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Commission hears Department of Agriculture training updates and discusses drones and licensing changes
Summary
Members received updates from a recent conference about Department of Agriculture manual revisions, seed-treatment recategorization, drone use and upcoming training events including a March 20 commercial applicators session and an April 23 board training.
Commissioners reported takeaways from a recent Department of Agriculture conference, including updates to training manuals, possible seed-treatment recategorizations, drone policy discussions and upcoming local trainings.
A speaker said the Department of Agriculture is revising training manuals; the core manual and right-of-way materials have been updated and other manuals are being revised. Commissioners were advised to ensure any staff or applicators testing for credits use the newest manuals. The speaker noted the changes will not invalidate already-earned credits but will affect people testing during the next licensing cycle.
Attendees discussed seed-treatment categorization changes but said the details were unclear and staff would follow up. Drone applications drew extended conversation: commissioners discussed legislation and potential new endorsements for private applicator licenses to address aerial and drone applications, and said the state is considering folding drones into the aerial category for crediting. Speakers described drone technology advances that allow the same platform to carry herbicide, larvicide or adulticide hoppers by swapping payloads. They also noted insurance and liability issues following an incident in which a county-operated larvicide drone was shot down in Flathead County.
Commissioners announced several upcoming events: a commercial applicators training on March 20 at Bridger Brewing aimed at covering forest pest, ornamental and turf, water and aerial categories; and a board training April 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church, 200 North Cedar, covering parliamentary procedure and board ethics. A registration fee was mentioned for the March training (estimated about $25 for NWCA members, about $40 for non-members, but the speaker asked not to be quoted on precise amounts). Staff said they will act as the point of contact for registration.
No formal action was taken; commissioners encouraged staff and local applicators to track manual changes and consider attending the trainings.
