PESTICIDE LICENSE RENEWALS UNDERWAY

    Every year about this time my telephone starts ringing with questions about where one can get some CEU’s for their pesticide applicators license, since they just got their renewal notice in the mail from Texas Department of Agriculture.  So, here are a few tips for consideration.

    Start early! Continuing education activities occur year-round across the state. In Nueces County alone, in the year 2009, 38 hours of CEU’s were offered. You may not find affordable, convenient or sufficient numbers of opportunities if you wait until your license or certificate
renewal deadline is near.

    Monitor the TDA list of approved recertification courses and training contacts. It’s available from the Certification and Training Division by calling 800-835-5832 (800-TELL-TDA). The list, along with links to Internet - accessible CEU’s, is also posted on the TDA website at: http://www.agr.state.tx.us/internet/ceucourse/search.jsp

Notify training contacts of your interest. They may be able to inform you when they have upcoming activities. Several commercial trainers offer courses exclusively for pesticide applicators. In addition, CEU’s are issued at many county programs sponsored by Texas AgriLife Extension Service.  Request to be placed on your local County Extension Agent’s mailing list.

    Retain your Certificates of Completion. Although some commercial trainers may provide duplicate certificates, there is no recourse for lost certificates from the Extension Service. No single source provides cumulative tracking of all the CEU’s that you acquire. Shortly before your license or certificate expires, you will receive an application for renewal from the Texas Department of Agriculture. (Be sure to notify TDA if your address has changed.) After you submit the application for renewal, your license or certificate should a arrive within a  few weeks. Keep your Certificates of Completion for one year following renewal.

    WHAT CEU’s DO YOU NEED?  For Private Applicators: 15 CEU’s every five years, including a minimum of 2 in Laws and Regulations, and 2 in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Up to 10 CEU’s may be obtained through TDA approved home study programs.For Commercial and Noncommercial Applicators: 5 CEU’s annually, including at least 1 CEU each in two of three special topics: Laws & Regulations, IPM, and Drift Minimization. CEU’s from TDA-approved home study may be used to re-certify only every other year. No CEU Carryover: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) must be acquired prior to renewal. Extra CEU credit obtained in one renewal cycle cannot be forwarded and used in the next renewal cycle.

    Federal and state pesticide laws and regulations continue to change due to pressure on regulatory agencies from the public and organizations with concern(s) for environmental and public health protection. Application of pesticides by either ground or air may cause drift problems that result in property and human exposure.  Effective May 4, 2008 Section 7.24 (t)(1) was revised to require individuals licensed as commercial or noncommercial applicators in the “Aerial” category to receive 1 CEU specifically addressing the challenges associated with “Minimizing Pesticide Drift” from aircraft (fixed wing or rotary). They must also receive 1 CEU in Laws & Regulations (L&Rs), and 1 CEU in pesticide safety. The remaining 2 CEUs can be in the general category or other subject matter areas (ex. weed and brush, IPM).

VIDEO CEU CONFERENCE - FEBRUARY 19
    To help meet the needs of some last minute CEU hunters, a Video CEU Course will be conducted on Friday, February 19, 2010 at the Nueces County Extension Office, (710 E. Main - Calderon Bldg. in Robstown, Tx) beginning at 8:30 a.m. and concluding by 4:00 p.m.  A total of 6 CEU’s will be offered.

TURF CONFERENCE - FEBRAURY 23
    The Nueces County Extension LAB and Texas AgriLife Extension Service will sponsor the 12th Annual South Texas Turf Management Conference on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at the Del Mar Economic Development Center, 3209 S. Staples, Corpus Christi, Texas, in room 106.

    The purpose of this conference is to provide information that will benefit turf management professionals in South Texas.  The conference will begin with registration at 8:15 a.m. followed by the program at 8:30 a.m.  Participants will be provided lunch during the conference which will conclude at 4:00 p.m.

    Topics and speakers in the morning session will include turf physiology, irrigation and turfgrass drought resistance. Topics for the afternoon session will include weed control and drift minimization. Speakers will include turfgrass specialists with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, David Chalmers and Jim McAfee, Danielle Converse with the Corpus Christi Stormwater Department, and Jeffrey Stapper, Nueces County Agriculture/Natural Resources Agent.

    The conference will provide 6 CEU’s through the Texas Department of Agriculture.  Registration is $30 per person which includes lunch.  All those planning to attend should preregister by contacting the Nueces County Extension Office at (361) 767-5217 no later than Tuesday, February 16.
Individuals with disabilities, who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in any of the mentioned activities, are encouraged to contact the County Extension Office eight days before all programs for assistance. Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.