January 6, 2005

Is your farm a large concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)? Is your farm a small-to-medium CAFO that may expand? Are you a consultant or local resource provider to CAFOs? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to attend Complying as a CAFO - Now and in the Future: Understanding Michigan’s Regulations and How to Meet the Standards, being held in Kalamazoo on February 3, Comstock Park on February 8, and Frankenmuth on February 10.

The Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality and Agriculture, along with the Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan State University Extension, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, present these workshops for farmers and other organizations to learn about regulations that require all large CAFOs to apply for permit coverage.

Attend these workshops to learn which farms are affected, how to plow through the permit process and get the right coverage at the right time, how to tell when to use the Right to Farm Livestock Facility Siting process, and ensure understanding of timelines for future requirements. Changes on the horizon might affect your CAFO now or the plans you have for your CAFO in the future. Don’t be caught off guard by future requirements that need your attention today.

Any livestock facility that confines animals for a total of 45 days in a given 12 month period and does not sustain growth of crops, forage, or residues within the facility (feedlot) and exceeds certain thresholds is a CAFO. If your farm is a small, medium or large CAFO, or you are a consultant or local resource provider to CAFOs, this event is for you! Still not sure if you should attend? Call Ronda Wuycheck from the DEQ at 517-241-7832 for more information.

Take advantage of our early bird registration and register before January 14 for a reduced registration fee of $50. The registration fee after January 14 is $75. Register online at www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops (click on “Upcoming Workshops”). For registration information, contact the Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-662-9278, or e-mail at deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised January 6, 2005