Winter is here. While that statement has many connotations for farmers, a key one is that this is now the “learning season,” where producers take part in meetings, work to get certified for application and take on other duties to boost knowledge. For Coloradans, there are several announcements:

New center to open

Colorado State University Extension and the Colorado Department of Agriculture are opening a new testing center for commercial pesticide applicator licensing. The new location will be the Kit Carson County Extension office, 817 15th St., Burlington. The new center joins other state testing sites where individuals can go to take commercial pesticide applicator tests.

A commercial applicator is defined as any person, other than a private applicator, who engages in the business of applying pesticides for hire or operating a device for hire. If you apply pesticides for a fee, you qualify under this definition and need to be certified. If you only apply pesticides on your own farm, then a private applicator’s pesticide license is all that is required.

To take a commercial pesticide applicator exam, follow these steps:

• Sign up for your pesticide applicator exam through the Metro Institute website, metrosignup.com/home.asp.

• Once you sign up, you’ll get an email verifying you have a valid email address, and that email will include steps to continue the application process.

• The link takes you to a webpage with your username, your password and a login address for the site. State officials advice suggest saving that username and password someplace handy; this is the same access information you will need if you have to retest due to exam failure, or if you want to add a category later.

• Provide your employer address or firm name. If self-employed or not affiliated with a company, type “N/A” in the employer field.

• Select the exam categories based on whether you want to test as a qualified supervisor or certified operator.

• CDA will review your application and then tell you that you can schedule your test by returning to Metro Institute's website. Select the test site and testing date.

For more information regarding exam preparation and study guides, call the CSU Extension Kit Carson County Extension office at 719-346-5571, or visit bit.ly/csucommapp or bit.ly/cogovlicensing.

Business management meetings announced

The CSU Extension Agriculture and Business Management team has announced two programs to help farmers manage in difficult financial times.

The Financial Management Strategies program will cover risk management, business planning, enterprise budgeting, record keeping, interpretation of financial statements and selecting farm financial software. The program will be hosted by ABM economists Jenny Beiermann, Brent Young and Norm Dalsted. The first program is set for tomorrow in Glenwood Springs. Other dates include Jan. 15 in Fairplay, Jan. 16 in Westcliffe, Jan. 20 in Julesburg, Feb. 12 in Pagosa Springs and March 11 in Steamboat Springs. To learn more and register online, visit 2020fms.eventbrite.com.

The $15 program cost includes lunch. This program is funded in partnership with USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

The Ag Outlook and Strategy Forum program will cover the market outlook, breakeven analysis, use of commodity insurance as part of a comprehensive marketing plan; use of futures and options to manage risk; and the cross hedging of weaned calves. This program will be hosted by Young and Beiermann. Program dates and locations are Jan. 22 in Burlington, Feb. 11 in Cortez, March 10 in Delta and March 12 in Steamboat Springs. Learn more at bit.ly/csuagoutlook. The $15 program cost includes lunch. This program is also funded in partnership with USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

Pesticide recertification meetings set

CSU Extension is hosting private pesticide recertification sessions at three locations in northeast Colorado. Anyone who purchases restricted-use pesticides must have a private pesticide applicator license issued by CDA.

Private applicator license study guides and exams can be obtained either from CDA or selected Extension offices. This test is also available online. Once the license is received, it is active for three years. Renewal can be achieved by either retaking the exam or attending a recertification meeting. The meetings offer credits that can be substituted for retaking the exam.

Dates and locations for the meetings are 1 p.m. Jan. 14, CSU Extension office, 315 Cedar St., Julesburg; 1 p.m. Jan. 15, CSU Extension office, 817 17th St., Burlington; and 8:30 a.m. Jan. 16, CSU Extension office, 181 Burch Ave., Akron.

Registration is required. The cost is $50 per person. Register online at bit.ly/csuextgp or contact the CSU Extension office in Burlington at 719-346-5571. Preregistration is required for these meetings.

Source: Colorado State University, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.