Producers who purchase, apply, store and or dispose of any Schedule 1, 2, or 5 pesticide for farm use must have a valid Grower Pesticide Certificate. These schedules contain a lot of common herbicides, fungicides and insecticides that Ontario farmers use. These classes also contain some rodenticides and insecticides that livestock producers use. This certificate is renewable every five years. Producers are reminded that they must renew their certificate within six months of the expiry date.

For the first time starting Jan. 1, growers or employees who handle and spray Schedule 1, 2 or 5 pesticides must be certified or they must be a trained assistant under the supervision of a certified grower. Trained assistants can take the course at the cost of $65 but do not have to write the exam. Another option available in February is an on farm training session with a qualified instructor.

A trained assistant cannot purchase, select, or recommend the type of product; select or recommend the rate of application; select the means of storage or disposal; calibrate equipment for an extermination; select the means of disposal for empty containers.

If your Grower Pesticide Safety Certificate expired before October 1998 or you are certifying for the first time (includes trained assistants) a series of one day Pesticide Grower Safety Courses are being offered this year to allow you the opportunity to get recertified.

If your Certificate expires after October 1998 you can study the manual at home and attend a two hour exam writing session to renew your certificate or sign up for a one course. If you choose the exam only, when you register for a course be sure to have your certificate handy to give your number and date of expiry.

The cost for the course or exam is $65 with cheques payable to University of Guelph. The exam is open book and producers are encouraged to pick up the manual ahead of time for some at home study to familiarize themselves with the material.

In both cases, growers must attain a pass mark of 75%. If you do not pass the first try and have taken the course you will have six months to try the exam again free of charge. If you take the exam only and fail to pass, you will have to take a course and pay another $65 registration fee.

Dundas (Call OMAFRA Winchester to Register)

Course Jan. 27, Winchester OMAFRA 9 am to 4 pm

Course Feb. 12, Winchester OMAFRA 9 am to 4 pm

Course April 6, Winchester OMAFRA 9 am to 4 pm

Exam Feb. 9, Winchester OMAFRA 12:30 pm registration 1 pm start

Exam March 22, Winchester OMAFRA 12:30 pm registration 1 pm start

Stormont (Call OMAFRA Avonmore to Register)

Course Jan. 26, Avonmore OMAFRA 9 am to 4 pm

Course Feb. 26, Avonmore OMAFRA 9 am to 4 pm

Exam March 9, Avonmore OMAFRA 12:30 pm registration 1 pm start

Lanark (Call OMAFRA Perth to Register)

Course Feb. 24, St James Anglican Church, Carleton Place 8:45 am to 4 pm

Course Feb. 26, Perth OMAFRA 8:45 am to 4 pm

Exam Feb. 3, Perth OMAFRA 7:30 to 10 pm

Leeds (Call OMAFRA Kemptville to Register)

Course March 2, Forfar Community Hall 8:45 am to 4 pm

Course March 25, Athens Anglican Church 8:45 am to 4 pm

Exam Feb. 2, Athens Anglican Church 7:30 to 10 pm

Grenville (Call OMAFRA Kemptville to Register)

Course Feb. 12, Roebuck Community Centre 8:45 am to 4 pm

Course Feb. 23, G H Ferguson Forestry Centre, Kemptville 8:45 am to 4 pm

Exam Jan. 26, 2000 Room 108 Parrish Hall, Kemptville College 12:30 to 3 pm

Glengarry (Call OMAFRA Avonmore to Register)

Course Feb. 29, Lancaster Legion 9 am to 4 pm

Course March 29, Glengarry Sports Palace, Alexandria 9 am to 4 pm

Exam March 7, Glengarry Sports Palace, Alexandria 12:30 to 3 pm

Renfrew (Call OMAFRA Renfrew to Register)

Course Feb. 9, Bromley Township Community Hall 9 am to 4 pm

Course March 4, Bromley Township Community Hall 9 am to 4 pm

Exam Feb. 23, Renfrew OMAFRA Boardroom 7:30 pm