Montana State University

08/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/29/2024 14:09

Montana State to offer pest management tour Oct. 15-18 across southwest Montana

BOZEMAN - The Montana State University ExtensionPesticide Education Program is offering a pest management tour for pesticide applicators at eight locations across southwest Montana from Oct. 15-18.

In order, the tour will visit Dillon, Deer Lodge, Helena, Townsend, Whitehall, Ennis, Clyde Park and Bozeman. At each stop, speakers will present on a variety of topics, including forage insect pests, weed management, bird and ground squirrel management, pesticide performance and water quality, biological control of weeds, annual grass identification and management, and rangeland weed management. Presentations will vary by location.

Tour speakers include:

Private applicators can attend morning or afternoon sessions for three credits or both sessions for six credits. Commercial applicator credits are also available and can be viewed on the MSU Pesticide Education Program website or at montana.edu/extension/pesticides/events/pmt.html.

Individuals in the state's Private Applicator Training District 2 need to earn six private applicator credits before Dec. 31 to avoid losing their private applicator certification, according to Tharp. Applicators can check their credits on the MSU Pesticide Education Program website by selecting "license and credit search" and entering their license number. Applicators can also contact their local MSU Extension office for license information.

The tour stops are:

  • Oct. 15, Dillon. Beaverhead County Fairgrounds, 4-H building, 707 S. Argenta St. Free. Lunch is provided. Register by Oct. 10 by contacting Jack Bazemore, Beaverhead County MSU Extension agent, at 406-683-3785 or [email protected].
  • Oct. 15, Deer Lodge. Powell County Community Center, 416 Cottonwood Ave. Free. Lunch is provided. Register by Oct. 10 by contacting Karen Laitala, Powell County weed coordinator, at 406-846-3348 or [email protected].
  • Oct. 16, Helena. Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds, Entry Hall, 98 W. Custer Ave. Cost is $10. No lunch provided. Register by Oct. 9 onlineor by contacting Amy Bowser, MSU pesticide education technician, at 406-994-5178 or [email protected].
  • Oct. 16, Townsend. Broadwater County Fairgrounds, 4-H Building, 189 U.S. Highway 12 E. Cost is $15. Lunch is provided. Register by Oct. 4 by contacting Allison Kosto, Broadwater County MSU Extension agent, at 406-266-9242 or [email protected].
  • Oct. 17, Whitehall. Assembly of God Church, 6 First St. E. Free. Lunch is provided. Register by Oct. 3 by contacting Kaleena Miller, Madison/Jefferson County MSU Extension agent, at 406-287-3282 or [email protected].
  • Oct. 17, Ennis. Ennis Fire Hall, 5037 U.S. Highway 287. Free. Lunch is provided. Register by Oct. 3 by contacting Kaleena Miller, Madison/Jefferson County MSU Extension agent, at 406-287-3282 or [email protected].
  • Oct. 18, Clyde Park. Clyde Park Community Hall, 206 First Ave. Free. Lunch is provided. Register by Oct. 16 by contacting Jackie Pondolfino, Park County MSU Extension agent, at 406-222-4156 or [email protected].
  • Oct. 18, Bozeman. Gallatin County Fairgrounds, Building 4, 901 N. Black Ave. Cost is $5. Lunch is provided. Register by Oct. 10 by contacting Elizabeth D'Imperio, Gallatin County MSU Extension agent, at 406-582-3280 or [email protected].

A detailed program agenda is available online at montana.edu/extension/pesticides/events/pmt.html. Information is also available from local MSU Extension offices. For other questions, contact Tharp at 406-994-5067 or [email protected].

The MSU Extension Pesticide Education Program is an educational program promoting the proper use of pesticides to protect public health and the environment. The program supports all applicators, businesses and homeowners by combining educational resources and knowledge from scientists, governmental agencies and the public.