Farmers with Private Pesticide Applicator certifications (PPA) that expire on March 1, 2022, will need to renew their licenses for the 2022 growing season. The Private Applicators certificate is for farm operators who are applying restricted-use pesticide products on their fields. This includes different herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and other pest control products labeled “restricted use”. Registration for these workshops is strongly encouraged to secure your seat. The process to renew your license remains similar to previous years, with a few newer options for 2022. Farmers have five options for how they can choose to renew permits this year.
UMN Extension ag educator Heather Dufault says that “applicators are welcome to attend an in-person workshop conducted by University of Minnesota Extension staff. To ensure a seat, pre-registration must be done online at www.pat.umn.edu, 3 days prior to the workshop. Walk-ins are still welcome, provided that there is enough space. Applicators must bring an official picture ID, such as a driver’s license, their current license card, and a check to pay the $75 permit fee. Applicators must arrive on time and stay for the entire workshop. Due to a water leak in Youngquist Auditorium, this meeting will now be held in the Bede Ballroom on the University of MN Crookston campus on February 25, at 1 p.m. Parking can be in the NWROC lot, the Valley Technology lot, or Parking Lot A. No parking tickets will be given on this day.
Other recertification options include taking a written exam that is available at county Extension offices. “Applicators mail a $75 check along with a completed test answer sheet in an envelope provided at the Extension office,” explains Dufault. Applicants are urged to call ahead before stopping by local offices, as appointments might be necessary. Producers can also recertify by taking a similar test online or by completing a self-paced online course. You must register and complete all required components by no later than February 28th to receive credit. Registration is at www.pat.umn.edu under the “Self-paced course” tab. Lastly, an online recertification workshop will be offered on February 24.
There is one online workshop offered on February 24 at 1 p.m., and applicators must pre-register to attend the Zoom workshop, check in 30-minutes before the start of the workshop, have their applicator license card on hand and available. All Zoom workshops are limited to 50 people and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applicators must have an internet-connected device with a video camera and sound.
First-time Private Pesticide Applicators or those with certifications that expired prior to March 1st, 2022, must take and pass either a paper-based or online test.
For questions about the Private Pesticide Applicator Certification process, call your county Extension office. In case of inclement weather, call either the Farm Information Line at (800) 232-9077 or the coordinating U of M Extension office before getting on the road. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
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For more news from U of M Extension, visit www.extension.umn.edu/news or contact Extension Communications at extdigest@umn.edu. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
