By NANCY LYBARGER
Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Certified Livestock Producer program, sponsored by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), is designed to promote good farm neighbors, according to the program’s director, John Nagle.

Nagle is the livestock production promotion manager for ISDA. He said the program is the only one of its kind among the 50 states. Other states have livestock producer promotions, he said, but the difference in Indiana’s program for all the others is that Hoosier producers are required to obtain independent verification from their vet or from the technical consultant with their contractor.
“The program promotes producers who go above and beyond, the ones who are doing it right,” Nagle said.

To begin the process of applying for the certification, Nagle said producers can either take a one-day class or complete a self-study course. Then comes the hard work. There are five areas in which a producer must meet or exceed industry standards.

•Environment: The producer must be in good standing with the Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management (IDEM), with no pending water quality issues or environmental violations.

•Food Safety and Animal Welfare: In good standing with the Indiana Board of Animal Health, with no animal care complaints.
•Emergency Planning: The producer must develop an emergency plan to cope with disasters, such as power failures, storms, fires or spills. Nagle said the producer has to work with his/her local fire department to insure the emergency plan is viable.

One turkey producer from Dubois County who recently received the certification, Fred Schnell, said he had to make sure the fire department knows where to shut off the power to his livestock barns, where the water sources are located and he had to train his employees in emergency procedures.

•Biosecurity: Signs must be posted on the farm and visitors need to be sure they are not tracking in pathogens from other facilities, for instance.

•Good Neighbor Plan: Nagle said this involves being considerate how their operations effect their neighbors. He said producers are encouraged to offer good will gestures to their neighbors, such as plowing snow in the winter and notifying neighbors of potential problems.

Posting attractive signs at the farm’s entrance, Nagle said, increases the “curb appeal.”

He said the program also encourages ag producers to “be a face in the community,” by participating in civic activities, church and community events.

More information and the application may be found at the ISDA’s website: www.isda.in.gov