Flathead County Extension Office provides training and testing for those consumers who wish to purchase and use restricted chemicals. Private applicators must be licensed prior to purchasing restricted chemicals that would be used on private lands, either owned, rented or leased.  Training includes all facets of chemicalimage of insects eating plant application including chemical safety, handling, equipment usage, chemical storage, and proper record keeping requirements.

To prepare for the exam required, customers are encouraged to purchase study materials which are available in the Extension Office for $20. Please be sure to contact the Extension Office to make an appointment to take the exam.  The exam fee is $50, made payable to the Montana Department of Agriculture, and the license is valid for five years.  Licenses can be maintained by obtaining recertification credits at trainings provided by both the Flathead County Extension Office and several of our community partners. 

For more information on the Private Pesticide Applicator Program you can go to the Pesticide Education Program to get information at the state level.

Commercial Applicator exam and licensing information can be obtained by contacting Montana Department of AG at [email protected] or (406) 444-4900.

For a Printable version of The Montana Private Applicator Program MontGuide go to https://store.msuextension.org/search.aspx?keyword=The+Montana+Private+Applicator+Program 

Pesticide Education Credit Opportunity: 2023 Pest Managment Tour

Printable version of the 2023 Pest Management Tour Letter (PDF)

Last Chance Pesticide Education Credit Opportunity: 2023 Pest Management Tour

 

WHO:

Montana Private Pesticide Applicators in District 1 who wish to recertify their pesticide licenses. License holders must obtain six private applicator recertification credits or take a closed book exam at an MSU Extension office by December 31, 2023, to renew their license.

 

The mailing label on the envelope containing this letter has your private applicator credits accumulated for the current recertification cycle or you can look up complete credit information at www.montana.edu/extension/pesticides by clicking on “License and Credit Search.”

 

WHAT:

The 2023 Pest Management Tour is being held at six locations throughout District 1 from October 2-4. You may attend a half day program for three private applicator credits (AM or PM) or the full day program for six credits. Commercial applicator credits will also be available in certain categories.

 

The event includes speakers from MSU Extension, the MDA and the Montana Biological Weed Control Coordination Project covering topics including crop weeds, weed ID, vertebrate pest management, using biocontrol for weed management, pests in forages, and using pesticides.

 

REGISTRATION:     

Pre-registration for the Kalispell PMT is available until October 1. Contact the Flathead County Extension office to secure your spot or register online by following the link: https://forms.gle/eNZtZyiFyWsP39tt

 

INFORMATION – FLATHEAD COUNTY:

 

Location:

Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 US-93, Kalispell, MT 59901

Date:

October 2, 2023

Fee:

$15 cash or check at the door to cover snacks, coffee & lunch

AM Agenda:

·         8:50 am – Introduction and Pesticide Education Update

·         8:55 am – Understanding and Managing Cropland Weed                          Resistance

·         9:45 am – Identification of Common Weeds in Montana Crops

·         10:35 am – Break

·         10:50 am – Deer Management

 

 

11:40 – 1:00 Lunch Provided

PM Agenda:

·         1:00 pm – What is Biocontrol and how to use it Effectively to Manage Weeds

·         1:50 pm – Managing Alfalfa Pests

·         2:40 pm – Break

·         2:55 pm – The Importance of IPM when Managing Pests

·         3:45 pm – Closing Remarks

·         4:00 pm – Adjourned

 

 

For more information on this event, commercial credits awarded, or other locations and dates visit: www.montana.edu/extension/pesticides/events/2023pmt.html.