For those with a Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license, continuing education credits are required to maintain those licenses. The number of credits required will depend on which license you hold.

The annual five-hour continuing education course is set for Nov. 18 at the Henderson Civic Center, 1500 Lake Forest Parkway, Henderson. Attendees can obtain three credits general, one credit integrated pest management and one credit laws and regulations from this course. This program is a joint effort between Cherokee, Panola, Rusk and Smith counties. Registration fee is $30, which includes lunch and can be paid at the door. Please RSVP to the Rusk County Extension Office, 903-657-0376, by Nov. 14.

Topics for the Nov. 18 program include laws and regulations updates, including recycling of used pesticide containers, aquatic weed control, herbicide updates, mosquito abatement and control (especially around livestock pests) and pesticide toxicology. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with the program beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Ten CEUs also will be given in December at the Texas A&M Agri-Life Research and Extension Center, 1710 North Highway 3053, Overton. The first session will take place Dec. 1, and the second session will take place Dec. 6. Participants can sign up for one or both of these workshops to receive CEU credits. A $35 registration fee will be charged, which includes lunch and can be paid at the door for both sessions. For more information on these two programs, contact Pam Hickman at 903-834-6191.

Topics for the Dec. 1 program include weed control in pastures and hay fields, getting the most out of your spraying equipment, beef cattle external parasite control and records and your best personal protective equipment. Three credits general, one credit integrated pest management, and one credit laws and regulations will be given.

Topics for the Dec. 6 program include pesticides and pollinators, mosquito control update, turfgrass insect pest update, urban forestry and wild pig control in urban environments. Two credits general, two credits integrated pest management and one credit laws and regulations will be given at this program as well. Registration for both of the Overton workshops will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the first presentation to begin at 8:30 a.m. and ending around 3 p.m.

For any of these courses, please bring your Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license number to enter on the recertification roster. No other personal numbers will be accepted, such as driver’s license or other personal data.

For anyone needing a license, there will be private applicator training on Nov. 3 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Smith County, 1517 W. Front St., Cotton Belt Building, Room 116. This training is required for those needing a private applicator license. Study manuals are available for $40, and a $10 training fee will be charged the day of the training. Study materials should be purchased ahead of time. The training will begin at 8 a.m. For more details, contact our office at 903-590-2980.

If you need to contact the Texas Department of Agriculture licensing division for your number, call 800-835-5832. The Texas Department of Agriculture is the regulatory agency in Texas on pesticides and licensing for private, commercial and non-commercial applicators.