Pesticide Applicator Self-Service Site Now Available From IDALS
Pesticide applicators and licensed businesses have a new way to apply for their certification, pay fees, and check on their status. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has launched a self-service portal for pesticide applicators meant to streamline the certification process.
Never Logged-in Before?
First-time users will need to register to use the online site. Once registered, users can check on their status, pay fees, and retrieve certification numbers. The site also works for licensed businesses and private applicators.
Additionally, for new applicators who will be working for a licensed business under the supervision of a certified applicator and need to take the private applicator test as the workaround during the COVID-19 pandemic, registration, and payment of fees can be done directly from the portal. A successfully completed test immediately provides a certified applicator number.
Where to Log-in
- First-time users can register here – click here
- Instructions on First Time User registration instructions – click here
- Pesticide Applicator Self-Service site (login page for those already registered) – click here
How To Use Self-Service Portal
The self-service portal uses each pesticide applicator’s unique certification number to match their application and payment to their training and testing history.
To apply for a new or renew an existing pesticide applicator license, individuals will use their certification number to log-in to the self-service portal. The licensee can submit their application, test results, and payment online.
Once in-person testing resumes, proctored test locations will use each applicator’s unique certification number when uploading the test results to the self-service portal. The portal will link the user’s training and testing information to the application and payment records stored in the online system.
Once the application, payment, training, and testing information are received, the licenses and certifications will be processed and sent directly to the applicant.
By moving the process online, individual pesticide applicators can access their records anytime by logging into the self-service portal. The system also has a public search function that empowers customers and employers to verify that their pesticide applicators are licensed to work in the state of Iowa.
Next Steps for Pesticide Applicators
INLA received updated information about the priorities of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) concerning pesticide applicators. Both the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and the Governor has been working with us to find solutions and we appreciate the priority they have placed on keeping the food system as uninterrupted as possible. Their efforts to keep agriculture running in these unprecedented times is greatly appreciated.
We are aware of the difficulty INLA members are facing the lack of certified applicator numbers in the face of needing to apply restricted-use pesticides such as dicamba. This continues to be an ongoing conversation and is a high priority.
IDALS has shared with us they are working through regulatory relief to address pesticide applicator issues related to COVID-19 in a step-by-step process:
- The first step was to provide immediate options for those applicators who were certified as of Dec. 31, 2019.
- Provide options that address the cancellation of in-person testing sites for commercial and private applicator certification due to public health recommendations.
- Work with EPA and the Governor’s office to address other pesticide-related regulatory issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below are questions IDALS has been receiving and the department’s answers to those questions.
Q&A – Answered by IDALS; Pesticide Applicator Certification
1) Once an applicator has his/her private applicator certification, can they apply dicamba and paraquat?
All applicators must follow pesticide label directions. We are in constant communication with EPA regarding pesticide label statements for these products and have requested clarification from EPA on the requirements of the federal label as they pertain to the distinction of ‘use’ by private vs. commercial applicators. However, there has been no change to label requirements granted thus far.
A) Do they receive their applicator license number at that point? I have heard applicators need to input that number when they apply chemicals like dicamba.
Applicators will be able to get their certified applicator number and pesticide company license number through the online pesticide portal.
These recent challenges have slowed the processing of paper submissions. Processing of paper submissions for private pesticide certifications is very close to being caught up and available through the online pesticide portal. There continues to be a delay in processing paper submissions for commercial applicator certifications and the team is working to complete them as soon as possible.
B) If they don’t receive their applicator number online (after they’ve paid for a license), is there a way they can continue to utilize those chemicals while waiting?
No, the applicator must follow all product label requirements. Dicamba and paraquat labels require a completed certification and applicator number.
2) After the proclamation expires, will there be any kind of grace period for the new commercial applicators that haven’t yet been able to take their in-person tests?
The regulatory relief only applies through the duration of the proclamation and any extensions. We recognize this as a potential issue and are in constant communication with the Governor’s office. We will work with her team to look for solutions to help ease the transition.
3) Can a person who already has a private applicator license go to work as a commercial applicator for an ag retailer only during this declaration period?
Yes, the provisions of the general supervision requirements apply to all private certified applicators. This includes all current private certified applicators, new private certified applicators, and private certified applicators who were certified as of 12/31/19. This regulatory relief only applies through the duration of this proclamation and any further extensions.
