A Texas private pesticide applicator training and testing program will be held April 30, 2010, at the Bailey County Extension office in Muleshoe, Texas. The office is located at 118 West Ave. C (just west of 1st Bank).

The training will begin at 8:30 a.m. and testing should conclude by 1:30 p.m. Texas AgriLife Extension Service will provide the training and Texas Department of Agriculture will administer the test. Attendees are encouraged to bring a calculator and pencil for use during testing.

A private pesticide applicator license is required if someone uses or supervises the use of restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides to produce an agricultural crop on personally owned property, rented property, property owned by his or her employer, property under his or her general control, or the property of another person if applied without compensation, other than the trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities. No license is required to apply general-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities.

Individuals who want a Texas private applicator license must attend a private applicator training program offered by Texas AgriLife Extension Service, pass the Texas Department of Agriculture private applicator exam, and purchase a license. The private applicator license fee is $60. Private applicator licenses expire five years after the date issued and then must be renewed.

For more information or to obtain study materials call Monti Vandiver or Curtis Preston at (806) 272-4583.