LINCOLN — The Nebraska Chemigation Act was passed in 1987 to help ensure that the backflow of chemicals would not contaminate the ground and surface waters of the state from irrigation water application systems used to apply crop nutrients and pesticides (chemigation). The law requires producers who plan to apply fertilizer or pesticide through an irrigation system to be certified by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEE). Certification is valid for four years, and training is provided through UNL Extension.
To become a certified applicator, it is required that you complete a training session and pass a written exam that verifies your knowledge of the Chemigation Act, including how to calibrate injection equipment, use required safety equipment, and decide where and when chemigation is appropriate.
Permit holders for their specific injection site(s) must have at least one up-to-date certified applicator listed, whether it be themselves or any person operating equipment used to apply chemicals through their irrigation system.
Online Training for 2024 is available at the University of Nebraska Chemigation webpage: https:// water.unl. edu/article/agricultural-irrigation/chemigation. Local training dates and locations for Chemigation Applicators are as follows: Other training dates and locations are available on the NDEE website: https://edmedia.wufoo.com/ reports/2024-chemigation-training-dates-copy/ or by calling UNL Extension in Norfolk at 402-370-4040.