Holmes County Schedules Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification Sessions

Holmes County OSU Extension has outlined several training and recertification opportunities this month as state changes to pesticide and fertilizer regulations take effect. The sessions are intended to help private and commercial applicators, servicepersons operating under supervision, and fertilizer handlers meet new requirements and avoid penalties tied to missed renewals.

State rules classify pesticides as either restricted-use pesticides or general-use pesticides. Restricted-use pesticides cannot be purchased or applied by the general public because of their greater potential to harm the environment or people unless handled under added restrictions by licensed applicators. The term pesticide encompasses herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, disinfectants, insect repellents and any substance used to prevent, repel or mitigate pests or to act as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant. In practical terms for Holmes County, that means many farm operators and commercial applicators must maintain up-to-date licenses and complete recertification to use certain products legally.

Budget bill HB 96 enacted several regulatory adjustments effective Oct. 1, 2025. The registered location category for pesticide business licenses has been eliminated and converted to the pesticide business license type. Pesticide product registration fees are now set at $25 per product, with late renewals carrying a $125 penalty per product. Commercial fertilizer manufacturer and distributor licenses now carry a $50 application fee and a $25 late renewal penalty; annual fertilizer tonnage reporting and inspection fees remain unchanged. Reporting and inspection requirements for liming material sales tonnage have been removed.

To help local applicators comply, Holmes County will co-teach pesticide and fertilizer recertification sessions. Two upcoming classes in January are scheduled: Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon for Core and categories 1 through 7 at Harvest Ridge Fairgrounds, 8808 OH-39, Millersburg, with fertilizer recertification from 1 to 2 p.m.; and Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon for Core and categories 1 through 7 at Mt. Hope Auction Barn, 8076 State Route 241, Mt. Hope, with fertilizer recertification from 1 to 2 p.m. The extension office also plans three fertilizer training opportunities in partnership with the Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District, plus several in-county testing dates to obtain a fertilizer license. Details and registration materials will be distributed in January.

For local operators, the changes mean paying closer attention to registration deadlines and potential fees, ensuring that workers who apply restricted-use products are properly licensed, and taking advantage of convenient local training to meet requirements. The extension office positioned the offerings as part of its role supporting area agriculture and resource stewardship as farmers plan for the year ahead.

Residents and applicators can register or get more information by calling the Holmes County office at 330-674-3015, emailing hill.1357@osu.edu, or visiting agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/pesticides/home. Janessa Hill is an ANR educator with Holmes County OSU Extension.