Strengthen livestock facility management through Certified Livestock Manager Training
Staff can get certified through one of University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s 2026 Certified Livestock Manager Training Workshops, including Feb. 4 in Breese. Seven locations around the state will host training workshops that meet the Illinois Livestock Management Facilities Act training requirements for Illinois livestock managers.
Each workshop location will open at 8:30 a.m., and training will begin at 9 a.m. The training lasts 3.5 hours, and IDOA staff will administer the exam after the training. The Illinois Extension training fee is $40, and IDOA’s certification fee is $30. To be certified, all participants need to attend the entire workshop.
All participants must register in advance and check for weather-related updates at go.illinois.edu/CLMT. Class size is limited in some locations due to space constraints. A Spanish version of the test is now available upon request.
If you have program questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Stanley Solomon, Illinois Extension educator at jssolomo@illinois.edu or by phone at 815-235-4125.
About Certified Livestock Manager Training
Depending on the size of an operation, livestock manager training certification is required for many Illinois production livestock facilities. A certified livestock manager is a full-time employee who is familiar with the farm's manure management system and is located within one hour's driving distance of the farm, accessible by phone when needed. Find facility and size requirements described at go.illinois.edu/CLMT.
Training covers a range of topics related to the operation, management, and utilization of livestock waste and waste facilities. The training manual used is the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum. It is available online at go.illinois.edu/manual.
Online Training
For those unable to attend, online training and testing are available year-round at go.illinois.edu/CLMT and follow the same format as the in-person workshops. Those needing certification for over 1,000 animal units may take the test online following the training.
Additional Certified Livestock Manager Trainings
- Feb. 3, Effingham: University of Illinois Extension Effingham County Office, 1209 N. Wenthe Ave.
- Feb. 5, Pittsfield: University of Illinois Extension Pike County Office, 1301 E. Washington
- Feb. 6, Bloomington: Illinois Soybean Association, 1108 Trinity Lane
- Feb. 24, Freeport: Stephenson County Farm Bureau Bldg., 210 W. Spring St.
- Feb. 25 Sycamore: University of Illinois Extension DeKalb County Office, 1350 W. Prairie Dr.
- Feb. 26, Monmouth: University of Illinois Extension Warren County Office, Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau Bldg., 1000 N. Main St.
