Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - Ag Pesticide Training and Testing Available Jan. 7

On Wednesday, Jan. 7, the University of Florida / IFAS - St. Lucie County Cooperative Extension will be conducting a two-hour training and two-hour testing program titled ''General Certification Core Training for Agricultural Pesticide Applicators.''  This course begins at 9 a.m.  It is designed to teach participants about the laws, rules and regulations of pesticide application as well as methods that will enable applicators to apply pesticides in a manner that is safe for people and the environment. Upon completion of the training, Ken Gioeli, Extension Agent/ Natural Resources, will be administering the first of two licensing exams. 

Pesticide applicators who purchase or use pesticides classified as restricted-use by the U.S. EPA must demonstrate that they meet certification standards established by the Agency under authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) as Amended. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services mandates applicator licensing requirements under Chapter 487. These mandates state that applicators must pass written examinations to be licensed. Applicators must re-certify either by re-examination or by attending pesticide education programs to acquire continuing education credits. The St. Lucie County Natural Resources Agent, often in conjunction with other agents, provided education training courses and licensing examination opportunities for local restricted-use pesticide applicators.

For more information about the General Certification Standards course, please call the Extension Office at (772) 462-1660.

 

When:                         Jan. 7, 2009
Time:                           9 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. (training) & 10:40 a.m. - 1 p.m. (testing)
Where:                        St Lucie County Extension, 8400 Picos Road, Ste 101, Fort Pierce
Registration:               (772) 462-1660
Registration Fee:        $15 - Checks only.