4) Is there any additional regulatory relief for aerial applicators since the commercial applicator waiver doesn’t apply to them?
Not at this time. Aerial applicators requirements go beyond the agricultural pesticide applicator categories (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) and are outlined in a separate category (11), which means the standards of competency for aerial applicators are different than those of agricultural categories.
Continuing Communication
Restricted use pesticides add an additional layer of complication because it involves federal rules. We will continue to work with IDALS to get pesticide applicator issues handled so you can fill the critical need to keep the food supply functioning in the state and the country.
Questions about the self-service site can be directed to the Pesticide Bureau via email [email protected].
Congrats & Thank You 2020 Auction Donors!
2020 INLA Scholarship Recipients
Annually the Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association (INLA) provides scholarships to students who are pursuing majors in horticulture degrees at Iowa colleges. INLA is pleased to award the ISU Haber Scholarship Winner to Luke Dietrich of West Des Moines, IA and the Community College Scholarship to Taylor Greko of Kirkwood Community College.
Harber Scholarship
Luke Dietrich, ISU
Community College Scholarship
Taylor Greko, Kirkwood Community College
2020 Scholarship Auction Donors
Thank you to all the companies who donated to the scholarship auction. All funds raised go toward the INLA scholarships.
Alta Falls Pond & Supply
Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau
Anderson Nursery
Anderzhon Nursery Sales
Arborjet
B & B Bedding
Bachman’s Inc.
Bailey Nurseries
Bluebird Nursery, Inc.
Breezy Hill Nursery Inc.
Brenton Arboretum
Casey’s General Stores
Central Landscape Supply
Chicago Cubs
Deere Run
Doty Nurseries
Golden Valley Hardscapes
Golden Valley Hardscapes
/Xylem Ltd
Goodmark Nurseries
Great Plains Nursery
Greenleaf Nursery Co
Hughes Nursery
Iowa Arboretum
Iowa Cubs
Iowa Lakes Community College
Iowa State University
Iowa Urban Tree Council
ISU Horticulture
Johnson’s Nursery
Kankakee Nursery Co
King Materials
King’s Material Inc.
(Dennis Rigby)
Kirkwood Community College
Kum & Go
L&G Products
Lelena
Matthias Landscaping
Midland Concrete Products
Midwest Arborist Supplies
Midwest Groundcovers
Nick Reiter, Escapes Landscape & Design
Quick Supply
Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements
Reiman Gardens
Robert Adolph
Rochester Concrete Products/ Quick Supply
Site One John Deere Landscapes
Studebaker Nurseries
TheTessman Companies
TreeDiaper
Unilock
Vermeer
Ritter Joins INLA Hall of Fame
Ryan Ritter of West Burlington, Iowa, has joined the green industry’s top names in the INLA Hall of Fame. Ritter’s achievement was announced at the INLA annual meeting in February in Ames, Iowa.
Ritter is the Landscape Manager for Ritter’s Inc. Ritter’s Inc. is a 3rd generation family-owned landscaping and garden center. He earned his BS in Horticulture from Iowa State University and is Past President of Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association.
Ritter has a passion for the green industry. His continuous support to the association with industry knowledge and his leadership is appreciated.
Schrock Named ICNP of the Year
Dylan J. Schrock of North Liberty was Iowa Certified Nursery Professional (ICNP) of the Year at the 2020 INLA annual meeting. Each year the association leadership identifies an individual who exemplifies the characteristics that are key to an ICNP.
Schrock currently works for the University of Iowa as their groundskeeper. He received his degree from Kirkwood Community College in Landscape Design. He also received the INLA Community College Scholarship in 2016. Most recently, Schrock participated as a volunteer for the INLA Day of Service project at the Ronald McDonald House in October 2019, helping with plant care, transportation and set up.
New Date Announced for Postponed Day of Service 9.26.19
2019 INLA Day of Service Coming Up Fast!
WHEN: September 19, 2019 – NEW DATE: SEPTEMBER 26
WHERE: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa | 730 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA 52246
For the 2019 Day of Service, INLA is traveling to Iowa City on September 19, 2019. Our volunteers and member companies are helping with a landscaping project at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa.
“The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois helps families with sick children stay close to each other and the care they and resources they need when they need it most.
