Trainings Set For Private Pesticide Applicator

Pesticides are products used to control pests such as weeds (herbicides), unwanted or harmful insects (insecticides), rodents (rodenticides), or fungal diseases and spores (fungicides). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Arkansas State Plant Board regulates pesticides and their use. In this state, pesticide licensing and certification are the responsibility of the Arkansas State Plant Board while the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is responsible for pesticide education and training.

Sometimes a product is a State Restricted Use (SRU) pesticide because of its higher risk potential to affect humans, wildlife or the environment. Private Applicators are licensed applicators who use SRU pesticides to produce agricultural commodities on property owned or rented by them or their employer. These applicators generally are farmers producing an agricultural commodity and using restricted-use pesticides to control insects, diseases, weeds or other pests in their production operation. Applicators of these SRU pesticides must be trained and then licensed by the Plant Board before they can purchase farm quantities of products such as 2,4-D or glyphosate (ex. Roundup).

Pesticide training helps prevent the harmful effects of improper pesticide use. Private Applicator Training topics include pesticide regulations, labeling and safety, sprayers and equipment calibration, environmental concerns, drift minimization and recordkeeping for private applicators. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that private applicators must be retrained at least every five years to maintain their certification.

If you need to become certified as a Private Pesticide Applicator for the first time or you are due for recertification, the Cooperative Extension Service has three upcoming trainings scheduled in Washington County: January 31, 9:00am at the Washington County Cooperative Extension Service office, February 16, 7:00pm at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena, and March 30, 5:30pm. Pre-registration is not required, however, there is a $10 cost for the training (can only accept cash or checks payable to CES).

For more information on pesticide laws, regulations and licensing, visit: www.plantboard.arkansas.gov. For information on the upcoming local training sessions, call the Washington County Cooperative Extension Service at 479-444-1755.