Blog Posts

Man with clipboard in cornfield
Read article: USDA rescinds federal restricted use pesticide recordkeeping requirement for private applicators
USDA rescinds federal restricted use pesticide recordkeeping requirement for private applicators
The USDA recently rescinded a rule that required all private applicators (those who apply pesticides to their own land) to keep records of their...
clean pesticide containers ready for recycling
Read article: 2025 Agrichemical container recycling program schedule
2025 Agrichemical container recycling program schedule
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced the single-day collection sites and dates for the 2025 Pesticide Container Recycling Program....
hands typing on a laptop
Read article: Taking a pesticide exam online soon? See these new equipment requirements first
Taking a pesticide exam online soon? See these new equipment requirements first
Illinois pesticide applicators and operators, if you have previously taken an Illinois Department of Agriculture online exam, you may already be...
Phytobac system
Read article: Phytobac™ breaks down spray tank residues
Phytobac™ breaks down spray tank residues
Private applicators have a novel way to handle spray tank residues when cleaning agricultural machinery and spraying equipment that was presented at...

News Releases

sprayer in the field spraying mist
Understanding the EPA’s final herbicide strategy
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - In August 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a new herbicide strategy aimed at better aligning with the Endangered Species Act. This new strategy will alter pesticide labels by adding extra mitigation measures that seek to reduce pesticide exposure to over...
Brooke Katcher and Lindsay Mahoney
Harvest is stressful, the community says thanks
MORRIS, Ill. – As farmers throughout Grundy, Kankakee, and Kendall Counties work diligently to bring in another harvest, University of Illinois Extension and the Kendall-Grundy and...

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