COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — The end of 2019 is fast approaching, and for private applicators with expiring licenses, it also means that some producers may find that they need to attend an approved program or two by year’s end.
Private applicators are typically individuals who spray restricted use pesticides and/or apply fertilizer (manure) from a confined feeding operation (CFO) to their own land. Individuals in related capacities may also need a private applicator license (see websites at end of article for details). Individuals may possess a private pesticide applicator license, a private fertilizer applicator license, or a private applicator license with both endorsements.
A private applicator license is active for a period of five years. Private applicators must attend three private applicator recertification programs (PARPs) within that five-year period to keep their license active and avoid the need to re-test. However, no more than two programs may be attended for credit in any one calendar year.
One implication of that requirement is that private applicators cannot wait until the final year of their active license and attend all three required programs. For those producers whose license expires Dec. 31, 2020 (next year), you should check your records to see that you have at least one program attended for credit by the end of this year.
An on-line program is available, but it may only be taken once for credit (one of the three required programs in five years). Go to www.digitaleducation.purdue.edu/parp2019 to register. The cost is the same as attending an in-person program: $10.
Producers may also check periodically for updated listings of in-person programs available in the region at: https://ppp.purdue.edu/private-applicators/recertification-parp/parp-events/. This website is updated often, and I expect additional programs to be added soon. Approved programs may be attended anywhere in the state for credit; programs do not need to be exclusively within your county of origin.
Noble and Whitley Counties will be hosting a PARP event on Dec. 19 targeted toward livestock producers and private fertilizer applicators (however, it will also count toward private pesticide applicators). The event will run 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Noble County Extension Office, and again from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Whitley County 4-H Center. Call the respective Extension office to reserve your spot: Noble County, 260-636-2111, or Whitley County, 260-244-7615. Topics will include manure management, soil and manure testing, and precautions to take when applying manure near produce farms.
For more information about Purdue Pesticide Programs, visit their website at: https://ppp.purdue.edu. Office of the Indiana State Chemist (regulatory authority) website is at: https://www.oisc.purdue.edu.
— John E. Woodmansee, Extension Educator, Agriculture/Natural Resources
Purdue University Extension Whitley County
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