Wrapping Up a Year in Agriculture

Published: 2020
By Jesse Fulbright

2020 has been the beginning of the end…of growers’ five-year private pesticide applicator cycle in District 3. Throughout the year, growers in Liberty County have been able to attend various programs aimed at helping them meet credit needs to maintain pesticide applicator licenses. In January, 55 local growers attended the multi-county Cropping Seminar, a series offered in nine locations over five days. Learning about fungicide efficacy, web-based agricultural tools, incorporating oilseeds into wheat-based cropping systems, and resources for farm and ranch stress and other resources available to them gained growers two pesticide credits. In February, a private pesticide applicator initial training class was offered for new applicators or certified applicators in need of credits. Topics included the Montana Private Applicator License, how to read the pesticide product label, calibration of backpack, boom and broad-jet sprayers, integrated pest management, pesticide laws, pesticides in the environment, and pesticide safety. Twenty-seven participants from five different counties received their initial pesticide applicator license. Ten certified applicators fulfilled credit requirements. Those attending classes stated that as a result, they would "be more careful around restricted use pesticides," institute "better personal protective equipment usage," and "read non-ag instructions for rangeland." Moving into the fall, attending in-person events became much more difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By following local Board of Health guidelines, 12 growers were able to attend the 2020 Pest Management Tour in October. Guest lecturers led virtual presentations over the WebEx media platform as growers gathered in one location. Attendees completed the recertification process for private applicator licenses and gleaned information on a variety of topics from managing leafy spurge to identifying drift reduction strategies.