Through the Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City and our Family Rooms in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, we help remove the barriers that separate families while they receive treatment for a critically ill or injured child.” Read More about the RMH.
To volunteer please email Joan O’Brien [email protected] for details. Or Call the INLA office 515-262-8323. Thank You!
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Annual Symposium
Saturday, October 19, 2019. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The annual symposium is the Botanical Garden’s signature educational opportunity for advancing gardening in Iowa. Each fall, four internationally acclaimed lecturers visit Des Moines to speak about current topics that impact home horticulture, plant sciences and/or ecology.
This year’s symposium theme is The Resilient Garden. Discover multi-layered, colorful and resilient gardens, from a rural presidential estate to the Brooklyn Bridge, that will inspire you to balance biodiversity with beauty in your own garden.
Registration
To register online, please click here. Prefer to pay via cash or check? Please print and fill out this form and return it to the Garden with your registration.
Speakers and Topics:
Rebecca McMackin: Brooklyn Bridge Park: Lessons (so far) in Built-Ecology
Peter Hatch: Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden
Patrick Cullina: The Dynamic Landscape Explored: Examining Strategies for Creating Transformative Spaces with Plants
Grieve Inducted Into the 2019 INLA Hall of Fame
left to right: Linda Grieve, Perennial Gardens, and INLA Board President John Hughes
Ames, Iowa – On February 23, 2019, the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA) recognized Linda Grieve, owner of Perennial Gardens in Ankeny, Iowa. INLA honored Grieve at the INLA hosted awards ceremony during the Iowa State University Shade Tree & Short Course in Ames, Iowa.
Grieve graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in psychology, after which she moved to Richland Missouri to teach elementary classes while her husband was serving in Korea for the United States Army. She eventually went back to school herself and earned a master’s degree in Counseling from Drake University. She counseled High school students as well as students at the Polk County Juvenile Home.
In 1996, she started her own perennial bed maintenance company out of their garage and things took off. Her clients wanted more, so she hired James and then Dan to help diversify the company and take on installation and construction – as well as maintenance.
One of the most memorable projects she worked on was the Meredith Publishing test gardens. She has enjoyed watching those gardens and her designs mature and evolve over time.
Greive has strived for continuous learning and involvement for both her and her staff. Early on she gained a lot of knowledge from the Iowa Botanical Center. From there she became involved in the Garden Club of America and became a national representative and in 2017 she chaired the national horticulture conference for the GGA in Omaha, NE with over 240 GCA members attending from across the US.
“She is loved and adored by friends, family and our industry,” says Mark Scheider, Iowa Arboretum Executive Director.
She is the past board president and has stayed involved with INLA through the Annual Day of Service by creating the landscape designs and layout for our last two projects. Her accomplishments also include being the past president of the Iowa Arboretum and helped celebrate the arboretum’s 50th year anniversary with completing a master plan with Confluence Landscape Architects. Grieve has achieved many positive outcomes in her personal life and professional career. She has been a successful business woman, organizational representative, wife, mother & grandmother. She approaches each of these areas with passion and joy. She has done so much in the horticultural world (locally and nationally). Congratulations to Linda Grieves!
Burkle Named 2019 ICNP of the Year
Michael Burkle (left) and ICNP board John Hughes (right)
Ames, Iowa – On February 23, 2019, the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA) named Michael Burkle, Landscape Construction Instructor at Kirkwood Community College and small business owner, as the 2019 ICNP of the Year. He was named at the INLA hosted awards ceremony during the Iowa State University Shade Tree & Short Course in Ames, Iowa.
Everyone who knows Burkle describes him as a humble and kind man of few words. He is truly a teacher in everything he does. Burkle has fun identifying hardscape patterns on walks with his wife and quite possibly noting a job well done or snapping a few photos of a failed project. Burkle clearly has a passion for what he does and loves sharing it with anyone around him.
After 9 years of teaching at Kirkwood Community College, he’s still constantly tweaking and updating his materials to ensure his courses are engaging and current with industry practices. He also stays relevant and connected to the industry as owner/operator of Rock Hardscapes, which was recognized at Unilock’s 2018 Awards of Excellence for their outstanding work in landscape construction.
Burkle’s dedication to teaching and his students is most evident in the amount of time he invests in his work and students outside of the classroom. It’s not uncommon to find him in front of his computer late into the evening creating or refining class materials. Each year he spends his spring break driving a van full of students halfway across the country to compete in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.
