University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

January 2007

UNL commercial and noncommercial Pesticide Education Program held January through April

Nebraska commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators seeking first-time certification or recertification in 2007 to use or purchase restricted-use pesticides can get training through University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

Training is offered statewide from January through April, said Larry Schulze, pesticide education specialist for the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

UNL's pesticide education office has sent commercial/noncommercial pesticide applicators with certifications expiring in April a pesticide applicator education schedule booklet that has initial certification and recertification information, training schedules and a registration/study materials order form.

Commercial applicators are those using restricted-use pesticides, and in some cases general-use pesticides, on a contract or for-hire basis. Noncommercial applicators are those applying these same pesticides to sites owned by an employer or for a governmental agency or subdivision.

"Farmers and ranchers who are private applicators will have their pesticide safety education programs as scheduled by their UNL extension educators. For more information on scheduling training, contact your local extension office," Schulze said.

Commercial and noncommercial applicators interested in their training can get a copy of the schedule booklet at local extension offices, by phoning UNL's pesticide education office at (800) 627-7216 or (402) 472-1632 or online at http://pested.unl.edu. Advance registration is required for all initial commercial/noncommercial applicator training and most other training sessions. A $30 fee applies for each applicator registering for February through April sessions, regardless of the number of categories they register for. Required study materials for initial training range from $15 to $35 per packet, depending on category.

Recertification opportunities are available at several extension offices in February and March and at several annual conferences and trade association meetings early in 2007.

"Initial certification requires passing a general standards exam and testing in one or more specific applicator categories," Schulze said. Applicants can study on their own, but for best results Schulze recommends combining the training with the study materials.

"Training combined with individual study has the best track record in preparing someone to take the state pesticide license exams," he said.

UNL conducts the educational programs and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture grants the licenses. NDA testing is offered at initial training locations. Questions about individual applicator license status should be directed to NDA at (402) 471-2394 or (877) 800-4080.

The only opportunity for commercial applicators to recertify in the Agricultural Plant category, and Demo/Research subcategory, other than by examination, will be at UNL Crop Protection Clinics or the Custom Applicator School. Register for the school session on March 1 by calling the Nebraska Agricultural Business Association at (402) 476-1528.

Crop Protection Clinics begin at 8:50 a.m., local time, at the following locations (no preregistration; register at the door):

Recertification in additional applicator categories is offered at the following locations and dates. Available categories vary at each of the locations; check the pesticide applicator education booklet for details. Preregistration required: UNL Extension also works with several trade organizations so recertification is available at their annual conferences. Conferences offering these opportunities for specific categories include:

Those seeking initial certification must preregister for one of the following training sessions and purchase study materials. Training categories vary at the listed sites:

Larry Schulze
Extension Specialist — Pesticide Education
Steven Ress
Communications coordinator, UNL Water Center

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Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.
Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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