/BP-L>nwaaici~iaiiiiiii6rj«tanwi7i jwjf ■«*» By: RONALD L. JOHNSON Director, Division of Plant Industries Maryland Department of Agriculture ANNAPOLIS, Md. One of the largest educational projects in the history of Maryland agriculture will soon begin as a training program to certify all farmers who will buy and use restricted use pesticides. In Maryland an estimated 12,500 farmers and farm operators will undergo certification beginning this summer with a goal of completion of October. 1977. The program in Maryland will be a joint effort between the Cooperative Extension Service which will provide the training and the Maryland Department of Agriculture which will certify persons who qualify as “private applicators” of pesticides. The reason for the certification program required by both federal and state law is simple: after October 1977 ap plicators will have to show proof that they are certified to buy and use restricted use pesticides before they will be able to purchase them. It is expected that some of the commonly used pesticides will be restricted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This action is expected as a result of amendments to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) that were passed by Congress in 1972. Among other things, FIFRA now requires EPA to register all pesticides (prevjirtlsly it was permissable for a state to register pesticides for use only within that state) and to classify thepi for general or restricted use. EPA is required to identify restricted pesticides by October 1977. As indicated, the law also requires that applicators be certified before using restricted use pesticides. Any producers of agricultural crops qualify as “private 4-H’ers hosted in Berks County LEESPORT County 4-Hers recently hosted members of the Armstrong County 4-H Club participating in a 6-day heritage tour throughout Pennsylvania. Recreational activities and a covered dish supper planned by the Berks 4-H team leaders were held on June 22 at Gring’s Mill Park, after which the visitors were housed for the night with families of Berks 4-H members. The tour is part of an Armstrong County 4-H citizenship and leadership training program and in cluded visits to such places as Hopewell Village, Daniel Boone Homestead, Philadelphia, Gettysburg, and Valley Forge, as well as Pesticide certification begins exchange visits with 4-H club groups in 12 counties. Berks County families who participated in the exchange program were: Paul C. Davis, 3601 River Road, Reading; Dragomir Gajic, 475 Highland Avenue,. Kutztown; William Geiger, 25 Shelbourne Road, Reading; David J. Hauseman, Oley, R 1; Wilson Heffner, Fleetwood, R 3; Connie Morin Held, 545 Reading Ave., West Reading; William Howerter, Kempton, F 2; Robert Kieffer, Hamburg, R 2; George Malsbury, Rehr sburg; George Moyer, Meyerstown, R 1, Box 143; Lawrence Stratton, Kutz town, College Hill; Wilbur Strieker, Robesonia, R 1; Robert Wolfe, Leesport, R 1; Robert Yanos, Douglassville, R 2. Berks applicators”. All others must use general use pesticides or become certified as a “commercial applicator”. Maryland intends to discontinue its list of restricted pesticides this year and go strictly with the list developed by EPA. The state will certify applicators under a program which must be approved by EPA. The program has already been submitted to EPA and approval is expected in the near future. Under the Maryland program there are two ways farmers can become certified. The first option works like this: The farmer obtains the basic training manual, other training materials he may need and an examination from his County Agent. He studies the training manual and when he believes he is ready takes the examination at home and forwards the answer sheet and a $5 certification fee to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. This optional method of direct testing is 'designed for those farmers who keep up to date on pesticides and are familiar on a day-to-day basis-with their use. The examination form also serves as an application for private applicator certification. If the farmer passed the examination and submits his certification fee, he is then certified by the Department for a period of five years beginning in October 1977. A plastic identification card much like a gasoline or bank credit card will be issued to those who become certified. The fee of $5O covers training materials and administration costs is charged for the five year certification. The''second method requires a farmer to complete a training course to be given by the extension service. The County Agent works up class dates convenient to farmers in his county. The training manual is reviewed in the course taught'by Extension Agents and specialists and review questions are asked. Upon completion of the course, the Extension Agent vertifies to the Department those persons who have completed the course satisfactorily. They will then be certified by the Department by making application and submitting the $5.00 certification fee. No examination is required when this method of certification is used. If a person fails to pass the take-home exam, he will be required to complete the training option before he can become certified. There are five main areas in which EPA requires private applicators to demonstrate competency. These are: 1. The recognition of common pests and the damage they do; 2. Reading and understanding the label on the pesticide to be used, with particular emphasis on timing, methods of application, safety precautions, re-entry restrictions and any specific disposal methods involved; 3. Applying the pesticide in accordance with label in- FREY FREE STALL LIFETIME FREE STALL HOUSING Cut bedding costs 75 per ce.nt, reduce labor for barn cleaning and cow washing; reduce teat and udder injury to the minimum house your milking herd in free stall housing. Each cow provided a stall for loafing. She won’t be stepped on, the rear curb forces manure out into alley for mechanical cleaning or washing. A few minutes twice a day cleans the stalls and curbs, bedding •lasts almost forever if your stalls fit the cows. Popular sizes are 6’6”, 7’ and 7’6”. Size ’em by breed. Our free stall partition may be mounted on wooden head boards or we make a steel divider. Set the legs in 8 to 10” concrete curbs to hold and retain bedding. Stall floor can be soil, sand or gravel. Bedding straw, sawdust, peanut hulls, ground com cobs, etc. Should be installed with paved alley surface 8 feet wide for mechanical cleaning or washing. - 8 Models all steel welded farm and feedlot gates - 2 Models all steel welded head catch gate For prices, contact: Fred Frey, Mgr. (717) 786-2146 FREY BROS. RD2 Quarryville, PA 17566 structions such as preparing the material- In the p ro , concentration, 4. Recognizing local environmental situations that hav< be taken into account during application of the pesticide avoid contamination; and 5. Recognizing poison symptoms of pesticides and know what first aid procedures are to be taken in care o pesticide accident. These five areas are covered in the basic training main -and supplemental training materials and in the exanunat and training sessions. We in Maryland have worked for many months q agricultural interests and EPA to develop a practi program for private applicator certification. We have bi able to persuade EPA that a fair and open approach must taken on such a large project. While Maryland farmers hi an excellent record on using pesticides safely, we feel t program will contribute significantly towards maintain that record and in improving the farmers ability to contu using pesticides safely and effectively. Although none of like further government regulation and interference, we f this program can be advantageous to all. I urge all farmers to work with us-in this certificat program so that we can meet the standards established state and federal laws and regulations. If you have questu about the program contact my office as follows:'Ronald Johnson, Director, Division of Plant Industries, Maryls Department of Agriculture, Parole Plaza Office Buildi Annapolis, Maryland 21401, 301-267-1325 or Mr. Da Shriver, Supervisor, Pesticide Regulations, Maryla Department of Agriculture, 2119 Symons Hall, College Pa Maryland 20742, 301-454-4635. 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