January 29, 2020 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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Agriculture (i Wednesday, January 29, 2020 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 New pesticide applicator testing procedure By Greg Hartman finding an available appoint- formation Act of 1964, Executive Order sex, age, religion, disability, cific commercial product, The Oklahoma Depart- ment time, select “Govern- For more information con- 11246 as amended, Title IX or status as a veteran in any process, or service by trade ment of Agriculture, Food, ment/State Licensing Agen- tact Greg Hartman Beck- of the Education Amend- of its policies, practices or name, trademark, service and Forestry (ODAFF) has cies” for the organization, ham/Washita| County Ex- ments of 1972, Americans procedures. This includes mark, manufacturer, or oth- changed the way pesticide next select “Oklahoma” as tension at 580-928-2139 or with Disabilities Act of but is not limited to admis- applicators test to become the jurisdiction, then “OK 580-832-3356. 1990, and other federal laws sions, employment, finan- erwise does not constitute or certified applicators. All Pesticide” for the account. Oklahoma State Univer- and regulations, does not cial aid, and educational imply endorsement by Okla- testing will now be a proc- Finally select the appropri- sity, in compliance with Title discriminate on the basis of services. References within homa Cooperative Exten- tored computer based exam ate classification for the Vi and VII of the Civil Rights race, color, national origin, this publication to any spe- sion Service. that is currently only pro- category exam you wish to vided in Oklahoma at eight take, such as “OK Private Applicator”, “OK Core”, or Mike Thralls Memorial Scholarship PSI Services LLC test cen- ters. PSI has test centers lo- “OK la Agriculture Plant”. cated closes to us are: Enid, By entering your zip code, Oklahoma City, and Wood- the nearest test center will Appointments cannot be Applications Sought ward, PSI also has test cen- appear. ters in surrounding states. It is advised to check the PSI made or rescheduled at the website, psiexams.com, to testing centers. There are no Share and nurture. Thralls received numerous sion for 17 years. The scholarships will be pre- see which locations might walk-ins accepted at any of Mike Thralls didn’t just sented on Conservation Day awards through the years, in- It was said ofThralls, that, be closer that offer ODAFF the testing centers. Appoint- cast seeds of knowledge out at the State Capitol on April cluding the Olin Sims Con- “Mike worked for conserva- examinations. ments can be rescheduled or and then turn and walk away. 15,2020. servation Leadership Award tion improvements within All pesticide applicators canceled using the PSI web He made sure the informa- “When presenting the presented by NASCA, and the state of Oklahoma and (private, non-commercial, or site or reservation phone tion he shared about conser- scholarships, I look out at the Oklahoma Water Pioneer nationally with multiple commercial) must pass the number. Reservations must vation/agriculture set deep the audience and see all the Award at the Governor’s conservation organizations. computer exam at a PSI test be rescheduled or canceled roots that would be sustain- people Mike worked with in Conference hosted by the Besides reflecting his inborn center to become a certified two days before the testing able. He nurtured what he Conservation,” said Mike’s Oklahoma Water Resources stewardship for the land, applicator. Only certified ap- date or the applicator will sowed. wife, Donna Thralls. “They Board. whatever good Mike was plicators are allowed to pur- forfeit their exam fees. Do February will mark five were Mike’s co-workers but In 2017, Thralls was in- fortunate to be a part of, he chase and use restricted use not leave a voicemail when years since his passing. This most of all friends. They ducted into the Oklahoma would tell you, was due to pesticides (herbicides, in- cancelling a reservation, April will mark five years also are my friends, too. It Conservation Hall of Fame. God’s grace and the char- secticides, fungicides, etc.). make sure to speak to cus- of recognition of the Mike is like belonging to a fam- Looking back, after gradu- acter and professionalism Historically private applica- tomer service at least two Thralls Memorial Scholar- ily, the Conservation fam- ating from Billings Public of the people with whom he tors were able to purchase days before the exam date. ship winners. Two $500 ily. He would be very proud Schools, Thralls acquired worked.” take home test packets and Applicators must arrive at scholarships are awarded on for the recipients in all that a degree in animal science As the father of five chil- mail in the exam, but after the PSI test center at least an annual basis to students they have accomplished and from Oklahoma State Uni- dren, he took great joy in January 1, 2020 even private 30 minutes before the exam who are either current high what they want to further do versity and on Aug. 21, 1970 helping with 4-H and FFA applicators will have to test reservation. These 30 min- school seniors that will be for agriculture and conserva- married Donna Cinnamon of projects, and all that those at one of the PSI test centers. utes will allow time for sign- pursuing a degree in agri- tion.” Garber, Okla. organizations had to offer. All exams will require in, identification check, and culture or natural resources Hunter Jordan, of Jet, is a His obituary in 2015 stat- “Mike taught a lot of his an appointment to be made familiarizing the applicator at Oklahoma State Univer- past recipient and a senior at ed, “Mike’s life was one in principles to our five chil- via the PSI website (psiex- with the testing process. If sity, or students currently OSU studying Animal Sci- dren, and I am so happy to which he glorified his Christ ams.com) or the reservation the applicator shows up lat- enrolled at OSU in the Fer- ence Business. and edified his family, his see them applying them in phone number (1-800-733- er than 30 minutes prior to guson College