The University of Georgia and the Georgia Department of
Agriculture will sponsor a Certified Operator training in Tifton,
Ga., Aug. 21-22.

The Georgia Milk Producers, Georgia Pork Producers and Georgia
Egg Commission are helping cover the cost of the training. Their
members can attend at no cost other than travel expenses.

The session will provide the necessary training to become a
certified operator for a liquid animal waste management system.
Recent Georgia Environmental Protection Division regulations
required a CO for any animal production farm with more than 300
animals.

New EPD Regulations

Regulations require a certified operator on-site for hog farms by
October 2001. Dairy and liquid manure poultry operations must
have a CO by October 2002.

The training will begin at 10 a.m. Aug. 21 at the Rural
Development Center. It will end at 3:30 p.m. the next day. To get
a reservation form, contact your county Extension
Service office.

Completed forms must be sent by Aug. 15 to Anne Young, 204
Lumpkin House, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.