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Indiana State Department of Agriculture hosting livestock certification program

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is hosting a workshop on Jan. 25 as part of the Certified Livestock Producer Program (CLPP).

This workshop will be held at the Whitley County Farm Bureau Office, located at 607 N. Opportunity Drive, Columbia City. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. and it ends at 3:30 p.m. There is no charge for the training and lunch will be provided for the attendees.

Livestock producers of all sizes and species are invited to attend the training. The CLPP is a voluntary program that recognizes farmers for their commitment to innovative and top industry standards.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman launched the Certified Livestock Producer Program in July 2008. Many farmers from around the state have completed the program since it was initiated by Skillman. Producers of poultry, beef, sheep, and pork have become certified statewide.

Industry experts in the five areas of focus for the CLPP program will present at the workshop. The five focus areas are: commitment to the environment, animal well-being, food safety, emergency planning, biosecurity and being a good neighbor in their community.

Workshop speakers include John Nagle, who will discuss food safety and animal well-being. Other presenters include Greg Slipher, livestock development specialist for Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc.; Jim Rink, the director of farm and crop programs for Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance; Misty Livengood, the director of communications for ISDA; Marianne Ash, veterinarian with the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH); Rosalind Leeck, the program manager for the Environmental Stewardship Initiative for the ISDA; and Mike Veenhuizen, owner of Livestock Engineering Solutions.

Contact Nagle at jna gle@isda.in.gov or 317-232-8770 to register for the Whitley County program.

For more information, contact Ed Farris, agriculture and natural resource educator with the Huntington County office of Purdue Extension, at 358-4826.