The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Pesticide & Fertilizer Regulation Section seeks to assure the safe use of pesticides and prevent misuse/mishandling. The section licenses 30,000 pesticide applicators and more than 13,000 pesticide products. They also administer programs to assist with proper disposal of unusable/out-of-date pesticides.

ODA will be coming to the Hancock County Agricultural Service Center at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16 to administer pesticide license tests.  This testing is for new applicators or those who wish to test for additional license categories.

Seats are now filled for this session. However, testing is available in Allen County (March 23 or April 20, 10 a.m. at OSU Lima Campus); Wood County (March 29 or April 12, 1 p.m. at OSU Extension Wood Co. Office); and Putnam County (April 12, 1 p.m. at OSU Extension Putnam Co. office). Seats are limited,  so you are encouraged to register ASAP via website or phone 1-800-282-1955;

There is no fee for the test . . . OSU Extension Hancock County is offering a 'Crash Course' from 9 a.m. - 12 noon focused on CORE and Category 1 - Grain and Cereal Crops, the fee for that course is $20 if registered by March 15. Putnam County is also offering a 'Crash Course' on April 14.