Cotton and soybean varieties with tolerance to auxin herbicides 2,4-D or dicamba are nearing commercialization. Prior to making applications of dicamba to dicamba-tolerant cotton or soybean or 2,4-D to 2,4-D-tolerant cotton or soybeans in Georgia, growers will be required to attend the training “Using Pesticides Wisely.”

The training will focus on helping applicators and growers make wise decisions when applying not only 2,4-D and dicamba but all pesticides. Growers are strongly encouraged to bring their applicators with them. Attendance is suggested for all on-farm applicators to confirm that they are educated in best management practices when applying all pesticides.

Growers who attended trainings during 2015, as long as they registered, are not required to attend the meeting again. They are welcome to attend as many times as they like, however.

Last year, 1,061 Georgia growers completed the required training. A survey conducted of these trainings noted 99 percent of these growers felt the training was worth their time, and 98 percent of them felt the training would help them increase on-target pesticide applications. If you have questions concerning your 2015 registration or needed more information for the 2016 training, contact your local county Extension office.

Dates, times and locations are:

February 22 for South Central and South East Georgia

Date: Feb 22 Time: 9 am Location: Turner Co.; Turner County Civic Center Address: 354 Lamar St, Ashburn, GA 31714 RSVP: 229-567-3448 Agent: Will Gay.

Date: Feb 22 Time: 2 pm Location: Bacon Co.; Satilla REMC Community Conference Room Address: 928 GA Hwy 32E; Alma, GA 31510 RSVP: 912-632-5601 or [email protected] Agent: William Lovett.

February 23 for South Central Georgia

Date: Feb 23 Time: 9 am Location: Dooly Co.; Marise’s Restaurant Address: 1017 East Pine Street; Vienna, GA 31092 RSVP: 229-268-4171 Agent: Ronnie Barrentine.

Date: Feb 23 Time: 2 pm Location: Dodge Co., Middle GA State Univ. Aviation School Address: 71 Aviation Rd; Eastman, GA 31023 RSVP: 478-374-8137 Agent: Greg Slaughter.

Feb. 23 for South West Georgia

Date: Feb 23 Time: 9 am Location: Brooks Co.; Ag Annex Address: 400 East Courtland Av.; Quitman GA 31643 RSVP: 229-263-4103 Agent: Stephanie Hollifield.

Date: Feb 23 Time: 2 pm Location: Mitchell Co.; Ag Center Address: 4590 Hwy 37 Camilla, GA 31730 RSVP: 229-336-2066 Agent: Andrew Shirley.

Feb. 29 for South West Georgia

Date: Feb 29 Time: 9 am Location: Early Co; Early County Ag Center Address: 5188 Freeman Rd; Blakely, GA 39823 RSVP: 229-723-3072 Agent: Brian Cresswell.

Date: Feb 29 Time: 2 pm Location: Terrell Co.; 4-H Pavilion Address: 2674 Albany Hwy; Dawson, GA 39842 RSVP: 229-995-2165 Agent: Brian Cresswell.

Feb. 29 for South East Georgia

Date: Feb 29 Time: 9 am Location: Toombs/Tattnall Co.; Vidalia Onion and Research Farm Address: 8163 Hwy 178; Lyons, GA 30436 RSVP: 912-526-3101 Agent: Jason Edenfield/Cliff Riner/Chris Tyson.

Date: Feb 29 Time: 2 pm Location: Screven Co.; Extension Office Address: 321 Rocky Ford Rd; Sylvania, GA 30467 RSVP: 912-564-2064 Agent: Ray Hicks.

March 1 for South East Georgia

Date: March 1 Time: 9 am Location: Washington Co.; Ag Center Address: 882 Grady Mertz Road; Tennille 31089 RSVP: 478-552-2011 Agent: Brent Allen.

Date: March 1 Time: 2 pm Location: Emanuel Co.; Varner 4-H Center Address: 220 South Circle Dr.; Swainsboro 30401 RSVP: 478-237-1226 Agent: Mark Crosby.

March 1 for North Georgia

Date: March 1 Time: 9 am Location: Gordan Co. Agricultural Service Center Address: 1282 Hwy 53 Spur SW; Calhoun, GA 30701 RSVP: 706-629-8685 Agent: Greg Bowman.

Date: March 1 Time: 4 pm Location: Madison Co., Jackson EMC Address: 85 Spratlin Mill Rd; Hull, GA 30646 (corner of Hwy 29N and Spratlin Mill Rd.) RSVP: 706-795-2281 Agent: Adam Speir.