Volume 13, No. 4        October 1995

Coordinator's Comments

October 17 is World Food Day 

October 17 has been designated World Food Day.  The theme for
this year's world food day is "Food for All."  I would like to
thank you for doing your part to make sure that this year's
harvest is abundant.  People take our abundant food supply for
granted.  You need to remind your friends, relatives, neighbors,
and anyone who will listen that the food they eat did not just
show up.  The 1995 crop was produced in spite of a particularly
challenging season that started late and included  new pests,
more pests, and pest problems that made 1995 one of the most
hectic seasons ever.  The 1995 harvest was produced with much
effort, skill, and care.  You have much to be proud of, so tell
someone.

Comments on proposed pesticide rule changes due October 18, 1995. 
Comments on the proposed pesticide rule changes need to be made
in writing to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture on or
before October 18, 1995.  The proposed rule changes were listed
in the July 1995 North Dakota Pesticide Quarterly and are
repeated in this issue's "Law" section.   
Some old products must be relabled.

OCTOBER 23, 1995 is the last day to sell agricultural pesticides
that do not have Worker Protection Standard (WPS) labeling.  If
you have product that does not have the WPS labeling you must get
it relabeled before it can be sold.  Contact the manufacturer's
representative; it's time to get that product restickered so it
is in compliance with WPS.

Pesticide Container Recycling

Many thanks to Ostlund, West Chem, and Cenex/Land O' Lakes for
conducting plastic pesticide container recycling programs.  The 
programs collected and recycled a total of 48,687 containers.
Thanks also to those of you who provided collection locations or
brought in containers for recycling.

Clean Water Action Report on Pesticide Exposure 

Clean Water Action held a press conference concerning a report on
migrant worker exposure to pesticides.  Several of the statements
in the report were disputed by the North Dakota Department of
Agriculture and the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers
Association.  Most applicators and producers are concientious and
are trying to control pests carefully and safely.  Unfortunately
the misdeeds of a few people hurt the image of the entire
agricultural community.     
The issuing of this report shows that the activities of
agriculture are being watched closely.  There are people looking
to see that pesticides are being used carefully, that rules and
regulations are being followed, and that people or the
environment are not being put at risk.  Certain people will
publicize any event or incident they can that will show that
pesticides were not used correctly or people were harmed.  Take
time to make sure you, your employees, or your customers do not
become the bad example that everyone hears about. 

Pesticide Satellite program

The NDSU Extension Service will be using the Prairie Satellite
System to conduct commercial ag-pest recertification on February
8, 1996 and to conduct initial ag- pest certification on February
14-15, 1996.    

The pesticide certification and recertification meetings that
have been scheduled can be found in this issue's "Training"
section.