The Illinois Pesticide Safety Act requires farmers and others to become certified as a Private Pesticide Applicator in order to purchase and use "restricted use pesticides." To become certified, you must pass a closed book, 50 question exam given by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. In order help you prepare for the exam, University of Illinois Extension offers Pesticide Safety Education Program clinics as well as a training manual and workbook.

The University of Illinois Extension-McLean County is offering one private pesticide education clinic during the winter of 2007-2008. We estimate that about 100 McLean County farmers will need to be re-certified so we have developed the following format for this year's training. The current study guide is the same manual as used three years ago. The manual and workbook are included in the $30 fee and are available at our office. The higher registration fee for training this year has been set statewide and is the same at all locations in Illinois.

Please use the links on the left side of this page to pre-register for one of the sessions provided. Pre-registration is required. The registration fee for these class dates does include the manual and workbook, but not your Illinois Department of Ag fee, which is payable to them after successful training.

University of Illinois Extension - McLean County will be hosting one of these clinics - January 31, 2008 beginning at 8:30 a.m. (with check-in starting at 8:00 a.m.). This session will be held in the McLean County Farm Bureau Building Auditorium, 402 North Hershey Road in Bloomington.