AgriLife Extension offers pesticide applicator training in Canyon

Contact: Dr. J. D. Ragland, 806-468-5543, j-ragland@tamu.edu

CANYON – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Randall County will be conducting a Pesticide Applicator Training from 9-11 a.m. July 31 at the Kuhlman Extension Center, 200 N. Brown Road in Canyon.

The training is the first required step for anyone interested in obtaining a private pesticide applicator license, said Dr. J. D. Ragland, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Randall County.

However, Ragland noted, the required testing for applicator licensing will not be available at this training.

Ragland said a private applicator license allows the holder to purchase restricted-use pesticides and herbicide products not sold over the counter. Once an applicant completes the training and successfully passes the written exam, they will receive their license by direct mail from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

The license will remain in good standing for five years and be renewed as long as the applicant accumulates a total of 15 continuing education units during that five-year period, he said. If the required 15 CEU’s are not obtained, the license will expire. If this happens, the applicant must wait one year before being allowed to complete the entire process again.

Cost is $10 per participant, payable at the door. However, an RSVP is required by calling the AgriLife Extension office at 806-468-5543 by 5 p.m. July 29. If there are no RSVPs, the training class will not be held.

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