NEWS FROM VNLA
In Memory of
LAWRENCE WILLIAM BOITNOTT Lawrence William Boitnott (Larry), 88, of Roanoke, Virginia was peacefully called to his heavenly home on Friday, September 4, 2020 at his home in Botetourt County. Larry was born March 23, 1932 in Boones Mill, VA to Bud and Ethel Boitnott. He graduated from Boones Mill High School in 1950, earned his Science Degree from Ferrum College in 1953, and after college, he served in the U.S. Navy for two years. In 1974, Larry graduated from Virginia Tech with a Master’s in Horticulture. He was a Master Gardener and hosted a gardening radio show during part of his career on WFIR radio. Larry was the Co-founder of Creative Nursery & Landscapes, Inc. Larry’s vast knowledge and experience in the Horticultural field spanned over five decades. He served as a VA Extension Agent for over 30 years and “retired” in 1987 to serve as the company’s Secretary/Treasurer and Maintenance Supervisor as Creative Nursery continued to grow. Larry enjoyed his work very
much and contributed greatly to the success of the company. He continued to remain very active in the business until he was 86. Larry was active in his church, First Church of God in Roanoke and was a Gideon with Gideons International, serving there alongside his wife for many years. Doing his big chicken barbeque was one of his favorite ways to serve ( and a favorite of those who had the privilege of enjoying it) for the annual Gideon Picnic. Among his other accomplishments were various recognitions and awards for serving as Secretary of VESA, Outstanding Leadership in the Virginia Turfgrass Association, and serving as President for the Botetourt Kiwanis Club from 2009–2010. In his spare time, Larry enjoyed gardening for most of his life and he generously shared many “fruits” of his labor from the garden with family and friends through the years. Larry is no doubt planting a heavenly garden right now. His family is joyful in the knowledge that they will be reunited again in that Heavenly garden. •
Certification Update from VDACS Authorization to Test — Expiration dates for all authorization letters for prospective applicators to take the exam(s) to become certified issued on or after December 20, 2019, have been extended to January 31, 2021 or the current date of expiration, whichever is greater. Prospective applicators that do not take the exam(s) by January 31, 2021 or the current date of expiration, whichever is greater, will be required to submit a new application with appropriate fees to take the exam(s). The most current information regarding testing at DMV is available at https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/general/ #appointments.asp. Should an applicator need additional information regarding DMV reopening or services available, please instruct them to contact DMV directly. For registered technicians, please be reminded that under the “Temporary Registered Technician Requirement” licensed pesticide businesses can allow their employees to apply pesticides without obtaining a registered technician certification, for the duration of the state of emergency due to COVID-19, as declared by Governor Northam (Executive Order 51), when these employees meet certain training and testing requirements. This also applies 8 • VNLA News • Winter 2020
to registered technicians not for hire (any registered technician who uses or supervises the use of pesticides as part of his job duties only on property owned or leased by him or his employer. It also applies to governmental employees who use or supervise the use of pesticides, whether on property owned or leased by them or their employers or not, in the performance of their official duties). Allowing employees to apply pesticides without obtaining a registered technician certification will cease 30 days after Governor Northam rescinds Virginia’s COVID-19 state of emergency. The training and testing requirements, as well as the requirements for the licensed pesticide business, can be found on our website http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/covid-temporary-registeredtechnicianrequirements.pdf. Pesticide businesses should complete one form per pesticide business location and return the form to VDACS. Copies of the training or testing (exam) should not be sent to VDACS. Pesticide businesses are required to keep documentation of the training and testing of employees under this temporary requirement for two years. You are encouraged to check our website for the most current pesticide applicator certification information at https://www. vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticide-applicator-certification.shtml
