Proper pesticide use is important for not only pest control but for applicator safety. Restricted Use products are those that require specific training for their use due to potential concerns or harm to the environment or the applicator.

The Madison County ANR agent hosted two, in-person, Private Pesticide Applicator Training programs in late March 2021. Seventeen Madison County participants were trained in various aspects of general and Restricted Use pesticides including, recordkeeping, safety, personal protective equipment, sprayer cleanout, nozzle selection, drift reduction and labelling. The agent demonstrated a simple method for calibrating boom and boomless sprayers that included a step-by-step handout and provided personal experience with setting up and checking local sprayers. Each person received an information packet that included the pesticide applicator core manual, recordkeeping book and a sign to place in areas where their pesticides are stored.

Farmers learned how to use a website located at www.cdms.net to look up pesticide products and their label. This is helpful since occasionally labels are misplaced or the print is too small to read. Also, participants were taught how to look up the list of current Restricted Use pesticides from an EPA website. Finally, the ANR agent provided an update regarding our new, online, private pesticide applicator database and the procedure handling certification numbers. Producer certification is valid for three years and will allow them to purchase Restricted Use pesticides at local retailers in Kentucky.