Herbacides & pesticides in a sprayer

[Farmwithjunk]

Certification is more then just a piece of paper. It means you actually understand the risk involved with spraying as well as the proper and safe way to do things. Anyone who has any thoughts of using a sprayer to spray chemicals should at least look to their local ag department and take a short class to learn the do's and don'ts of pesticide use. I am sure you know the dangers associated with spraying and the liabilty if you destroy your neighbors crop. Around here I have to be real careful with what I use to spray with as this is a large grape area and some of these sprays can not be used within a mile of the vineyards without terrible results.

It even goes beyond that. Certification comes with meeting certain qualifications. Scoring well on a test is only a small part. To get certification in Kentucky, we must show proof of valid liability insurance, be willing and able to stand inspection at any time, always keep an up-to-date log book documenting all of your chemical use, and have all the neccissary tools to perform required task's involving spraying. (i.e. wind speed "meter", spill containment equipment, ect.) Testing is more of a quiz on your knowledge of standards and application proceedures than of actual knowledge of the chemicals. You break the law when you apply ANY chemical in any manner, other than as described on the container as recommended by manufacturer of the chemicals. In short, you must follow manufacturers suggested application rates and methods to the letter.

The catch 22 is insurance requires certification. Certification requires insurance.

We are divided into several classifications. (AG, commercial applicator, lawn, golf course, power line right-of-way, ect....) Each grouping requires an individual certification. No "across the board" one certification fits all.

We can only spray WITH-OUT certification, using unrestricted use chemicals, on land owned by the person spraying, and not done for ANY commercial purposes. Spray on someone elses land, even for free, and you violate the law. Have an uncertified employee spray for you on your own land and you violate the law. Any chemical that kills ANYTHING is a pesticide.

Also, the same laws pertain to applying FERTILIZER on land not owned by the applicator. (Same now applies to many states I'm told)

We get our certification thru county extention offices, and they're regulated by Kentucky Dept. of AG, EPA, and Univ. of Kentucky School of Agriculture.

Certification will enable you to purchase certain "restricted use" chemicals. (i.e. Tordon......) The unrestricted chemicals (i.e. Round-Up, 2,4-D, ect) must be applied as directed, same as the restricted use products.