By Katie Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension
PRESTON and CALEDONIA, Minn. (12/27/2022) — Farmers with Private Pesticide Applicator certifications (PPA) that expire on March 1, 2023, will need to renew that license for the 2023 growing season. The process to renew your license remains similar to what it has been from previous years. Farmers can renew permits again this year by 1 of 4 options.
1.) Attend an “In-Person Renewal Workshop” conducted by University of Minnesota Extension staff. Pre-registration is encouraged and available online. Walk-ins are still welcome, but available seats will be given to pre-registered attendees first. Bring an official picture ID, such as a driver’s license, your current permit card if you have one, and a check to pay the $75 permit fee. All attendees must arrive on time and stay for the entire workshop. Anyone 15 minutes late or who leaves before workshop completion will not get credit for the workshop. You can attend any workshop that is convenient. All workshop locations are listed in the mailed newsletters and at the UMN Extension Pesticide Safety website, pat.umn.edu.
Renewal workshops in Fillmore and Houston counties include:
Caledonia: Monday, January 30, 2023 at 12:30 - 4:00 pm at the Houston County Justice Center (304 S Marshall St. Caledonia MN 55921) basement meeting room.
Wykoff: Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 12:30 - 4:00 pm at the Wykoff Community Center (226 N Gold Street Wykoff MN 55990).
2.) Take the written exam that is available at your local County Extension offices. The 19th Edition Manual is the current reference for the exam and is available for $10 at your local County Extension office. Mail the $75 permit fee along with your test answer sheet in the envelope provided.
3.) Take the exam online by going to the University of Minnesota Extension website and looking under the Private Pesticide applicators page. The $75 permit fee is paid by credit card and the manual can be viewed online. The online exam will be available beginning on January 4, 2023.
4.) Attend a live online Zoom Recertification Workshop. You must pre-register at least 5 days prior to the session to attend the Zoom workshop. Check-in time starts 30-minutes prior to the start of the workshop, and you must have your applicator license on hand and available. You must have an internet connected device with a video camera, microphone and speaker. Participation is required. All Zoom Workshops are limited to 50 people and on a first come first serve basis. You must remain online for the entirety of the workshop to receive credit. The $75 fee is paid by credit card online.
First time Private Pesticide Applicators or those with certifications that expired prior to March 1, 2023 must use option 2 or 3 to be certified. The Private Applicators certificate is for farm operators who are applying restricted use pesticide products on their fields. This includes herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and other pest control products labeled “Restricted Use”.
For questions about the Private Pesticide Applicator Certification process, please reach out to your local County Extension Office. Residents in Fillmore and Houston counties can call 507-765-3896 or 507-725-5807 or email wins0115@umn.edu. In case of inclement weather, call either the Farm Information Line at (800) 232-9077, or the coordinating U of M Extension Office before getting on the road. Always use your best judgment with the weather.