Certification Process for Farms

Overview

The Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program is a combination of online and face-to-face training for farms coupled with an economic incentive to improve nutrient management plan implementation. If an applicator is unable to read or implement the plan, or is not sufficiently motivated to follow it, errors such as spills, over-applications and applying too close to sensitive resources or in fields not suited for manure application can occur, resulting in nutrient and pathogen loading to surface and groundwater. By providing training for farms on implementing nutrient management plans, proper manure management, and proper manure application methods, risks are reduced and compliance and accountability increase.

The insurance industry is willing to offer significant premium discounts if manure applicators are properly trained and follow through with the program requirements. For example, the Professional Nutrient Applicator Association of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Extension partnered with the insurance industry to create a market-based incentive program to encourage manure applicators to participate in a training and certification program. The insurance industry prefers clients who are proactive and are willing to reward those who go above and beyond the basics with significant savings on their insurance premiums. Insurance industry data showed that “claimable incidences” in participating applicators dropped by 80% in their first three years in the program. Over time, through a proven track record of reduced risk and safer operations, Wisconsin manure applicators have been able to increase the discounts received through the program.

In Michigan the initial insurance premium discount is 5% for achieving Level 1 certification. Continued and enhanced discounts will be based on documentation of inspection and calibration of manure application equipment, training received, and farm manure application plan implementation as outlined in Level 2 and Level 3 of the certification program. An explanation of the three certification levels follows.

Certification Program Goals

Prevent manure application problems before they occur.
Increase nutrient management plan implementation.
Improve professionalism among manure applicators.
Demonstrate responsible manure application.
Increase the base level of manure management knowledge of all employees.

Description of Certification Levels

Level 1

Becoming certified at Level 1 is a two-step process. The first step is completing the Michigan State University Extension online course with a minimum score of 80% correct. Users will have three attempts to achieve the minimum score. Anyone on a farm who applies manure or supervises anyone who applies manure should complete the course for the farm to receive the certification. Successful completion of the course demonstrates that an individual has a minimum level of knowledge and performance on manure spill response, manure management regulations, common sense manure application, and safety. All who complete the course are awarded a certificate.

Once all individuals employed with a farm have successfully completed the course, Michigan Farm Bureau is notified that the farm is ready for a manure application equipment inspection. This begins the second step. A representative from Michigan Farm Bureau will schedule an appointment with the farm for a representative from the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies to come out and inspect all equipment used to apply manure. If the equipment passes the inspection, the farm is recognized as having achieved the Bronze Level of Performance by Michigan Farm Bureau.

When all individuals specified above on a farm have complete the online course AND the equipment they use passes inspection, a Level 1 certification is awarded. With a Level 1 certification, Farm Bureau Insurance will provide a 5% discount on the liability and farm personal property sections of the farm policy.*

To continue to qualify for the Level 1 insurance premium discount and stay certified, those who are certified at Level 1 must attend the annual Manure Management Summit that provides them with the most current manure management information AND the equipment they use to apply manure must pass an annual equipment inspection. Educational content for the annual meeting includes a regulatory update plus coverage of issues that are relevant to haulers at the time. Successfully passing a test at the conclusion of the meeting indicates competency for another year.

Level 2

There are two options to achieve the Level 2 certification, explained below. With both options, passing a Silver Level of Performance inspection completed by a representative from the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies on all manure application equipment is necessary for achieving the Level 2 certification.

Option 1: Become or be currently verified in the Livestock System of the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)

For this option, a farm can become or be currently MAEAP verified in the Livestock System. Farms that are not Livestock System verified can request a farm visit from a MAEAP Technician. The MAEAP Livestock System option is only available to farms as commercial manure haulers cannot get MAEAP verified. Michigan Farm Bureau will work with MAEAP to confirm a farm’s verification status. If you do not want to or are unable to get MAEAP verified in the Livestock System, you can elect to complete the second option to achieve the Level 2 certification.

By selecting the MAEAP option, farms will have nearly all the information necessary to create the Environmental Management Systems Plan needed to achieve Level 3 certification.

Option 2: Crew supervisors and business owners complete six hours of continuing education approved by Michigan State University Extension over a 24-month period.

These meetings are intended to provide advanced training on a variety of timely topics related to manure hauling, management, and technology. MSU Extension will provide attendance information to Michigan Farm Bureau in order for Michigan Farm Bureau to certify completion of both parts of Level 2.

While working on either Option 1 or Option 2, farms can work on completing the Silver Level of Performance. The Silver Level of Performance includes the Bronze Level of Performance plus additional inspection points. The Silver Level of Performance equipment inspection checklist can be found here. A representative from Michigan Farm Bureau will schedule an appointment with the farm to inspect equipment used to apply manure. If the manure application equipment on a farm passes the equipment inspection, the farm is recognized as having achieved the Silver Level of Performance by Michigan Farm Bureau.

