MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S. — Registration is open for three grain operations courses from the GEAPS/Kansas State University (KSU) Distance Education Program this May, including a completely updated course on facility design and planning.

These online courses run from May 25-June 26, and registration closes Tuesday, May 19. Courses are open to anyone, even if they are not a GEAPS member or a student enrolled at KSU.

The completely updated GEAPS 511: Grain Facilities Planning and Design II features seven new instructors and all-new content that reflects current industry standards and best practices. This advanced course provides a practical, real-world foundation for grain industry operations professionals responsible for helping plan and design grain facilities. Lectures cover site selection, rail planning, safety, security, roofing, storage and other considerations. Some of the lectures revisit topics from GEAPS 510: Facilities Planning and Design I in more depth.

Another course focuses on creating and maintaining safety cultures. GEAPS 541: Developing an Effective Safety Culture helps participants understand the concept of safety cultures, how to evaluate their company and how safety affects a facility’s bottom line. Lectures teach participants to evaluate the return on investment for safety cultures, evaluate the components of strong safety cultures, and provide tools for reshaping attitudes and promoting employee buy-in.

The final course is an advanced offering, and the second of three courses on materials handling. GEAPS 551: Materials Handling II teaches participants the principles of dry bulk material flow, material properties and characteristics, components and selection of equipment and other considerations.

GEAPS 541 and GEAPS 551 are both required for Specialist Credentials. More information on the Credential Program, including the courses required for each Specialist Credential, is available here.

Tuition for GEAPS/KSU continuing education courses is $640 for GEAPS members and $815 for non-members. For more information about the courses or the GEAPS/KSU Distance Education Program, click here  or contact Laura Atchley at laura@geaps.com or call 1.952.928.4640.