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

Cooperative Extension in Butler County will provide five opportunities for obtaining update credits through the “2 + 2 series” of evening meetings.

All of the sessions will be held at the Butler County Extension Office located in building 10 on the grounds of Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Morton Avenue 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:

• Feb. 8 — Pesticide Calculations Using Rate-Based Math (core); Biorational Pesticides for Horticultural Producers (categories 02-Fruit/Nut, 03-Vegetable, 06-Ornamental/Shade Tree, 22-Greenhouse, 23-Parks/ Schools, and 18-R&D).

• Feb. 10 — What is IPM, Why Is It Important, Components and Tools (core); Please Don’t Eat My Daisies: Insect Pests of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants (categories 06-Ornamental/Shade Tree, 23-Parks/Schools, 18-R&D).

• Feb. 17 — Pesticide Exposure and Calibration (core); Pasture Weed Management (categories 01-Agronomy or 18-R&D)

• Feb. 21 — Container Recycling and Calibration (core); IPM and Cover Crops (categories 01-Agronomy or 18-R&D)

• Feb. 22 — Record Keeping and Calibration (core); What’s New in Agronomic Weed Control for 2011 (categories 01-Agronomy or 18-R&D)

Seating is limited to the first 40 paid registrants and registration in advance is required. Walk-ins will be accepted only if seating is available.

Registration fee is $5 per person for each session. Registrations are being accepted at the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761 Ext. 222.

The “2 + 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.

As a result of limited resources, there will not be a Crops Day in 2011 so make sure to take advantage of the sessions offered.

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.