By Sarah Kingsley-Richards
On April 9 University of Vermont (UVM) Extension and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will offer pesticide applicator training and the written examination for initial certification for anyone required to have a Vermont pesticide applicator license.
This includes farmers, lawn care specialists, greenhouse or nursery owners and employees, university personnel, municipal employees, pest control operators and anyone else who uses restricted-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities. Licensed pesticide applicators also may attend the meeting at Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center to receive two Vermont recertification credits.
The session will be held at the Red Schoolhouse on campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is $20 if received by March 27, $30 after that date, with space limited to the first 50 people to register.
Registrations will be accepted online at www.regonline.com/2015initialcertificationmeeting. To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, please contact Sarah Kingsley-Richards at (802) 656-0475 by April 2.
The exam will be based on information found in the third edition of the Northeast Pesticide Applicator Core Manual, which participants must study in advance. Copies may be ordered through http://agriculture.vermont.gov/pesticide_regulation/applicator_dealer_resources. The cost is $41.
In the morning, representatives from UVM and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture will answer questions and review topics to be covered in the exam including state and federal pesticide laws and regulations; pest identification and control; protective equipment; pesticide formulations; equipment calibration; personal safety and first aid basics and proper use, storage and disposal of restricted-use pesticides. The exam will be offered from 2 to 4 p.m.
After passing the pesticide applicator initial exam, individuals whose work requires them to also have commercial or non-commercial certification in a specific category should contact the Vermont Agency of Agriculture at (802) 828-3482 for information about fees, required manuals and scheduling of category certification exams.