Commercial pesticide applicators are called upon by farmer's, businesses, golf courses, homeowners, and many others to control pests in a number of situations. These applicators are required to obtain continuing education credits to maintain their licenses. In 2017 the ANR and horticulture agents in the east part of district 6 provided applicators an opportunity to continue their education by hosting the SOKY Pesticide Training. This was the third year that this two day training opportunity, with production agriculture highlighted on the first day followed on the second day with an emphasis on turf and landscape companies, has been offered.

The 2017 SOKY Commercial Pesticide Training covered topics of seed treatment, aquatic weed control, insect identification, transportation regulations, and preparing for state pesticide inspection on day one for crop and forage applicators. The participants were also given the opportunity to learn from a hands on training on sprayer calibration. As a result of the training, 40% of the applicators planned to make changes in their daily job duties and responsibilities. Those changes include, but are not limited to being more proactive in making sure their fertilizer buggies are tarped, keeping better record books, and being more aware or observant in a commercial vehicle by using Bluetooth headsets. Of the participants on day one, 100% recognized increased knowledge of seed treatment; 97% recognized increased knowledge of aquatic weed control; 82% recognized increased knowledge of insect identification; 100% recognized increased knowledge of transportation regulations; and 85% recognized increased knowledge in using beneficial insects for pest control.

The 2017 SOKY Pesticide Training also covered topics of health and chemical safety, right of way regulations, ornamental diseases and control, transportation regulations, and turf grass pest control on day two. The participants on day two were also given the opportunity for hands on training in sprayer calibration that was focused on smaller amounts and acreages. Of the participants on day two, 100% recognized increased knowledge of health/chemical safety practices; 95% recognized increased knowledge of right of way regulations; 100% recognized increased knowledge of ornamental diseases and their control; 100% recognized increased knowledge of transportation regulations; 95% recognized increased knowledge of sprayer calibration and maintenance; and 100% recognized increased knowledge of turf grass management.

While many producers, managers, and property owners apply their own pesticides, the need for commercial applicators continues to grow. This program allows them to stay in compliance and meet the demands of an expanding market.