Four continuing instructional courses (CIC) will be held in February and March to offer continuing education credit for Iowa commercial pesticide applicators. These programs will be held around the state at Iowa State University Extension county offices.

Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease

The 2008 Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease CIC will be held February 13. It will offer continuing instructional credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 1A, 1B, 1C, and 10. The course will cover topics such as laws and regulations; pesticides and pesticide labels; pesticides, soil, and water quality; phytotoxicity; and pests and pest management.

Seed Treatment

The 2008 Seed Treatment CIC will be held February 20. It will offer continuing instructional credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 4 and 10. The course will cover topics such as laws and regulations; effects of pesticides on groundwater; pesticides and pesticide labels; and pests and pest management.

Ornamental and Turfgrass Applicators

The 2008 Ornamental and Turfgrass Applicators CIC will be held March 5. It will offer continuing instructional credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 2, 3O, 3T, 3OT, and 10. The course will cover topics such as laws, regulations, and labels; drift and persistence; effect of pesticides on groundwater; phytotoxicity and other non-target sites; water need by trees; top problems of turf managers; tent and web-making caterpillars; and a plant disease update.

Certified Handlers

The 2008 Certified Handlers CIC will be held March 13. It will offer continuing instructional credit for commercial pesticide handlers certified in category H. Topics to be covered include laws and regulations; effects of pesticide on groundwater; responding to spills and accidents; pesticide label interpretation; and pesticide container handling and disposal.

Additional information about these and other instructional courses being offered by Iowa State University Extension's Pest Management and Environment Program will be available at www.extension.iastate.edu/PME after January 15.

Jean McGuire is a communications specialist with responsibilities for agriculture and natural resources extension.