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Our goal is to train and certify pesticide applicators so they will be competent to use pesticides in a manner that will not harm themselves, the general public, or the environment. The project will train people who use pesticides to raise crops (private applicators or farmers) and people who merchandise and apply pesticides for commercial / public purposes (pesticide dealers and custom applicators, researchers, public health officials). At the time of this writing, there are about 13,000 active private certifications and 8,500 active commercial/public/dealer certifications in North Dakota. The project anticipates training and/or certifying 4,500 dealers and commercial / public / private applicators. About 2,000 commercial and 2,500 private applicators will be trained and/or certified. In order to accomplish this, about 3,500 exams will be administered and 140 trainings delivered.
Non-Technical Summary:<br/>
The NDSU Extension Pesticide Program was established in response to the general public's concern that pesticide use should be regulated. The mission of the program is to train people in the safe, effective, and legal use of pesticides and to measure and certify applicator competence.
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Approach:<br/>
We will develop curricula and supporting educational materials, deliver commercial training sessions, oversee county extension agent delivery of private applicator training events, design and oversee exams for both commercial and private certificate holders, maintain a database on the status of commercial certificate holders, supervise the record keeping of private applicators, and verify and administer financial responsibility requirements for commercial pesticide applicators.