I’ve received several questions about various certifications, so sharing on that. In the next few weeks, those of you in this part of the State will also receive our Extension winter program mailing with info.

Private Pesticide Applicator Training is for those who purchase and/or use restricted use pesticides on land you own/rent. Those desiring initial certification or recertification have the same options:

1-Attend a face to face training.
2-Take the online training at https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training (available after Jan. 1)
3-Attend a Crop Production Clinic (need to stay the entire day) https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc

Commercial/Noncommercial Applicator Training is for those who apply pesticides on other people’s ground and receive a payment for those applications. Trainings and testing dates available after Jan. 1.

Initial certification involves purchasing the books in the categories you wish to be certified in. All need to be certified in the general standards (00) category in addition to the specific application category. You then have choices of walk-in testing, attending a training session, or taking the test at a computer center. Info. on the commercial/non-commercial tab at: https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training.

Recertification training for those with the Ag Pest Control-Plant category (01) is to attend our Crop Production Clinics. The closest to this area include Jan. 10 near Mead, Jan. 11 in Beatrice, Hastings on Jan. 17, and York on Jan. 19. Last year I enjoyed how we revamped the Mead and York locations to make them more hands-on. Unfortunately, they didn’t choose to keep that format and I mention that so you’re not expecting the new format at York this year. Info at: https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc. Recertification for other categories can be found at: https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training.

Spray Drone Certification is a question I’ve received several times. I asked Elizabeth Smith with NDA to specify requirements, “For drone applications the pilot will need to have the same level of certification as our fix winged aerial applicators (FAA Part 107): If they are applying an RUP (restricted use product) they need the applicator licensed with 00, 12, and any additional category for the line of work they would be in outside of Ag Plant which is included in the category 12 exam (ex: Ornamental and Turf, Right of Way, Aquatic). They would also then need the aerial business license unless they are only applying on land they own/lease. Drone operators need to fly under a commercial or noncommercial license as we cannot issue the aerial category to a private applicator license. As always they would also need to ensure there are no label restrictions on the product they intend to apply such as “Do not apply aerially”. For general use products (GUP) they do not need an applicator license but may still need the business license if they intend to apply on property other than their own.”

Chemigation is for anyone who applies fertilizer and/or chemicals through water systems like pivots and subsurface drip irrigation. Options for initial and recertification include face-to-face meetings and online testing at: https://water.unl.edu/article/agricultural-irrigation/chemigation.

Dicamba and Paraquat training are offered by the manufacturing companies. Info. on dicamba training here:  https://nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/dicamba.html.  Info. on paraquat training here (English & Spanish): https://campus.extension.org/login/index.php

Worker Protection Standard training materials can be found at https://www.pesticideresources.org/wps/full-library/#categories:training-materials. At this site, use the drop-down menu and select the “role” of those being trained. There are different training requirements for ‘workers’ vs. ‘handlers’.