Pesticide Training: This is the big year for pesticide training where the majority of people in the State need private applicator certification. There are a number of trainings available if you’re unable to attend the dates/times in the county you reside in. All trainings are listed at: https://go.unl.edu/psep26.

I apologize for the confusion and need to correct something I wrote regarding pesticide training. What I shared was the way we had always been taught was the law, but I was told by Nebraska Dept of Ag this week that the way it’s been written doesn’t share the whole information. When it says certified applicators are ones who “purchase and use restricted use pesticides”, the “purchase” is referring to “purchase by a retailer”. Thus, for those of you who are solely relying on a Coop or ag retailer to apply your restricted use pesticides and you are not applying them yourselves, you technically do not need a private applicator license. Feel free to call if you have specific questions regarding your situation.

The first trainings in York are this Thursday, January 15^th at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Cornerstone Event Center (Fairgrounds) in York. We have been asking for RSVP to 402-362-5508 to save on the time for registration at the door, but walk-ins are welcome. Attendees need to bring a valid driver’s license or legal identification and $60/person. Those who are recertifying should also bring your NDA barcode letter, but we have other paperwork if you don’t have that for some reason.

If you don’t prefer to do the face to face training, other ways one can certify as a private applicator include an online self-study course and exam (cost $100) or attend the all-day Crop Production Clinic (cost $110) RSVP: https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc/.

Crop Production Clinics: Especially for commercial and non-commercial applicators, Crop Production Clinics is the easiest way to recertify for the 00 and 01 categories. Please register at: https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc/ for the location you wish to attend.

Also a reminder of the Nitrogen Challenge this week on Friday, Jan. 16th beginning at 9 a.m. at the Holthus Convention Center. If you’re interested in learning more about better managing nitrogen resources on your farm and most likely saving on nitrogen inputs, I hope you will consider joining us. Please RSVP to 402-362-5508 for meal count.