury and illness while working in and around Illinois agriculture.
"This is a valuable Web site to bookmark and come back to when you have questions or seek information about operating safely, or about occupational and environmental health concerns," Funk said.
Additional information about the new website is available from Randy Fonner, certified livestock manager training coordinator, by telephone at (217)333-2611 or by e-mail at clmt@uiuc.edu.
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http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4215.html
Contacts: Randy Fonner (217)333-2611
Rob Wynstra, (217) 333-9446, wynstra@uiuc.edu
