Fertilizer Applicator Training
Any farmer/landowner that applies fertilizer to 50 acres or more for a crop that is primarily for sale must be certified. The next Fertilizer Training February 29, 2024 6:00-9:00 PM.
Please click here to register for the next session.
Private and Commercial Pesticide Applicator
Farmers and agricultural industry personnel can obtain either a “Private” or “Commercial” pesticide applicator license through the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA). OSU Extension helps in the licensing process by providing study material, practice exams, and local test preparation classes. OSU Extension also provides annual re-certification sessions for applicators to attend to obtain the continuing education requirements needed.
Private Pesticide Applicator’s Licenses are for farmers who apply restricted-use pesticides on his/her own land (or rented land) and produce an agricultural commodity. Each private applicator is required to take & pass the CORE test (general safety for the applicator and the environment) and any category(ies) that correspond to the crops he/she grows. There are 7 categories which certification can be received: Grain and Cereal Crops (category 1), Forage Crops and Livestock (category 2), Fruit and Vegetable Crops (category 3), Nursery and Forest Crops (category 4), Greenhouse Crops (category 5), Fumigation (category 6), and Specialty Uses (category 7). Study materials can be found at: https://pested.osu.edu/home/privateapplicator/studymaterials#1. Complete details on the licensing process for private pesticide applicators can be found at: https://pested.osu.edu/home/privateapplicator/licensing.
Commercial Pesticide Applicator Licenses are for farmers or industry personnel who apply pesticides for a business or on land owned by someone else, and usually receive payment for their services. In agriculture this includes agricultural businesses who custom spray crops, as well as farmers who are hired to custom spray for fellow farmers. The commercial license area also includes applicators who work for a government or public agency such as a K-12 schools, colleges, universities, villages, townships, and park districts, in addition to applicators who apply to sites accessible to the public. Each commercial applicator will need to take and pass the CORE test (general safety for the applicator and the environment) and the category(ies) that correspond to their commercial spray operation. These categories include: Aerial Pest Control (category 1), Agricultural Pest Control (category 2 with 6 sub-categories); Aquatic Pest Control (category 3 with 3 sub-categories), Forest Pest Control (category 4 with 2 sub-categories), Industrial Vegetation (category 5), Ornamental Plant & Shade Tree Pest Control (category 6 with 4 subcategories), Vertebrate (category 7), Turf (category 8), Animal Pest Control (category 9), Domestic, Institutional, Structural & Health Related Pest Control (category 10 with 4 subcategories), Livestock Predator Control (Category 11 for USDA employees only), and Wood Destroying Insect Diagnostic Inspection (category 12). Complete details on the commercial categories and their sub-categories can be found at: https://pested.osu.edu/catlist. More information about the commercial licensing process can be found at: https://pested.osu.edu/commercialapplicator/licensing.
2024 ODA Pesticide Testing Sessions
Are you looking to take obtain your private or commercial pesticide license or wish to add an additional category to your existing license? The Ohio Department of Agriculture will be holding testing sessions during the winter/spring in Northeast Ohio. These tests are administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and are held at Extension offices in northeast Ohio as a courtesy to producers. Pre-registration is required for each location and can be made by calling the ODA at 614-728-6987 or 1-800-282-1955 (press 3 then 1). Online exam registration can also be made at https://agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/plant-health/pesticid...
Study materials online can be found at: http://pested.osu.edu/privatestudy.html
Testing dates for Trumbull County:
All tests begin at 10am, and will be located at the OSU Extension Office in Cortland
January 8, 2024
February 12, 2024
March 11, 2024
April 8, 2024
May 13, 2024
June 10, 2024
July 8, 2024
August 12, 2024
September 9, 2024
December 9, 2024