New course meets need for applicators

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A unique two-day class for first-time agriculture applicators came about to fill a void.

“The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association is membership-based and we get feedback from our ag retail members,” said John Rebholz, IFCA safety and education director.

“Some of the feedback that we’ve received included the need for a class that can jump-start those folks that are coming into the ag retail sector. They may or may not have a farm background.

“So, if we can provide them with the basics in the classroom, then once they go back to their ag retail facility from the classroom to the cab seat, then they can expand on the information that was provided in the classroom. They can incorporate that into the on-the-job training on the machines.

“We’re giving not just the basics, but an understanding of the industry that they will be working in.”

The classes are open to farmers and professional applicators from throughout the United States.

“We have sister organizations that are similar to IFCA and those folks are welcome to come, too, if they don’t have a similar program,” Rebholz said.

“If you’re from out of state, or if you’re a farmer, if you’re a grower and you have your own pesticide application equipment and you’re kind of new to it, or you’ve hired someone to hop into that machine, you’re all more than welcome.

“It’s open to anyone who wants to come into the classroom and spend two days with two quality instructors. They’ve been doing this. They have a proven track record.

“After Asmark decided to close shop here, we were receiving phone calls that said if you ever reinvent this, let us know because we want to send a pipeline of folks to you.”

The Asmark Institute Agricenter opened in Bloomington in 2012 to provide applicator training. In 2017, Asmark purchased an additional 10 acres of land and another building near the Agricenter to host applicator training courses for new and experienced applicators. It included an outdoor course for in-cab training. The institute in Illinois closed in 2018.

IFCA purchased the Asmark building where the training is being conducted.

“The training does not extend into hands-on work with the actual applicator equipment. We decided not to go with the actual application equipment. We feel that because of the variety of the equipment, that should be done back at the ag retail sector,” Rebholz said.

General Standards

Course content includes topic such as reading label information, mechanics of application equipment, basic applicator math, formations and agitation, adjuvants and other tank additives, clean-outs, drift reduction technology, and road and field safety.

“A lot of the curriculum came from Asmark. They were kind enough to let us utilize the curriculum. However, once we developed an applicator training committee, we went through and vetted the information,” Rebholz said.

IFCA also worked with Aaron Hager, University of Illinois weed science professor, to review and update any sections from the Asmark curriculum.

“The new Endangered Species Act requirements that was not listed in the previous course, so we added the ESA of the new EPA requirements,” Rebholz said.

“We’re trying to keep it fresh. We’re trying to keep it ongoing. We only printed enough manuals for two classes. We don’t want to print 120 manuals ahead of time because we want to make sure the information is going to be updated in. That’s the reason we’re going with Volume 1, and then the next time it may be Volume 2, because we’re going to go back through and vet the information.”

Instructors

Long-time instructors Gary Cornell and Greg Yoder will lead the classes.

“It’s all about instructors as far as I’m concerned, and the interaction with the students in the classroom,” Rebholz said.

“What I really like about Gary and Greg is they challenge the students. They’ll show them demonstrations. They’ll be doing some group exercises.”

Schedule

Two sessions are scheduled — July 14-15 and Sept. 15-16 — at IFCA’s headquarters, 10226 E 1400 North Rd., Bloomington. There’s a limit of 22 attendees per course, and the registration is $500 per person.

“In 2027, we will have classes in January, February and March. Once the folks are into planting season, we’ll hold off until July and September next year,” Rebholz said.

“The reason we don’t host in August class is because of the Midwest Ag Industry Exposition show, but that will be a good time to promote our course at the MAGIE show.

“When they’re in the field, the classroom is idle. When they’re not in the field, that’s when the classroom is open.”

Get more details and register at ifca.com/Training/First_Pass.