Clean Water Blog

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture asked us to help spread the word to area home owners and agriculture professionals – please use pesticides and fertilizers with care this spring!

Minnesota law requires anyone applying pesticide, including weed control products, and fertilizer for hire to be licensed by the MDA, and it also requires people to follow the label directions. MDA’s licensing program helps ensure that for-hire applicators have the knowledge and training to apply products safely.

To make sure professional lawn and garden applications are done properly and safely:
• Ask to see the applicator’s license. Licensed applicators must carry a license identification card with them.
• Get a written description of what the applicator did. Licensed applicators must provide customers a written record of work. This includes a list of products used and amounts applied.
If you’re doing the application yourself:
• Read and carefully follow all label requirements;
• Avoid applications on windy days, when the product is more likely to drift onto unintended plants; and
• Clean up spilled product anytime it falls on a hard surface like a sidewalk or driveway. Left alone, even these spills can end up washing into nearby creeks or lakes, or be tracked into homes.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) also reminds all agricultural professionals about the importance of observing legally required pesticide application setbacks to protect state water resources. Details on what the setbacks are can be found at the MDA website http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/releases/2009/nr-2009-04-23-pesticides.htm

If you are feeling the urge to spring clean you may be wondering what you should do with things like paints, fluorescent bulbs and poisons. 

The first collection will be this Saturday, April 25, at the Paynesville High School North Lot from 8 AM to 11 AM. 

Collections will be held throughout the summer in other locations.  Go to http://www.co.stearns.mn.us/4872.htm for a complete schedule. 

Products accepted include:

Products NOT accepted include:

Have you ever wondered what is the best way to dispose of unused prescription drugs? Well, this decision just got a little easier thanks to the “Prescription Drug Take Back Event” taking place on Thursday, April 30th.

When: Thursday, April 30th, from noon until 7:00 p.m.
Where: Lake George Municipal Complex in St. Cloud

No questions asked, no ID required. Will accept unused or outdated prescription drugs or other (illegal, street) drugs. If you have questions or need more information, please call (320) 250-2384.

Please join AmeriCorp volunteers on Monday, May 11 from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM as we help protect local water quality by marking storm drains. Register by April 24, 2009 to be eligible to win a free stay in a Grand Casino Mille Lacs Jacuzzi Suite. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers. For more information, or to register, please call (320) 251-5081 ext. 25 or email kclingman@childcarechoices.net.