Burkle has gone above and beyond for INLA to help organize and orchestrate our INLA Day of Service by bringing tools, supplies, and volunteer students. Congratulations to Michael Burkle for his achievement on earning the 2019 ICNP of the Year.
Adolph Presented with 2019 INLA Merit Award
left to right: Robert Adolph, Midwest Groundcover, INLA Board President John Hughes.
Ames, Iowa – On February 23, 2019, the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA) recognized Robert Adolph of Midwest Groundcovers. Adolph began at Midwest Groundcovers in 1985 as an Assistant Propagator Trainee after graduating from Iowa State University (ISU).
Adolph started at the bottom, literally, gluing water pipe in the ditches. As he got out of the ditches, he became responsible for maintenance and is now the Maintenance & Construction Manager of two large growing nurseries and a redistribution material hub.
“My interactions with the owners [of Midwest Groundcovers] and the many people who have passed through this company have greatly impacted my life and the way I look at things — for the better,” comments 2019 INLA Merit Award winner Robert Adolph.
Over the years Adolph has played an integral role in the development of a multitude of projects for both Midwest Groundcovers, Midwest Trading, and various philanthropic projects. For the past decade or more he can be found quietly behind the scenes at the ISU Shade Tree and Short Course and INLA, helping exhibitors move it, bidding up auction items and sharing his unique kindness and knowledge.
“Robert is extremely loyal, dedicated and is very concerned of the company’s interests. He has over the years become a very important part in the development of Midwest Groundcovers and we hope he will be for many years to come…” said Peter Orum, company founder, when asked about Adolph.
63RD ANNUAL ISU SHADE TREE SHORT COURSE & INLA TRADE SHOW
SAVE THE DATE!
63RD ANNUAL ISU SHADE TREE SHORT COURSE & INLA TRADE SHOW
February 19-21, 2019
SCHEMAN BUILDING, AMES
Add Feb 19-21, 2019 to your calendar! The 2019 INLA Trade Show will be full of education, networking, INLA hosted member meeting, a scholarship hospitality hour, and more!
The schedule has been announced and you can view all updates are posted on the Trade Show page.
Iowa State University’s Shade Tree Short Course is once again teaming up with the Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association and the Iowa Arborist Association for the annual trade show. The partnership brings exhibitors an even bigger, better opportunity to connect with potential clients by highlighting the best of both worlds and incorporating INLA’s long-standing trade show into the traditional ISU Shade Tree Short Course educational sessions.
FOR EXHIBITORS
DOWNLOAD EXHIBITOR PACKET WITH REGISTRATION HERE>>>
Hotel Information
The Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association is not responsible for making hotel reservations for exhibitors or sponsors during the annual trade show. INLA reserved a block of rooms at the Country Inn & Suites in Ames. Please call the hotel directly to make reservations for your stay. Please reference the “Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association” to receive the group discount of $109/per night (plus taxes). Hotel cut off date for discounts – January 19, 2019.
Hotel: Country Inn & Suites
Phone: 515-233-3935
Address: 2605 SE 16th St, Ames, IA 50010
Set-Up
Exhibitor set-up will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19. In order to visit with ICNPs and take advantage of the Preview and Reception, exhibitors are encouraged to be set-up by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19; however, you must be set up no later than 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 20. Exhibits will be set-up on the first and second floor of the Scheman Building and display space is available in the parking lot. Several pushcarts and volunteers are available in the ground floor lobby area to help transport your materials to the exhibit space.
There is a freight elevator located at the dock (northwest corner of the building) that can be used to transport to the first floor. If a forklift is required, please call ISU at 515-956-3204 to schedule a time between 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19.
Shipping
If you require shipment of materials, please send to:
Iowa State Center
c/o Shade Tree Short Course/INLA
Suite 4 Scheman Building
Ames, IA 50011
Phone: 515-294-3347
Exhibitors may tear down their booths between 1:30-5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 21. Carts will be available in the ground floor lobby of the Scheman Building to transport your materials to your vehicles. If you have materials which need to be shipped back to your organization, please pack them in an appropriate container or box, place a pre-paid shipping label on the outside, and leave at your exhibit table. Building staff will ship it back for you via your preferred carrier the following business day.
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