April 19, 2001

Applicator Credits Available at Medora Spurgefest

Officials in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota have approved chemical applicator certification/re-certification credits for license-holders who attend Spurgefest II, scheduled for June 19-21 in Medora.

"We're pleased that licensing authorities in the three states are recognizing Spurgefest II for its informational and educational value," said Chad Prosser, TEAM Leafy Spurge coordinator. TEAM Leafy Spurge is a multi-state group of USDA and university specialists working to find ways to control leafy spurge.

The three-day event will feature a symposium, tours of TEAM Leafy Spurge research and demonstration sites, hands-on flea beetle collecting, a flea beetle distribution and more. "If you’re interested in controlling leafy spurge, it’s an event you won’t want to miss," Prosser said. "People who attend will leave with a lot of new information, and some flea beetles as well." Flea beetles are used as a biological control for the weed.

Following are details on applicator credits for the three states:

• The Montana Department of Agriculture has approved applicator credits for private, commercial and government applicators who attend the event. Private applicators will receive three certification/re-certification credits for attending the June 19 symposium and two certification/re-certification credits for attending the June 20 field tour. Private applicators must sign in each day of the event to receive full credit. Commercial and governmental applicators with licenses in Agricultural Plant Pest, Right-of-Way, Governmental/Regulatory Weed, Demonstration and Research, and Dealer will receive six certification/re-certification credits for attending both the June 19 symposium and June 20 field tour. Commercial and governmental applicators must sign in for both days of the event to receive full credit.
• The Wyoming Department of Agriculture will allow four hours of re-certification credits to holders of valid Ag Weed Control or Right-of-Way Pest Control license holders for attending the June 19 symposium and June 20 field tour. Applicators must sign in both days (name, license account number and expiration date) to receive full credit.
• The North Dakota State University Extension Service will recognize attendance of the entire event for certification/re-certification in the Right-of-Way category. Interested individuals must sign in for all three days of the event, then submit copies of their receipt for Spurgefest II, current certification card, photo identification and financial responsibility documents (if applicable) along with a $53 recertification fee to Andrew Thostensen, Pesticide Program Specialist, NDSU Extension Service, 166 Loftsgard Hall/PO Box 5051, Fargo ND 58105-5051.
• The Society for Range Management will recognize attendance of the event for certified professionals in range management seeking continuing education units (CEUs). SRM will award eight CEUs for attending the June 19 symposium, two CEUs for attending the June 20 field tours, and one CEU for attending the June 21 flea beetle collection/redistribution demonstration. Interested individuals must sign for each day of the event attended to receive full credit.

Spurgefest II is a production of TEAM Leafy Spurge, an integrated pest management program funded and led by the USDA-ARS in partnership with the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. It’s goal is providing ranchers, landowners and land managers with effective, affordable and sustainable leafy spurge control management strategies. The schedule of events includes:

• June 19 -- Team Leafy Spurge Symposium, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. MDT. TEAM Leafy Spurge program participants will present their research and be available to answer questions. Fee: $15 (includes snacks and catered noon lunch).
• June 20 -- Tours of TEAM Leafy Spurge research and demonstration sites. An all-day tour of biological control, herbicide, herbicide plus biocontrol and multi-species grazing demonstration sites. Fee: $15 (includes bus tour, snacks and BBQ lunch).
• June 21 -- Hands-on flea beetle collecting, flea beetle distribution, speakers and Medora's famous Pitchfork Fondue luncheon. Fee: $20 (includes lunch).

Additional information about the event can be found on the TEAM Leafy Spurge Website at http://www.team.ars.usda.gov/spurgefest2.html . An electronic registration form is available at http://www.team.ars.usda.gov/spurgefest2/register.html . Mail-in registration forms are available by calling Theodore Roosevelt National Park at (701) 623-4466, by writing to Spurgefest II, Box 7, Medora ND 58645 or by sending a request to teamls@sidney.ars.usda.gov . For additional information on TEAM Leafy Spurge, Spurgefest II or applicator certification/re-certification credits, contact TEAM Leafy Spurge program manager Chad Prosser at (406) 433-9403 or cprosser@sidney.ars.usda.gov .

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Source: Steve Merritt (406-482-9440 smerritt@sidney.ars.usda.gov
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu