APPLIED INVESTMENTS

By Bailey Grubish

The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) dedicated checkoff funds to reimburse the incoming generation of farmers who complete the Minnesota Private Pesticide Applicators certification.

Minnesota’s soybean checkoff program is designed to provide tools to producers. When the idea to offer reimbursement for farmers to certify as Minnesota Private Pesticide Applicators, there was no hesitation from Council directors.

“We want to encourage our farmers to receive this license, and in particular, we wanted to offer an incentive to farmers on the younger side,” Council Director Kris Folland said. “Being good stewards is important to our board, and this training is a big step in that process.”

The first 200 farmers between the ages of 18-35 can apply for reimbursement for the $75 through MSR&PC. The certification lasts for three years.

MSR&PC offers to reimburse younger farmers who become certified private applicators

“Offering reimbursement is twofold – our farmers need to be very confident when it comes to spray application,” MSR&PC Research Director David Kee said. “First, their sprayers are either their best friend or their worst enemy. When improper spray application is used to distribute crop protection materials, which are highly important for successful farming, it can cause off target damage. This is one of the biggest black eyes in farming. Number two, once they possess their private applicator certification, they’re allowed to utilize restricted pesticides, which can only be used by certified applicators.”

To apply for reimbursement, the form can be found at mnsoybean. org/msrpc/. It can be completed online, and emailed or printed out and mailed in. Once the form and applicator identification number are received, the check for reimbursement will be mailed out to the applicant.

Information to take the exam

Reimbursement reminder

can be found on the University of Minnesota Extension’s website. Study materials are available for free online, or a print version can be purchased. The exam itself can be take online or a paper mail-in version is available for pick up at the extension office. The exams are offered in February and January of each year and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) suggests taking recertification before March 1 of the expiration year to avoid a gap in certification.

Minnesota has more than 16,000 certified Private Pesticide Applicators using Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP), and MSR&PC wants to help grow this number with the offer of this reimbursement. When farmers hold their own certification, they have more control over the pesticides they’re using and when they’re applied.

“The Private Pesticide Applicator certification allows you to be timely,” Kee said, “and in farming timing is key and is one of the keys to success with pesticides.”

The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council voted to reimburse the cost of the exam (a $75 value) for the first 200 farmers between the ages of 18-35 who apply for reimbursement through MSR&PC.

To qualify for reimbursement through MSR&PC, you must be able to provide your Private Pesticide Applicator number as proof of taking the exam.

The certification is good three years. Visit

By Bailey Grubish

Growing both soybeans and farmers are specialties of the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) Corteva Young Leader program.

Minnesota soybean farmers work to grow the best product, but one of the best products they can grow is themselves through leadership courses.

Minnesota farmers Tim Braun and Gary Schoenfeld were accepted into the leader program for 2022-23. This is a two-phase program, with a third phase held in Washington, D.C., later this summer for qualifying leaders. In late November, the pair completed phase one of the program during a visit to Corteva’s headquarters in Johnston, Iowa.

“We had leadership training, and how to be a better voice for agriculture,” Schoenfeld said of the first phase.

As part of the program, Schoenfeld and Braun will serve as at-large directors with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. In December 2022, they both participated in their first MSGA board meeting. During the meeting, the two farmers learned about MSGA’s priorities and how MSGA works with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, the checkoff board that is