SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 26, 2012

Media Contact: Brad Berven, 605-773-4432

SD Dept. of Ag Hosts Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Meetings

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) is hosting Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification meetings this January and February.

The goal of these meetings is to insure the safe and effective storage, handling, distribution, use and disposal of pesticide products. Pesticide applicators must take a test to become initially certified, but can re-certify by attending one of these meetings.

Once certified, commercial applicators must obtain a license, which is also valid for two years.

A commercial applicator license is $25 and a re-certification class is $50. Applicator and dealer licenses must be renewed by Feb. 28, 2013 or a $50 late fee will be assessed.

For times, dates and places of the commercial applicator meetings, visit https://apps.sd.gov/doa/ecat3/ApplicatorMeetingPrograms.htm Please bring a government issued photo ID and your applicator license to the meeting for check-in.

For more information on SDDA’s Pesticide Program, visit http://sdda.sd.gov/legacydocs/Ag_Services/Agronomy_Services_Programs/Pesticide_Program/2011-07pesticide_program_brochurewebopt.pdf

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve, and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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