Register Soon for Field Day Recertification Opportunities for CNC and Private Pesticide Applicators

By Tana Haugen-Brown, Extension Educator, UMN Extension Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education, and Sally Raymond, Extension Educator, UMN Extension Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education

Learn in the field at Pesticide Safety Field Days. Photo:  Tana Haugen-Brown

Do you need to recertify as a Commercial/Noncommercial applicator (CNC) in categories C and H in 2026 or as a Private Applicator in 2027? Skip the classroom and step into the field! The Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education (PSEE) program has an opportunity for you to recertify at a field day just for pesticide applicators. We’ll have some hands-on learning, field demonstration plots on drift and crop injury, nozzle selection and application methods, integrated pest management, pest identification and control tools, as well as safe mixing, loading, and container cleaning. An optional Category H seed treatment session is also available (you must attend the full day to satisfy recertification requirements). Sign up now, as space is limited!

Dates and Locations:

• July 16, 2026 - Waseca UMN Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, MN
• August 13, 2026 - Lamberton UMN Research and Outreach Center, Lamberton, MN

Time:

• CNC Applicators: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM for categories A & C, additional session from 3:10 - 4:20 PM for category H.
• Private Applicators: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM (required for private applicators seeking recertification credit). Optional afternoon sessions are available until 4:30 PM for those interested.

Who:

• CNC applicators in categories C and H who need to recertify in 2026
• Private pesticide applicators who need to recertify in 2027 (eliminates the need to attend a workshop or take the exam in January or February 2027). If your certification expires in a different year, please contact us before registering to confirm your eligibility for recertification credit.

Agenda:

There will be a variety of pesticide safety and application topic demonstrations and hands-on activities in a field day setting, including:

• In-field demonstration plots
• Nozzle selection and application techniques
• Drift management
• Mixing, loading, and container cleaning
• Integrated Pest Management
• Pest identification and management tools
• Seed Treatment demonstrations and safety

The full agenda with timing and session information can be found here.

Cost and Registration:

Advance registration is required for all participants and closes on July 9 for Waseca and on August 6 for Lamberton, or earlier if the maximum limit is reached, whichever comes first.

• CNC applicators: Cost is $145 for categories A & C or $190 for categories A, C, & H. Commercial or noncommercial applicators seeking recertification must register in advance at this link.
• Private applicators: Cost is $100, which also includes lunch and refreshments. To register, click here.

Detailed instructions and site maps will be emailed to participants a week before the event.  For questions about these field days or pesticide applicator recertification, contact Tana Haugen-Brown, thbrown@umn.edu, 763-260-4423.