For those people who have been asking when is Paulding County going to be a testing site for the Pesticide or Fertilizer test, we are now going to have two dates in 2019. Registration seats for the test will still need to be secured through the Ohio Department of Agriculture at https://agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/plant-health/pesticides/ . When getting on the website please choose the section in the middle of the page “Exam – then register for your exam” (see picture below).
All persons testing must test in CORE and a minimum of one other category. Typically, pesticide applicators in NW Ohio hold Category 1 (Grain and Cereal Crops). Sometimes, we see producers with livestock and forages testing additionally in Category 2 (Forage Crops and Livestock). Finally, the other category is crop/livestock producers hold is Category 6 (Fumigation). This is for those persons holding a PRIVATE pesticide license. Additionally, those without a Fertilizer Certificate can either take the test in Category 15 or attending one of the 3 hour classes in NW Ohio.
The following are the categories in which you can be a licensed private pesticide applicator and their descriptions:
CORE—As part of their training for using pesticides legally and safely, every licensed pesticide applicator must have CORE.
1 – Grain and Cereal Crops
Application of restricted-use pesticides, except fumigants, to agronomic field crops including, but not limited to, corn, grain, sorghums, other small grains, soybeans, and sweet corn; and application of specialty uses (see Category 7).
2 – Forage Crops and Livestock
Application of restricted-use pesticides, except fumigants, to crops grown primarily for use as hay, forage, fodder, or ensilage, and includes, but not limited to, such crops as corn and legumes, and to domestic animals which are held as agricultural commodities and their quarters; and application of specialty uses (see Category 7).
3 – Fruit and Vegetable Crops
Application of restricted-use pesticides, except fumigants, to orchard fruit crops, and small fruits including, but not limited to, strawberries, brambles, and grapes, field-grown vegetables, sugar beets, sweet corn, and other horticultural crops grown primarily for human consumption; and application of specialty uses (see Category 7).
4 – Nursery and Forest Crops
Application of restricted-use pesticides, except fumigants, to commercial nursery crops including, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous plants produced for replanting for their ornamental value or for future fruit production; and tree crops produced for use as Christmas trees or for their utilitarian value; and application of specialty uses (see Category 7).
5 – Greenhouse Crops
Applications of restricted-use pesticides, except fumigants, to crops grown for food production or ornamental value under an impervious surface large enough to permit worker entry; and application of specialty uses (see Category 7).
6 – Fumigation
Application of restricted-use fumigants to soil, grain storage, greenhouse areas or any other confined areas; and application of specialty uses (see Category 7).
7 – Specialty Uses
Applicator only needs this category if he or she does NOT hold one or more of categories (1-6).
The dates of the testing will be
- Thursday, February 14 at 9:00 in the Large Hall at the Extension Office
- Tuesday, March 26 at 1:00 PM in the Youth Leadership Building on the Fairgrounds.
If you have any questions, need help registering or need to order study materials please call our office.