AUSTIN – The Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County is offering three one-day Last Chance Continuing Education Unit training courses Feb. 22-24 at the Travis County East Service Center, 6011 Blue Bluff Road in Austin.

“The Travis County Extension office is offering this last chance training to anyone interested in receiving continuing education units for their Texas Department of Agriculture private applicator license or structural pest control license renewal,” said AgriLife Extension agent Daphne Richards, who is coordinating the training.

Classes will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day and lunch is provided. Participants receive a certificate of completion each day.

Richards said primary instruction for the classes will be provided by Wizzie Brown, an AgriLife Extension integrated pest management specialist, and Jacob Hetzel, an AgriLife Extension wildlife damage management biologist. Brown and Hetzel are both officed in the AgriLife Extension facility in southeast Austin.

“We’ve put together programs that will cover many topics and issues that are useful for and applicable to farmers and ranchers, pest control operators and people living in semi-rural areas,” said Brown.

The Feb. 22 program will include presentations by Brown on “green” or eco-friendly pest management and stored product pests. Hetzel will present on the topic of preventing damage from small mammals. It also will include a video presentation relating to pesticide laws and regulations.  A total of five TDA continuing education units — 2.5 general, one integrated pest management and 1.5 laws and regulations – are available. There are three continuing education units available for structural pest control licensees.

The Feb. 23 program will include presentations by Brown on venomous arthropods and reading pesticide labels. Hetzel will present on the topic of feral hogs. This program will include a video on the subject of integrated pest management. It offers a total of five TDA continuing education units – two integrated pest management, two pest and one laws and regulations. There are five continuing education units available for structural pest control licensees.

During the Feb. 24 program, Brown will present on common active ingredients in pesticides. The program also will include instructional videos on the topics of general safety and drift minimization. A total of five TDA continuing education credits – 3.5 general and 1.5 drift minimization – are available.

Program cost is $75 for one day, $140 for two days and $200 for all three days for registration by Feb. 19. After Feb. 20, the cost is $85 for one day, $150 for two days and $210 for three days. Attendees should register online at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ using “CEU” in the keyword search field.

Richards said space is limited to 75 people, so attendees are encouraged to register by Feb. 19 to ensure adequate seating and meals, as well as pay less for the training.

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