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Tuesday, December 30, 2008 9:50 PM CST
Private pesticide safety class to be held Jan. 7
By DENNIS BOWMAN
To legally purchase restricted-use-pesticides for use on your farm, you must have a Private Pesticide Applicator’s License. However, since most pesticides are not on the restricted-use list, many farmers will not need a license. But not having a license could really limit your options for dealing with some pests such as the western corn rootworm.
Legalities aside, having a private applicator’s license makes a lot of sense. It keeps all your options open and shows you are doing your best to stay current on the latest information on pesticide use and regulations.
Most farmers still rely heavily on chemicals to control problem, yield-robbing pests. A study in 2005 reported that use of herbicides contributed $26 billion to U.S. farm income, eliminated the need for 1.1 billion hours of hand-weeding, and preserved 356 billion pounds of top soil.
For all the good that pesticides do for farmers and consumers in facilitating the production of high-quality commodities, we must also realize that there are risks. There are risks to us, our families, your environment and to your consumers. When we are licensed, that tells the world that we are doing our part to be aware of and to minimize these risks.
To obtain/maintain your Private Pesticide Applicator’s License you must pass a 50-question exam with a score of at least 70 percent. The license can be purchased from Illinois Department of Agriculture and is good for three years. The most common route to the test is to attend a Private Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) hosted by your local Extension office with a $30 fee. After a three-hour workshop, which will include an update on current pesticide issues and reminder of relevant safety information, participants will be well equipped to take the exam. The Illinois Department of Agriculture will be there to give the exam at the conclusion of the training.
Training is scheduled for Jan. 7 in Coles County. The 4-H Extension Center on the Coles County Fairgrounds will serve as the site for the 8:30 a.m. training. Doors will open at 8 a.m. Pre-registration is highly recommended and can be completed in person at the Coles County Extension office, 707 Windsor Rd. Suite A or on the web at www.extension.uiuc.edu/coles/. Office hours are adjusted during the holidays, so call 345-7034 before stopping by.
Dennis Bowman is an Extension educator, crop systems, for University of Illinois Extension.
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