Cooperative Extension offers pesticide training

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, is offering a free workshop Nov. 13 to train people throughout the state how to properly handle and use pesticides. The workshop is meant for certified applicators and people who regularly handle pesticides as part of their jobs, such as farmers, ranchers, park employees and groundskeepers.

“It’s important for applicators to receive up-to-date information about pesticide regulations and how to apply pesticides safely,” Cooperative Extension Urban Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety Program Assistant Melody Hefner said. “The workshop teaches applicators how to protect themselves, other people, pets, livestock, wildlife and the environment.”

The training will be held in Reno at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension office, 4955 Energy Way, and will be made available via videoconference to 12 other Cooperative Extension locations throughout Nevada, including Battle Mountain, Carson City, Elko, Ely, Eureka, Fallon, Gardnerville, Hawthorne, Pahrump, Tonopah, Winnemucca and Yerington. The training runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, has offered pesticide application workshops for the last 20 years, training thousands of Nevadans in safe pesticide use.

The Nov. 13 workshop will help those who have not yet been certified to prepare for the next Certified Pesticide Applicator exam. The exam costs $25 and will be offered Nov. 14 in Sparks at the Nevada Department of Agriculture office, 405 South 21st St., and in Elko at the department’s office at 4780 E. Idaho St. The exam will also be offered Nov. 17 in Winnemucca at the Cooperative Extension office, 1085 Fairgrounds Road. Exams are also given weekly at the Nevada Department of Agriculture office in Sparks by appointment only. For those who are already certified, the workshop will provide continuing education credits, which are required to maintain certification.

Hard copies of the study manual for the exam are available for purchase from Cooperative Extension for $15 or may be downloaded online for free at www.nevadapesticideeducation.com.

Limited seating is available for the Nov. 13 workshop. Preregister by Nov. 7 by contacting Hefner at 775-336-0247 or hefnerm@unce.unr.edu. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the scheduled event.