Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:05:48 +0000
From: Al Cooke
Subject: Pesticide School
If you hire someone to perform landscaping or garden work in North Carolina, it is illegal for that person to apply any product to control weeds or pests without a pesticide license or at least being under the supervision of a licensed pesticide applicator. Applicators must pass at least two exams to qualify for a pesticide applicator’s license.
Chatham County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will conduct a pesticide school on February 6 & 7, 2014, at the Agriculture Building, 65 East Chatham Street in Pittsboro, NC. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. with program beginning at 9:00 a.m. on both days. Sessions will conclude by 5:00 p.m. on both days. Pre-registration is required by Friday, January 30.
Participants will learn about plant pests, evaluating the need for control, various approaches to integrated pest management (IPM), pesticide legal requirements, toxicity and risk, personal protection, environmental considerations, and how to manage the risks associated with pesticide use.
At the end of the training participants will have the opportunity to take exams necessary to quality for a commercial applicator’s license or a private certification (for farmers including nursery and greenhouse operators). Exams are administered by representatives of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
Persons wishing to participate in the school should contact Chatham County Extension Center (919.542.8202) regarding fees, necessary study manuals, and which exams they will need to prepare for. The exams are not easy. Those who prepare by studying the manuals and participating in training have a higher passing rate than those who just walk in for the exam.
The training will prepare participants to take the exam for Certified Private Applicator or licensed Ground Applicator for Ornamental and Turf sub-category. It is important to pre-register for the training. Participants should contact the Extension office for help in determining their specific needs as well as costs.
alcooke
Al Cooke
Extension Agent, Horticulture
Chatham County Center, N.C. Cooperative Extension
PO Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312
919.542-8202; Fax 919.542.8246