Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification

There are a number of private pesticide recertification workshops scheduled around Southern Minnesota coming up. Many people do not realize that farmers need to be certified to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides. Many of the herbicides we use are not classified as restricted-use so no license is needed. Examples include Round-Up, 2-4-D or Callisto. Then again there are times we need to add a herbicide like Atrazine at very low rates with other herbicides to enhance their performance. Atrazine is a restricted-use pesticide. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and EPA may classify a herbicide as restricted-use because it may have special water quality concerns requiring setbacks, or because it may be more hazardous in the environment.

The University of Minnesota Extension Service, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, has scheduled a lot of workshops around Minnesota so farmers can renew or obtain their license. A private pesticide license must be renewed every three years. If you are there for the entire program and your license has not lapsed you do not have to take the test. You can also take an online test or pick up a mail-in test from your local Extension Office. I should mention that all the crop production retailers do keep track of restricted-use pesticides sold and make sure that whoever is buying them have a license. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture does check on the retailers. The cost to renew is $75. Bring your checkbook because credit cards or cash cannot be accepted. For a list of all the workshops, go to the University of Minnesota Extension website and in the search window type in private pesticide applicator workshops.