Classes set for farmers to receive pesticide certification

The Sutter County Agricultural Department has scheduled four continuing education courses over the next two months for farmers looking to get the credits needed to renew their private applicator certificates.

In order for a farmer to spray pesticides, they must first get a private applicator certificate or state license, which typically needs to be renewed every few years depending on type. Before a certificate or license can be issued, the private applicator must complete a certain number of hours of Continuing Education courses.

“We put these on every year, typically offering about four courses. The hours break down differently based on the license, but for a private applicator certificate, they just need two hours of laws and regulations and four hours of other courses,” said Sean Nelson, an ag biologist for Sutter County.

Each of the four meetings being put on by the Sutter County Agricultural Department will be worth three hours of Continuing Education credit.

Private applicator certificate holders with last names beginning in A-H will need to renew their certificate this year, as those are set to expire by the end of 2018.

Meetings will be held on Nov. 14, Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 at the ag

Nov. 14: Almond Pest Management; Proper Protective Equipment (PPE); Chlorpyrifos and Copper Exceedances; Nitrogen Management Plan; Pesticide Use Near Schools Update.

Nov. 28: Emerging Issues in Rice Weed Control; Chlorpyrifos and Copper Exceedances; Nitrogen Management Plan; Pesticide Handler Training Requirements; Pesticide Use Near Schools Update.

Dec. 5: UC Walnut Update; Chlorpyrifos and Copper Exceedances; Nitrogen Management Plan; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Pesticide Handler Training Requirements.

Dec. 12: Optimizing Existing Pesticide Applications; Reducing Off-farm Movement of Pesticides; Chlorpyrifos and Cooper Exceedances; Nitrogen Management Plan; Pesticide Label Reading; Pesticide Use Near Schools Update.

department’s offices – 142 Garden Highway, Yuba City – from 9 a.m.noon. Those that attend must arrive before 9 a.m. to be admitted. Dec. 1. Children, youth and adult sizes are being accepted.

If someone is in need of a new coat, they can fill out a request card at the front dest of the Sutter County Department of Child Support Services, 543 Garden Highway, Suite A, Yuba City. Donations can also be dropped off at that location.

The department is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Cynthia Weinel at 822-7338, ext. 246, or weinel.cynthia@suttercse. ca.gov.