With a Level 2 certification, Farm Bureau Insurance will continue to provide a 5% discount on the liability and farm personal property sections of the farm policy* and an additional bundle of incentives will be provided. Examples of incentives may include holders for daily checklists/EMS plan, magnet for important spill response numbers, SMV signs, etc.

To remain certified at Level 2 with Option 1, individuals employed by farms who apply manure or manage individuals who apply manure must maintain MAEAP verification in the Livestock System AND the equipment used to apply manure must pass an annual Silver Level of Performance inspection. To remain certified at Level 2 with Option 2, crew chief and business owner must receive a minimum of six continuing education credits over an ongoing 24-month period AND the equipment used to apply manure must pass an annual Silver Level of Performance inspection.

Table Summary of Level 2 Options:

Option 1	Option 2**
Successfully complete and be verified by the MAEAP Livestock System (Livestock A*Syst) OR be currently MAEAP verified in the Livestock System.	Complete six hours of continuing education approved by Michigan State University Extension over a 24-month period (link to MSU Extension approved CEU class info).
Farms complete the Silver Level of Performance (can be done simultaneously with both options), which includes the Bronze Level of Performance plus additional inspection points.
Farms that successfully complete MAEAP Livestock System verification AND the equipment used to apply manure passes the Silver Level of Performance inspection qualify to receive Level 2 certification.	Farms qualify for Level 2 certification when the crew chief and business owner receive a minimum of six continuing education credits over a 24-month period AND the equipment used to apply manure passes a Silver Level of Performance inspection.
With a Level 2 certification, Farm Bureau Insurance will continue to provide a 5% discount on the liability and farm personal property sections of the farm policy* and an additional bundle of incentives. Examples of incentives may include holders for daily checklists/EMS plan, magnet for important spill response numbers, SMV signs, etc.
To remain certified at Level 2, individuals employed by farms who apply manure or manage individuals who apply manure must maintain their Livestock System verification AND the equipment used to apply manure must pass an annual Silver Level of Performance inspection	To remain certified at Level 2, the crew chief and business owner must receive a minimum of six continuing education credits over an ongoing 24-month period AND the equipment used to apply manure must pass an annual Silver Level of Performance inspection

**Farms that can’t/do not want to get MAEAP verified may use this option.

Level 3

The target audience for Level 3 is the farm owner. To achieve Level 3 designation, a farm completes an Environmental Management Systems Plan AND their equipment meets the Gold Level of Performance. With a Level 3 certification, Farm Bureau Insurance will provide a 10% discount on the liability and farm personal property sections of the farm policy.*

An Environmental Management Systems Plan reduces risk by implementing regular personnel training, equipment inspection, and equipment maintenance schedules. A workbook and fact sheets provide guidance on developing an Environmental Management Systems plan. Questions about and assistance with developing an EMS Plan can be directed to Michigan State University Extension educators Erica Rogers (814-441-1356 or roger392@msu.edu), Sarah Fronczak (517-212-1043 or froncza3@msu.edu), or Charles Gould (616-994-4547 or gouldm@msu.edu).

The Gold Level of Performance includes the Bronze and Silver Levels of Performance plus some additional inspection points. The Gold Level of Performance equipment inspection checklist can be found here. If the equipment on a farm passes the equipment inspection, the farm is recognized as having achieved the Gold Level of Performance by Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies inspectors.

Developing an Environmental Management Systems Plan and completing the Gold Level of Performance can be done in any order; however, the insurance premium reduction will not be awarded until both are completed. Michigan State University Extension educators will work with farms to develop Environmental Management Systems Plans. Inspectors from the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies will approve the completed plans and conduct the Gold Level of Performance inspections.

To remain certified at Level 3, once a year the farm owner must review their farm’s approved Environmental Management Systems Plan with a Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies inspector AND successfully complete the Gold Level of Performance equipment inspection.

For All Certification Levels:

Manure Management Summit

In addition to a yearly inspection for all levels and the Level 2 & 3 requirements, participants at all levels will need to attend the newly created Manure Management Summit (at a to be determined location in Michigan) hosted by MSU Extension and Michigan Farm Bureau. The Summit will cover regulatory and scientific updates in addition to other information related to manure management. Successfully passing a test at the conclusion of the summit indicates competency for another year. The goal is to help everyone stay current on their manure management knowledge.

Cost

The cost of participation in the program is $50 per person per year. This includes the online course that is part of Level 1 and attendance to the Manure Management Summit.

Questions?

Michigan Farm Bureau: Contact Tess Van Gorder (Ag Ecology Department) at tvangor@michfb.com or (517) 323-6711.

MSU Extension: Contact Charles Gould at gouldm@msu.edu or (616) 994-4547 or Erica Rogers at rogers392@msu.edu or (989) 875-5233 Ext. 5296 or Sarah Fronczak at froncza3@msu.edu or (517) 439-9301 Ext. 315.

*For details and questions about the Farm Bureau Insurance discount, please reach out to your local Farm Bureau Insurance Agent. To locate an agent, click here.

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