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Stark County Weed Control Board: Staff reports $201,843 in cost-share herbicide distribution, ROW spraying largely complete
Summary
Staff told the Stark County Weed Control Board that 177 cost-share appointments have been completed this season and YTD herbicide distribution totaled $201,843; majority of right-of-way spraying is complete, and staff expect to revisit ROWs for leafy spurge control this fall.
The Stark County Weed Control Board heard an operational update July 30 reporting 177 cost-share appointments so far this season and year-to-date herbicide distributions totaling $201,843, with the county covering $141,290 and landowners $60,553.
Travis Jepson, a staff member listed as present, said a Sprayer School on May 27 was well attended and that landowners have been using Method and Venue, products added to the cost-share list in 2024. Jepson said staff anticipate needing to order additional product later in the season to maintain inventory.
Board members were told the majority of right-of-way (ROW) spraying has been completed. With three new seasonal hires able to work into the fall and the return of Conway and Andrew, staff expect to go back over ROWs with Plateau to address leafy spurge and other concerns.
Chairman Mac Hoerner requested a weekly ROW spraying progress report for board members. Jepson and Jo Thompson said the current spray-mapping software cannot produce a clear, easy-to-read summary; because the noxious-weed customer base is small, they said there are few market alternatives, and they will prepare a manual progress summary for the board.
The board also heard that a Flea Beetle Field Day on July 9 drew roughly 20 participants who collected beetles for monitoring. Members were warned that pending changes to Commercial Applicator Certification—North Dakota currently allows open-book exams—could make it more difficult for future seasonal hires to obtain certification.
The board set its next meeting for Sept. 24 at 10:00 a.m.
