Fresh from the Farm Randy Cubbage, County Extension Agent

Sunday, December 12, 2004 Clemson Extension, Bishopville

New Schedule of Pesticide Category Exams Available

Clemson Extension offices have received the 2005 exam schedules for anyone needing to be licensed in the commercial pesticide categories. The scheduled sites rotate around the state to allow people the opportunity to attend another session should they miss the first opportunity. These exams are intended for commercial folks who are not farmers nor other business folks who offer pesticide services to others for no compensation. Farmers, nurserymen et al. who use restricted-use pesticides for their own business or on the property of others for no compensation need the private applicator license.

Everyone taking any commercial category exam must also take the separate core exam if he/she has not already done so. There are 18 different categories offered and each carries a fee. There will also be a fee for the study material that may be ordered ahead of time for exam preparation. There is a list of these exam sites available from your nearest Clemson Extension office with more information about the study material you may desire, where to order, prices etc. Ask for the “Pesticide Applicator Licensing Exam Study Material Request Form”.

Another Reminder about the Upcoming Master Wildlifer Program

Local hunt club members, landowners, land managers, and outdoor recreationists who have never taken the Master Wildlifer course, may want to consider the upcoming program in February. Certain Clemson Extension offices in the state to include Lee, Sumter and Clarendon offices, will offer the program that begins February 1. These classes run each Tuesday night Feb. 1 thru March 15. There will be seven classes lasting three hours each night (7-10 PM). The course is being broadcast live via satellite from
Clemson University over a number of states. Specific topics will include Introduction to Wildlife Management, Ecology and Management of Small Game, Ecology and Management of White-Tailed Deer, Ecology and Management of Eastern Wild Turkey, Fishpond Management, Managing Wetlands for Waterfowl and Other Wildlife, and Income Opportunities from Wildlife on Private Lands.

The reference manual for the course will be a hardcopy of “Managing Wildlife” (Yarrow and Yarrow 1999, Sweatwater Press). The fee for the seven nights is $140 per participant or $200 per couple. This fee covers a copy of the textbook (one copy per couple), satellite fees, notebooks, and speaker travel/accommodations to Clemson. Couples will receive only one notebook. A couple does not have to be husband and wife. They could be two members of a hunt club etc.

Participants have already begun signing up. Should there not be a minimum number of participants at a given site, the others will be given an opportunity to participate at the nearest available site. Deadline for early registration is January 10, 2005. After this date registration fees increase to $160 per person or $230 per couple. Persons completing five of the seven sessions will receive a certificate and Master Wildlifer cap. These are attractive caps based on those available last year. Light refreshments will be offered each night. Those interested may register either by mail or online at www.masterwildlifer.net. Contact any of our local Clemson Extension offices for a copy of the registration form or for more information. The local numbers are: Lee County(484-5416), Sumter(773-5561), Clarendon(435-8429).

Peanut Planting and Harvesting Equipment Meeting in Florence

Altman Tractor & Equipment invite peanut growers to join them this Tuesday evening, December 14, at 5:30 PM at 1808 E. Pamplico Hwy. south of Florence to listen to production talk and be updated on the latest technology available for planting and harvesting peanuts. Corn, cotton and soybean production will be discussed also. Supper will be served, so call 1-843-662-0151 ahead if you plan to attend.

Another Chance for Pesticide Credit

Those individuals who possess the private applicator license and still need credit on that license have another chance to get that credit in Calhoun County this coming Tuesday, December 14 in St. Matthews. You can earn from one to five hours of recertification credit, and the cost is $10 per credit hour needed. Contact Charles Davis in the Clemson Extension office at 803-874-2354 immediately if you plan to attend. His training begins at 7:00 PM. Anyone with a current private applicator license that has not earned the required five hours of credit over the past five years will lose that license if you fail to get the required credit by December 31, 2004. There have been numerous opportunities over the last five years to earn that credit without a fee.

Clemson Extension offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status, and is an equal opportunity employer.