Pesticide class Dec. 4

PRESCOTT –  A private applicators training for pesticide certification or recertification class will be held Tuesday, December 4, at 6 P.M. at the Nevada County Cooperative Extension Service office located at 532 West 1st Street South in Prescott.

Federal law requires that a person who purchases or applies a restricted use pesticide must be certified and receive periodic pesticide safety training. State laws and regulation require that a person who purchases or applies restricted use pesticides have a current pesticide applicators license.

Restricted use pesticides are those that have higher risk potential for humans, wildlife, and the

environment. The Federal government has determined that the benefits provided by these pesticides outweigh the risks as long as they are properly handled, applied, and disposed. Knowledge and prevention are the keys to avoiding accidents and unwanted exposures.

In Arkansas, the licensing of pesticide applicators and regulations is the responsibility of the Arkansas State Plant Board. The required safety training, also known as Certification or Recertification, is provided by the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. Private Applicators are certified applicators who use restricted use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities on property owned or rented by them or their employer.

Restricted use pesticides are not labeled for home gardens. Therefore, a pesticide license is not

required, nor is it available, for home gardeners. To be eligible for a Private Applicator License one must be a producer of an agricultural commodity.

Note: An individual is not eligible to purchase or apply restricted use pesticide until a license is actually issued.

There is a $20 training fee payable to the Extension Service in addition to the one year or five year license fee payable to the Arkansas State Plant Board. If you require certification or recertification to purchase restricted use pesticides for use on your farm, please make every effort to attend this session. If you have any questions, please contact the Nevada County Cooperative Extension Service at 870‐887‐2818, email dwolfe@uaex.edu, or stop by the Extension Service office located at 532 West 1st Street South, in Prescott.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (large print, audiotapes, etc.) should notify the Nevada County Extension office as soon as possible prior to the activity. (870‐887‐2818)