"At Your Service" Newspaper Column

 

Michael R. Milam

Agronomy Specialist and County Program Director

For Daily Dunklin Democrat-At Your Service

December 12, 2007

Private pesticide applicator training sessions scheduled

            It’s that time of the year again. In December, notices from the Missouri Department of Agriculture were sent to 84 Dunklin County residents informing them that their private pesticide licenses are to expire in 2008. We have already had a few people call the office regarding our training schedules.

            I have noticed a trend for those that renew their licenses. Of all of those whose name is on the list, we have less each year that renew their licenses. We also have new people each year who want a license. Of those getting a license for the first time, many are farm hands who are urged by their employers to get a license so that they will comply with the Worker Protection Standards training requirement.

            Since the inception of the pesticide training program in Missouri, some 6,000 commercial and 40,000 private pesticide applicators have received at least initial training. In addition to the initial training, these applicators must be re-certified by training programs conducted by University of Missouri Extension as mandated by the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Pesticide Control. At the current time, commercial applicators are re-licensed on a 3-year cycle and private applicators re-certify on a 5-year cycle. New applicators need up-to-date training and training materials prior to becoming certified and licensed.

The process for those needing to re-certify changed several years ago. Now everyone will need to watch the pesticide applicator training video.  

Prior to writing this I called the Pesticide Applicator Training office at the University of Missouri. At some point, all private applicators will need to purchase a new Applying Pesticides Correctly manual. This will cost between $12 and $20 dollars. The new video will have more information and be much longer in length. Since the new materials are not ready, it will not go into effect this year. I would guess that it will be available in 2009.

The private pesticide applicator training is for those individuals who use “restricted use” chemicals for the production of agricultural commodities. According to the federal pesticide laws, the chemicals are divided into two classes. Over-the–counter materials can be bought by anyone and are available at retailers such as garden centers and discount stores. The other category is for “restricted use” materials for which a license is required. Certification as a private applicator will allow a person to buy and use, or supervise the use of "restricted use" pesticides. Certified private applicators may apply pesticides to their own land, or for a neighbor in trade for services. To get the private license, one must be at least 18 years of age and a producer of agricultural commodities. Anyone applying pesticides for hire must be certified with the Missouri Department of Agriculture as a commercial pesticide applicator.

Key provisions of the training are safety and how to comply with the EPA Worker Protection Standards. These standards require that workers must have training about mixing and handling restricted use pesticides. The private pesticide applicator training offered by University Outreach and Extension will count for this training. The EPA Worker Protection Standards have gone into effect and it is necessary that employers and employees understand these provisions in order to stay in compliance. In addition, several of the standards have been relaxed and these changes will be discussed.

The Worker Protection Standard requires employers to provide for their workers personal protective equipment, transportation in medical emergencies, and decontamination materials.  Employers are also required to notify their workers of pesticide applications and assure that they stay out of the treated areas for the required interval after application. Other topics relate to the label and the law, environmental concerns, and endangered species. Drift prevention and the proper disposal of pesticide containers are discussed.

This year there will be four private Pesticide Applicator Training sessions offered in Dunklin County and one at the Delta Center in Portageville. On January 15, a session will be held at Helena Chemical in Clarkton at 9:00 a.m.; January 22, at the Courthouse Annex in Kennett at 9:00 a.m.; January 29 at the Courthouse Annex in Kennett at 9:00 a.m.; and February 5 at the Courthouse Annex in Kennett at 9:00 a.m. A session will be held at the Delta Center in Portageville on February 19 at 9:00 a.m. Other training sessions will be set up as needed. For more information, call Mike Milam at the Dunklin County University of Missouri Extension Center at 888-4722.

 

University of Missouri Extension programs are open to all.

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