3 chances to get update

It’s a new year and if you hold a private pesticide applicator’s license, you will have received a notice from the state Department of Agriculture reminding you to attend an update session for the credits necessary to keep your license current.

The Penn State Cooperative Extension office in Butler County will offer three opportunities for obtaining update credits through the “2 plus 2 series” of evening meetings.

All of the sessions will be held at the extension office located in Building 10 on the grounds of Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center from 7 to 9 p.m.

Pending PDA approval, all of the meetings will provide two core and two category credits. Dates and topics include:

• Thursday, Feb. 9 —“Safe Use of Pesticides” (core); “2011 Review Lessons Learned” and “Soybean Disease Management” (categories 01-Agronomy, 18-R & D).

• Monday, Feb. 13 — “Pesticide Benefits Assessments” and “Professionalism” (core); “Fungicide Use and Management” (categories 01-Agronomy, 18-R & D).

• Tuesday, Feb. 28 – “Pesticides and the Environment” (core); “Soybean Insect Management” (categories 01-Agronomy or 18-R & D).

Seating is limited to the first 40 registrations. Walk-ins will be accepted only if seating is available.

Registration is $5 per person for each session.

Registrations are being accepted at the extension office. Phone 724-287-4761, Ext. 222.

The “2 plus 2 series” is also being offered in neighboring counties, with afternoon sessions available in some locations.

A complete list of locations and times will be sent to all pesticide applicator license holders.

Individuals who need credits for categories other than those offered can also contact the extension office for information on additional training sessions offered at other locations in Western Pennsylvania.

Crops conference set

A full day crop conference is planned for Wednesday, Feb. 15th at The Atrium, located on Route 422 west of Butler. The program gets under way at 9 a.m. and concludes at 3:45 p.m.

Topics to be covered include: “No-Till Crop Production,” “Integrated Pest Management,” “Forage Management,” “Crop Management,” “Sustainable Cropping Systems” and “Nutrient Management.”

Registration is required and is due by Feb. 8th. You may register online and pay with any major credit card at extension.psu.edu/events or call toll-free at 877-489-1398.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.