MEDIA RELEASE__Producers who spread pesticides and/or fertilizer and have previously had to obtain a license to do so, due to meeting certain definitions that are set by law and enforced by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, will need to renew and recertify their license that expires this year at the end of March 2025. Licenses expire every three years.

Those producers have received a notice in the mail from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. To renew, producers must send in their application and thirty dollars to the Ohio Department of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg to renew the license and to recertify, participate in an Ohio State University Extension continuing education class. The cost of the class is $35 paid to OSU Extension for the pesticide continuing education requirement.

If fertilizer recertification is needed, the cost to OSU Extension is $15 for the fertilizer continuing education requirement. The cost is $50 for both classes together.

The Hardin County Private Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicator Recertification class will take place on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the Hardin County Fairground-Community Building. The fertilizer recertification will run from 8:00 AM-9:00 AM. The pesticide recertification will run from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

This class is for private applicators and will consist of categories Fertilizer, Core, 1, 2 and 6. If additional categories are needed, please contact the Ohio State University Extension in Hardin County office to set up a time to watch videos for the additional categories or plan to stay afterward to watch videos. Producers are asked to visit go.osu.edu/hardinanrprograms or call the Extension office at 419-674-2297 to pre-register by February 27.

If you do not currently hold a pesticide or fertilizer license and are unsure if you should, please reach out to the Ohio State University Extension in Hardin County office or you can learn more at https://pested.osu.edu/.

If you have any questions, please call the Ohio State University Extension in Hardin County office at 419-674-2297 or email Nic Baumer at [email protected].