Yes, it’s still Pesticide Applicator Recertification season! Darke County will hold their programs on Monday, Feb. 20, at the Versailles Schools, Marker Road, Versailles. Pesticide training will be held 9 a.m. to noon; FertCert 1 to 3 p.m. Go to http://pested.osu.edu/Recert/topofohio or contact Sam Custer at 937-548-5215 to register.
Miami County will be holding their program on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Adult Applied Technology Center in Piqua. They will offer the FertCert portion from 10 a.m. to noon with the Pesticide Recert from 1 to 4 p.m. You can register at the website above, or call Amanda Bennett at 937-440-3945.
If your Pesticide Applicator License expires in 2017, you’ve got until March 31 to get the training. There is only “one” program being held in this area of the state in March: Hardin County on March 14. Please plan accordingly!
Yes, I do get a lot of questions on how to get that Private Pesticide Applicator’s License the first time. The process is outlined at http://pested.osu.edu/home/privateapplicator/licensing. You can borrow study materials from our office. You will sign up for a testing date and location at this site: http://www.agri.ohio.gov/apps/odaprs/pestfert-prs-ols.aspx?ols=rg (automatically linked from the site above). There is also a link to the application itself which needs to be completed and submitted to ODA along with your $30 license fee. That’s it: Study, Pass the Test, Submit the Application and License Fee!.
The Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association Annual Banquet will be Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Houston Community Center, beginning at 7 p.m. The prime rib dinner will be followed by the program featuring Shelby County Engineer Robert Geuy giving an overview of Shelby County Infrastructure. The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association will also provide an industry update.
Tickets are $25 per person pre-sale; $30 at the door. Reservation deadline is Feb. 24. Yearly membership dues are $15 per person. You can contact Jeff Puthoff at 937-726-0478 or send an email to [email protected] to register for the banquet, join the email list, or renew your membership.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture will be holding Certified Livestock Manager Training on March 1-2 at their facility in Reynoldsburg. This two-day session will cover topics such as nutrient management, water quality issues, biosecurity protocols, record keeping, manure technology and equipment, spill response, safety issues, and a review of the rules and regulations concerning manure handling.
Anyone who buys, sells, land applies, or transports more than 4,500 dry tons of solid manure or 25 million gallons of liquid manure a year as well as owners/operators of a major concentrated animal feeding facility are required to become a Certified Livestock Manager. Those who buy, sell, land apply, or transport less manure but want to learn more about best management practices are encouraged to attend. Continuing Education Credits for both CLMs and CCAs will be available. The registration deadline is Feb. 24; cost: $30 per day.
To receive CLM certification through the ODA, a farmer or custom applicator must attend both days of training, complete the CLM application and submit the $50 application fee to ODA. For more information, visit their web site at: www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/dlep/dlep.aspx and click on “Licensing Requirements.” We also have fliers and registration forms in our office.
The first Quality Assurance Training for 4-H members with livestock projects will be Sunday, Feb. 19, with test-out from noon to 12:45 p.m. and the training from 1 to 3 p.m.
Well, it’s sure nice having the kids next door! We have extra sets of hands to help do chores! We can call on James or Genevieve to feed the steers, chicken and cats at the barn when both Stanley and I are tied up with work or sickness! So far, that’s worked out well!
