End of Cycle Credits Offer to Private Pesticide Applicators in Northcentral Montana

The Montana State University Extension Pesticide Education Program (MSU PEP) would like to announce multiple private applicator end of cycle credit opportunities for pesticide applicators in need of credits within private applicator training (PAT) District 3. Montana private applicators in PAT District 3 need six credits prior to the deadline of December 31, 2025, to avoid losing their pesticide certification. PAT District 3 includes Glacier, Toole, Pondera, Teton, Cascade, Chouteau, Liberty, Hill and Blaine counties (Fig. 1). Applicators can view their credit information online by entering their last and first name or license number. There are online courses, webinars and on-site trainings available for applicators requiring more private applicator credits.

Onsite Opportunities within Private Applicator Training District 3

Events sponsored by MSU are marked with an *.

• *December 4. Fort Benton. Initial Private Applicator Training. Ag Center, 1205 20th Street. Topics include IPM, pesticide safety, private applicator license, reading the label, calibration, environmental fate, and pesticide laws. 6 PA credits. No fee. Register in advance by December 3rd by contacting the Chouteau County Extension Office at (406) 622-3751 or tyler.lane@montana.edu  
• December 10. Helena. Fall Recertification. Montana Wild Center, 2668 Broadwater Avenue. Topics include database and regulatory updates, soil health, spill response, weed ID, roadside management, and noxious weed updates. 4 PA credits. $30 fee. Contact Beth Thomas to register at (406) 444-3732 or beth.thomas@mt.gov, register online.   
• *December 16. Havre. Precision Ag Workshop: Emerging Technologies and On-Farm Experiences. Hill County 4-H Chuckwagon, 1676 US-2. Topics include variable rate application, targeted spray applications, and virtual fencing. 2 PA credits. No fee. For more information contact Ricardo Pinto (406) 994-6374 or ricardo.pinto@montana.edu. 

What's Bugging You?

New York State IPM Program

This monthly series explores topics to help you use integrated pest management to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. Each month, speakers will share practical information about how you can use IPM. Advanced registration is required. Dates and topics below, all begin at 9 am Pacific.

• May 2: Spongy Moth Caterpillar Management, Feeding Friendly Insects & Plan to Prep Your Soil
• June 6: Spotted Lanternfly Update & Recognizing Wild Parsnip
• July 4: Grow Green Lawns with Overseeding & Beech Leaf Disease
• August 1: Making a Mosquito Bucket Trap & Feeding Friendly Insects: Pick Plants
• September 5: Top 5 Rodent Exclusion Tips & Feeding Friendly Insects & Get Ready to Plant
• October 3: Winterize Your Home Orchard & Feeding Friendly Insects: Fall is for Planting
• November 1: Understanding Indoor Cockroaches & Invasive Tawney Field Cockroach
• December 5: IPM for Clothes Moths and Pantry Moths
  

Registration: Free, but required. Register here.

Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) 

April 13-15, 2026

Buffalo, WY

The ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (ISA TRAQ) is a voluntary qualification program designed to train and assess candidates in a specialized field of arboriculture. When a professional earns the ISA TRAQ credential, they should be recognized by their peers and the public as a tree care professional who has specialized knowledge in tree risk assessment. To earn the qualification, eligible candidates must complete a training course, and pass both a comprehensive written assessment and a performance-based assessment. To maintain the qualification, current credential holders must retrain and retest every seven years.

View Agenda and Qualification Requirements on the International Society of Arboriculture's Rocky Mountain Chapter (ISA RMC) website. Sign up here.