RIDGETOWN — Almost every farmer writing the neonicotinoid integrated pest management test has passed.
So far, 2,928 participants had taken the course and the open book test by Jan. 31, a necessity for farmers using neonics on their farms next year. Farmers need to correctly answer 19 out of 25 questions to pass, but can re-take the test if they fail. There have only been about five failures but they’ve had their reasons. One farmer failed because he forgot his hearing aid and couldn’t hear the instructor. All five have re-taken and passed the test.
Ridgetown College is set up to handle 28,000 tests within the next year. The course is free now, but there will be a yet-to-be-determined fee starting Sept. 1.
