Adair County Extension Center

Certified Private Applicator Training

Certified Private Applicators are defined by the Missouri Pesticide Use Act as any individual who is certified by the director as authorized to use, or to supervise the use of, any pesticide which is classified for restricted use for purposes of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by the applicator or their employer or on the property of another person, if used without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities, on the property of another person.

To renew or obtain a Certified Private Applicator license, the applicant must complete the Certified Private Applicator Training Program provided by the University of Missouri Extension Office. Meetings for private applicator trainings have been scheduled for the area. The meeting will cover topics including basics of pest biology, IPM (integrated pest management), pesticide formulations, pesticide safety, pesticide labels, laws and regulations, and calibration. Private pesticide applicator certification is valid for five years. Program cost will be $12, the cost of the training manual required for all participants.

February 14, Macon First Christian Church, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
February 22, Schuyler County Courthouse Assembly Room, Lancaster, MO, 1 p.m. (contact Alix Carpenter to register at 573-769-2177)
February 23, Missouri Department of Conservation, 1 p.m.(contact Alix Carpenter to register at 573-769-2177)
February 23, USDA Service Center, Milan, MO, 2 p.m.
February 23, Courthouse Courtroom, Milan, MO, 7 p.m.
February 28, Brookfield Area Career Center, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
March 1, Greenley Research Center, Novelty, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
March 6, Lion's Building, Unionville, MO, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
March 7, Clark County Extension Center, Kahoka, MO, 7 p.m. (contact Alix Carpenter to register at 573-769-2177)

To check your expiration date or license number, go to Pesticide Applicator and Dealer Information.

Basics of Beekeeping in Missouri

Saturday, Feb. 25, Macon First Christian Church, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Workshop limited to the first 20 people to register by Feb. 22. To register or for more information, contact Jennifer Schutter at 660-665-9866.

Master Gardener classes in Macon

Master Gardener training classes will be offered at the Macon County Extension Center from March 22 to May 31. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m. and will include a wide variety of gardening topics including vegetables, fruit, trees and shrubs, herbs, lawn care, flowers and landscaping, diseases, insects and soils and fertilizer. Cost for the training is $150 per person, of which $50 is refundable upon completion of volunteer hours. For more information and to register, contact Jennifer Schutter at the Adair County Extension Center at 660-665-9866.

Spring Forward into Gardening Workshop

photo of green peppers and tomatoes A spring gardening workshop will be held in Kirksville on March 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kirksville Vo-Tech School. It will have a focus on local food production and have local speakers.Topics will include: Incorporating flowers into your garden, what’s killing my trees, growing root crops, growing home garden tomatoes, anyone can raise vegetables, raising backyard grapes, raising backyard chickens, vegetable garden panel discussion, now that I’ve grown it what do I do with it, and it starts with the soil. Cost will be $15 and will include a boxed lunch. There will not be vendors or door prizes. Get more information and a registration form by calling Jennifer Schutter at 660-665-9866.

Missouri Corn Growers Winter Corn Meeting

Friday, February 10, 9 a.m., Macon County Expo Center. Get program details or RSVP to Lori at 800-827-4181 or lschulte@mocorn.org

Sheep Shearing School

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension will sponsor a Sheep Shearing School, Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at the George Washington Carver Farmer in Jefferson City, Mo. Learn about care of equipment, care of animals, how to set up properly for fast shearing, wool grading and more. Cost is $50.

Livestock Person of the Year applications due May 1

Do you know someone that has made a significant contribution to the livestock industry in northeast Missouri and/or beyond. Eligible applicants can be producers of livestock, agribusiness personnel, agency personnel, or agriculture researchers. Other parties who have been long-time supporters of the northeast Missouri livestock industry will also be considered. The selected applicant will become a member of the Northeast Missouri Livestock Producers Hall of Fame and will be inducted at a ceremony at the Missouri Livestock Symposium to be held in Kirksville on December 7-8, 2012. All applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on May 1, 2012. The application (PDF) (RTF) may be obtained at the Adair County Extension Center, 503 E. Northtown Road, Kirksville, MO or by calling 660-665-9866.

Recruiting a livestock regional specialist in Northeast Missouri

This position is located in Milan, Mo. and serves the four surrounding counties to provide leadership and expertise in livestock production, management and marketing. This position also serves as the county program director for Sullivan County, responsible for carrying out educational programming, resource management, and extension council relations duties. Position announcement (PDF)

Joining 4-H is easy

Photo: Kids sharing at 4-H Camp 4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H is young people making new friends and memories while preparing to be leaders of today and tomorrow. We are a volunteer-led organization that reaches boys and girls through small groups called clubs. 4-H members choose from over 40 projects in which to participate. Most projects use hands-on learning experiences to teach subject matter and life-skills such as cooperation, leadership and decision making — skills that can be applied over and over for a lifetime. Contact Michelle Klem, 4-H youth development specialist klemmd@missouri.edu or at 660-665-9866 or learn how to join 4-H.