SECTION 35:17-5-11. Education

(a)   All operators of poultry feeding operations shall attend educational courses on poultry waste handling provided by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

(b)   All operators shall obtain an initial nine (9) hours of education in the first year and two hours of continuing education every year until the operator has received a total of nineteen (19) hours of training. Any operator may attend more hours than are required, however, those hours shall not be carried forward. Upon receiving the nineteen (19) required hours, the operator will graduate from the program but shall be required to receive two (2) hours of continuing education every three (3) years.

(c)   The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service shall develop the educational training course to aid in certification.

(1)   Curricula for the training course shall include the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Waste Management Facts series and record books or their current equivalent.

(2)   Courses for poultry waste management shall include the following topics:

(A)   Environmental process relevant to protecting water quality in poultry production;

(B)   Basic handling systems to manage poultry waste from all types of poultry operations;

(C)   Nutrient management, including sampling procedures, application rate determination, equipment calibration, and record keeping systems;

(D)   Relevant laws and rules applicable to poultry waste management in the State of Oklahoma; and

(E)   Any other related subject as determined by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service in consultation with the Department.

(d)   At the completion of each course, the operator shall receive a certification verifying completion. The certificates shall be kept on site for five (5) years.

(e)   Failure to obtain the prerequisite and annual training and education as provided in this subsection shall be deemed a violation of the Oklahoma Registered Poultry Feeding Operations Act.

(f)   No integrator shall enter into any contract with an operator of a poultry feeding operation who is not in compliance with the education requirements of this section.

(g)   All operators shall obtain the required education no later than December 31^st of each calendar year.

(h)   Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service education courses previously taken by an operator pursuant to rules promulgated by the State Board of Agriculture for Commercial Poultry Operations shall count towards the mandatory education requirements contained in the Oklahoma Registered Poultry Feeding Operations Act.

[Source: Added at 15 Ok Reg 1057, eff 12-19-97 (emergency); Added at 15 Ok Reg 2520, eff 6-25-98; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 4266, eff 8-20-98; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2119, eff 6-25-99; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 2306, eff 7-11-05; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1694, eff 8-1-12]