Ric Bessin, UK entomologist. Due to the backlog of expired certifications, half of Kentucky s pesticide applicators need training before the 2021 growing season.
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is finding alternative ways in the midst of COVID-19 to help the state’s private pesticide applicators get the education they need to farm this spring.
Kentucky has around 13,000 private pesticide applicators. This certification allows them to apply chemicals to crops on their farm. As is the case in many states, the land-grant university is in charge of the training, testing and certifications for this group. Without this certification, producers cannot purchase restricted-use pesticides for their operations.