By Andi Anderson
Ohio State University Extension in Fairfield County has announced its 2026 schedule for private pesticide and fertilizer recertification programs. These educational sessions are designed to help private applicators maintain valid licenses while staying informed about responsible and effective agricultural input use.
The recertification programs provide two separate training options, allowing participants to renew either fertilizer certification, pesticide certification, or both. These sessions are intended for farmers and agricultural professionals who apply pesticides or fertilizers as part of their farm operations and must meet state renewal requirements.
Fertilizer recertification sessions will be offered twice in 2026. One session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. A second opportunity will be held on Thursday, March 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The cost for fertilizer recertification is $10. These sessions focus on proper nutrient management practices and responsible fertilizer application.
Private pesticide recertification will also be available on two dates. The first session will take place on Wednesday, February 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The second session is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The fee for pesticide recertification is $25. These trainings review safe handling, application practices, and regulatory responsibilities related to pesticide use.
All recertification programs will be held at the Fairfield County Agriculture Center located in Lancaster, Ohio. Participants are reminded to bring their current certification card to the training, as it is required for processing recertification.
After completing the training, applicators must submit a $30 license renewal fee directly to the Ohio Department of Agriculture along with the required renewal application. This step is necessary to finalize the recertification process.
Registration and additional program details are available online, and participants may also contact the local OSU Extension office with questions.
These recertification opportunities help ensure farmers remain compliant, knowledgeable, and prepared to apply agricultural inputs safely and effectively in the 2026 growing season.
Photo Credit: ohio-state-university
Categories: Ohio, Education