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Grower
Pesticide Safety Course and Agricultural Assistant Training
Who
Needs to Take the Grower Pesticide Safety Course?
If you are an Ontario grower (farmer) and want to buy and use
Schedules 1, 2 and 5 pesticides on the land you farm, you must be a
Certified Grower. There must be at least one Certified Grower for
each farm operation.
You are a grower (farmer) if you:
- use land for agricultural or forestry production, and
- that land is classified as farmlands property under the Ontario
Assessment Act.
OR that land is not classified as farmlands property under
the Ontario Assessment Act but you are involved in the
application of pesticides for the purpose of agricultural or
forestry production. The agricultural or forestry commodity being
produced is for market and not solely for consumption by you or by
members of your household. The agricultural or forestry production
is not done as a hobby or for recreational purposes.
You may own, rent, lease or share
crop the farm land you use or may be employed on the farm land.
To become a Certified Grower, you
must:
- attend a one day Grower Pesticide
Safety Course and
- successfully complete the Grower
Pesticide Safety Course and
- be at least 16 years of age and
- meet the above definition of a
grower.
It takes just one day of your time -
and your certificate is valid for five years. Find out what
you need to know to keep yourself, your family, and the environment
safe when you use pesticides. Learn important facts that will
help you to make sure that you get the best value for your pest
management dollar.
Click Course/Exam
Schedule to choose a course offered in your area. Then
Register online or call
1-800-652-8573 .
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What
is a Schedule 1, 2 or 5 Pesticide?
The Ministry of the Environment classifies all pesticides sold in
Ontario into one of six Schedules (groups). Schedules 1, 2 and 5
pesticides are more dangerous, and you must be trained before you
can buy and use them on farmland.
Find out about the Schedules of the
pesticide products you use. Ask your pesticide vendor, check OMAF production publications or check online at www.opac.gov.on.ca.
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How
Can I Become a Certified Grower for the First Time?
If you are a farmer, you can certify for the first time when you
attend a one day Grower Pesticide Safety Course (GPSC) and pass the
certification exam. You will write the open book exam in two parts,
one before lunch and one at the end of the day. The exam is made up
of multiple choice and short answer questions. You need a mark of
75% to pass the exam.
If you have any special needs or
questions about getting ready for the test, just give us a
call. And if you need to, there are several ways that you can
try the exam again.
Try our online tutorial, Use
Pesticides Safely. This online learning exercise is
designed to help anyone who handles pesticides, including
homeowners, farmers and trainees who are studying to become
commercial applicators.
Once you sign up for a course, your
Grower Pesticide Safety Course Manual may be picked up ahead of
attending the course so you can read the information before you get
there. Click Pick Up a Manual for manual pick up locations
near you. The cost of the manual is included in the course
registration fee.
Click Course/Exam
Schedule for a list of courses offered near you.
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How
Can I Renew my GPSC Certificate?
Certified Growers must renew their certification every five years.
You have two ways to renew your certificate. You may:
- attend a GPSC and pass the exam at
the course, or
- study the GPSC manual at home, and
pass the exam at an exam-only session. Note: You
must have previously held a valid certificate to qualify for this option.
The GPSC manual and exam are the same
for first time and renewing farmers.
Click Course/Exam
Schedule for a list of courses and exam-only sessions
offered across Ontario. Click Pick
Up a Manual for a list of manual pick up locations near you.
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How
Much Does It Cost?
Your fee of $85 is payable to the University of Guelph.
The fee for initial certification and renewal are the same.
Fees are collected on the day of the course or exam-only
session. Receipts are given.
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How
Can I Register for a Course or Exam Session?
Most courses and exam-only sessions are offered between November and
April. The Ontario Pesticide Education Program at University of
Guelph Ridgetown Campus co-ordinates all the courses and exam-only
sessions across Ontario.
In some areas, agribusinesses &
associations work with Ridgetown Campus to co-ordinate courses for
local growers. Your local contact may take your GPSC registration
directly.
Click Course/Exam
Schedule for a list of courses and exam-only sessions
offered across Ontario. Click Pick
Up a Manual for manual pick up locations near you.
To register for a Grower Pesticide
Safety Course or GPSC Exam-Only Session
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Do
Agricultural Assistants Use Schedule 2 or 5 Pesticides on Your
Farm?
Pesticide safety training is now mandatory for all assistants who
handle Schedule 2 or 5 pesticides on farmland under supervision of a
Certified Grower. These assistants must have training approved by
the Ministry of the Environment to become Trained Assistants
(TA’s).
This regulation applies to family
members, farm employees and foreign workers. TA’s do NOT have to
write an exam, but they must be 16 years of age or older.
There are two ways assistants can
become TA’s. They can:
- attend a Grower Pesticide Safety
Course, and not write the exam, or
- attend an on-farm training session
presented by a qualified TA Instructor.
All Certified Growers are eligible to
take the half-day TA Instructor Course to teach on-farm training for
assistants. For more information, click Agricultural
Assistants or call 1-800-652-8573 .
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Why
Was the Grower Pesticide Safety Course Developed?
The GPSC was developed in response to pesticide safety concerns
expressed by farming organizations, the pesticide industry,
government agencies and the public.
Pesticide safety training can help to
reduce the risks of pesticide use. The GPSC provides farmers with
the information they need to ensure food safety - and to keep
themselves, their families and the environment safe.
The Ontario Pesticide Education
Program (OPEP) has been providing Grower Pesticide Safety Course
training for Ontario farmers since 1987. Program policies are set by
the OPEP Steering Committee with representatives from:
Over 24,000
Ontario farmers are Certified Growers!
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