Branch County Farmers Day February 17

Nicolle Ritchie<ritchi67@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - January 15, 2025

The Branch County Farmers Day will feature two simultaneous but separate events: field crops educational sessions and in-person pesticide applicator testing. RUP and CCA credits available.

Among other things, learn about an integrated approach to cover crop termination at the Branch County Farmers Day. Photo by Nicolle Ritchie, MSU Extension.

The Branch County Farmers Day has been held for over 50 years and presents an opportunity to network and learn more about relevant field crop issues. The event is for growers, agribusiness professionals, Michigan State University Extension educators and specialists and other industry professionals. This year the program will be held Feb. 17 at the Branch Area Careers Center (366 Morse St., Coldwater, MI 49036).

There will be two simultaneous but separate events: educational sessions and in-person pesticide applicator testing through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Because the events are held at the same time, participants can attend only one, so it is important to make sure you register for the correct event. If you’re not sure which event to register for, contact Nicolle Ritchie (email: ritchi67@msu.edu cell: 269-858-8739).

Field crops educational sessions

Due to the high attendance numbers in recent years, this year will have two tracks of educational sessions. Up to three restricted use pesticide (RUP) and up to 2.5 certified crop adviser (CCA) credits are available from the educational sessions, depending on the individual sessions attended. View the flyer for the topic descriptions and speakers. The agenda is as follows:

8:00 a.m.	Check-in/Registration
8:30 a.m.	Irrigation and pesticides	Budgeting
9:00 a.m.	Cover crops and termination	Conservation tillage
9:30 a.m.	White mold and soybean update	Water policy
10:00 a.m.	Break
10:15 a.m.	Weed update	Solar
11:00 a.m.	Forage management	Pumpkins/Vines management
11:45 a.m.	Wrap up and credits

The Branch Area Careers Center and the Branch County Ag Council have generously supported the educational sessions so that there is no cost to attendees. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged and can be done online or over the phone with the Branch County MSU Extension office at 517-279-4311 ext. 0.

In-person pesticide applicator testing

In-person pesticide applicator testing is only available for commercial and private core and the aerial and fumigation standards. The testing follows a mandatory pre-test review of the National Pesticide Applicators Certification Core Manual, which can be ordered from the National Pesticide Safety Education Center or may be available at local Michigan State University Extension offices (call the office for availability). If planning to test in the afternoon, attendees must attend the morning review. Four RUP credits are available for those with a valid pesticide applicator certification who attend the morning review. If attending the review for RUP credits only, there is no need to stay in the afternoon for testing.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m., and the review begins at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided and then immediately followed by testing beginning around 1 p.m. The fee for the core review (mandatory) is $25. Checks should be made payable to Michigan State University or MSU. Card payments are processed through the registration site. Registration is limited and must be done ahead of time and is required for the review and testing. Register here to take the pesticide applicator test at the Branch County Farmers Day or contact the Branch County MSU Extension office at 517-279-4311 ext. 0.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).