Safety training offered for pesticide applicators

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, is offering a free workshop Feb. 11 to train people throughout the state how to properly handle and use pesticides. The workshop is meant for certified applicators, people who regularly handle pesticides as part of their jobs, such as farmers, ranchers, park employees and groundskeepers. Attendees will receive continuing education units.

The training will be held in Reno at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension office, 4955 Energy Way, and will be made available via interactive video to 14 other Cooperative Extension locations throughout Nevada, including Battle Mountain, Caliente, Carson City, Elko, Ely, Eureka, Fallon, Hawthorne, Las Vegas, Lovelock, Pahrump, Tonopah, Winnemucca and Yerington. The training runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The pesticide application workshops have occurred for the last 20 years by training thousands of Nevadans in safe pesticide use.

“This training seeks to provide certified pesticide applicators with additional education on pesticide safety — topics not covered during basic trainings.” Cooperative Extension Urban Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety Program Assistant Melody Hefner said. “It’s important for applicators to keep abreast of new pesticide developments and regulatory updates.”

The Feb. 11 workshop is not intended to help those who have not yet been certified to prepare for the Certified Pesticide Applicator exam. However, the exam will be offered on Feb. 13 at 9 a.m. at the Cooperative Extension office in Reno. The exam costs $25, cash or check only, with checks made out to the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Exams are also given weekly at the Nevada Department of Agriculture offices in Sparks and Las Vegas by appointment only.

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 Feb.11 workshop. Preregister by the Feb. 6 deadline 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.