Georgia changing its pesticide training program for farmers, landscapers

ATHENS — With new rules in place and reduced funding, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service is making changes to its program that provides the training and information that farmers and other private pesticide applicators need to ensure the safe use of pesticides.

Extension officials say the new system is needed to ensure compliance with changes mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Our commitment to the safety of those who work on farms, those who eat the produce grown in our state, and the general public has always been a big part of what we do here,” Mark McCann, assistant dean for Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension at UGA, said. “We will continue to make sure that those who use restricted-use pesticides as part of their livelihoods – landscapers and farmers – will have 24/7 access to the training they need to use those pesticides safely.”

Extension officials have developed a Georgia-specific curriculum and exam series, including an online training system, that will be available 24 hours a day, seven days week.

While more local control has been given regarding training because of the EPA rules changes, there has also been a reduction in federal monetary support. The online training, which has been free, will now cost $25, Extension officials said. The new system starts May 1.

“We have tried to position the fee so it’s not an impediment, but it does offset a portion of the costs,” McCann said. “There is no additional licensing fee from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.”

Extension officials said other major changes in Georgia’s program based on the EPA rule change are:

— RECERTIFICATION CREDITS: Pesticide applicators were required to attain three hours of continuing education credit every five years. In the future, the requirement will be five hours every five years. This rule needs to be made official within the regulations of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, so it will not take effect until the state department updates its rules.

— NEW EMPHASIS ON SAFETY: All future workshops and field days offering continuing credits for the pesticide licensure will include a section on pesticide safety. This section must take up 10-15 minutes of the workshop or field day.

— ONLINE TRAINING: Most training has taken place in county Extension offices. The new training will be taken online, with testing at the end of each section. A passing score is required to proceed to the next section.

— TESTING: Trainees now take about two hours to complete the course and certification test. Under the new program, it will take four-five hours to complete. Individuals will be able to take breaks and return to the online course as needed.

— TEMPORARY LICENSURE: Farmers will continue to be able to get a temporary license upon completing the exam and the license application with their agent.

For more information about pesticide training, contact a local UGA Extension office at 1 (800) ASK-UGA1.