A private applicator is a person who applies restricted-use (pesticide label identifies) pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity AND pesticides are applied on property that you own, rent or your employer owns or rents. If an applicator does not meet BOTH parts of the definition, they are considered a commercial applicator. Example of a commercial applicator is working for a lawn care company or county Highway employee.
General Farm in-person group training events will be announced soon for 2026.
Private applicator General Farming Manuals are only available at the WI Pesticide Applicator Training PAT Online Store. Cost is $43/each. County Extension offices do not have them for sale. You may purchase a book for self study and take your test at the County Extension office by appointment (Juneau County 608-847-9329). When taking the test at the County Extension office you will need to provide your certification form (inside the front cover of the manual with the PAT number on it) to the test proctor (i.e. Extension office) to have your certification processed. If you purchased a PDF or online course, then you will receive it via mail.
Those wishing to be certified in Fruit Crops or Greenhouse and Nursery can take the General Farming training, but then take the exam for those specialized categories.