of Agricul- “The Mike Thralls Memo- community and his state. As their lives,” Donna said. 9267). Applicators must the reservation, or does not ture and are graduates of an rial Scholarship meant so such, his legacy is that of That sharing continues on make an appointment for show up at all, the exam fee Oklahoma high school. much to me,” Jordan said. “I service. He considered him- through his family and the each exam they wish to take. will be forfeited. Thralls served agriculture definitely appreciated the fi- self fortunate to share with families of others, including For commercial applicators, Applicators must pro- and conservation is so many nancial support for my senior his neighbors in the honored the scholarship recipients. a separate appointment must vide some form of govern- ways including — serving year at OSU but the mean- livelihood of farming and “Mike believed in a person be made for the core exam ment issued identification, through the years as the Ex- ing was deeper than that. I ranching.” furthering their education and each specific category which includes a state issued ecutive Director of the Okla- was honored to be awarded There again is the word and doing the best they can,” exam. Each exam will cost driver’s license, state is- homa Conservation Com- this scholarship, because I share. Donna said. “He enjoyed $95 (except Private appli- sued identification card, US mission and as the Assistant am also actively involved “Share” describes Mike learning new things and ap- cators which is $65) and is passport, US military ID, or Secretary of Agriculture. He in farming and see the im- because he loved his Lord plying new things.” paid when making the ap- US alien registration card. also served as President of portance of conservation of very much and living a Plus, his acts of sharing al- pointment using a valid The ID must be valid (non- the National Association of resources. I shared that con- Christian life you just want ways came with a smile, and credit card (VISA, Master- expired), signature bearing, State Conservation Agencies nection with Mr. Thralls and to share and give to others,” that was a perfect reflection Card, American Express, or and have a photo. The exam (NASCA). certainly was honored to be Donna Thralls said. “That’s of the heart of Mike Thralls. Discover). Cash or check fee will be forfeited if the The award encourages ap- awarded his memorial schol- what he believed and tried to The Application Process will not be accepted. applicator does not provide plicants who are students arship.” do every day.” for the Mike Thralls Memo- To make an appointment proper identification. volved in 4-H, FFA, farming Seth Stone, of Chandler, is Being a producer wasn’t rial Scholarship: online, go to the psiexams. Study materials will still and/or ranching and have ex- a past recipient and a fresh- something he did for him- Applicants should submit com website and first cre- be available and able to pur- pressed an interest in conser- man at Oklahoma State Uni- self, He allowed his passion a 500 word essay on a con- ate an account. The applica- chase at Blaine C OSU Ex- vation. The students selected versity. for the land to extend into servation subject of their tor will be asked to put in tension offices. Visit with each year exhibit outstand- “The Mike Thralls Memo- numerous forms of service choice along with their full their email address and other your local OSU Extension ing character, professional- rial Scholarship is important including membership in name, address, telephone contact information. The ap- office, the OSU Pesticide ism and a commitment to to me because it has allowed many associations such as number, email address and plicator’s name should be Safety Education Program serve their community. me to meet people in the the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s a copy of their most recent spelled exactly as it is on website pested.okstate.edu, Applications are due to Oklahoma Association of Association, The Noblehigh school or college tran- the identification that will be and/or the ODAFF website the Oklahoma Association Conservation Districts and County Cattlemen’s Asso- scripts to OACD no later used at the test center. When ag.ok.go to find out more in- of Conservation Districts no hear how Mr. Thralls influ- ciation, Oklahoma Farm Bu- than March 29, 2020. Ap- later than March 29, 2020. enced and inspired them,” reau and The Noble County plications can be mailed or Stone said. “The Mike Community Board for Ag emailed to: Thralls Scholarship has also Stabilization and Conserva- OACD Oklahoma Cattlemen’s allowed me to pursue dou- ble majoring in Agronomy tion Service. Thralls served as Execu- PO Box 2775 Oklahoma City, OK 73101 along with Agriculture Engi- sarahblaney @okconserva- Association is thankful for the neering.” tive Director of the Oklaho- ma Conservation Commis- tion.org clarity of the new water rule Roger Mills County Cattlemen's Assoc. OKLAHOMA CITY, ponds and roadside ditches. The OCA is the trusted 42nd Annual All Breed Bull Sale OKLA., Jan. 24, 2020 - The We are thankful to the Ad- voice of the Oklahoma Cat- Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 12:15 p.m. Environmental Protection ministration for recognizing tle Industry. OCA is the only ROGER MILLS ‘COUNTY (Alternate date - February 8, 2020) Agency and Army Corps the need for this new rule.” voice that speaks solely for CATTLEMEN'S of Engineers finalized the This rule was proposed in the cattlemen of Oklahoma ASSOCIATION Cheyenne Ag Pavilion tule defining “waters of the December 2018 and has been and represents beef produc- (West side of Cheyenne) United States” (WOTUS). going through the adminis- ers in all 77 counties across Bulls consigned by the following: Oklahoma Cattlemen’s As- trative rulemaking process the state, The OCA officers, Mollet Angus Meador Angus Farms Mori White sociation is grateful for the for the past year. In Septem- board of directors and mem- Boswell Cattle Co. Brookshire Farms Beer Cattle new rule and the clarity it ber 2019, the 2015 WOTUS Jenkins Angus - Dennie Jenkins Markham Angus Buddy Robertson bership encourages you to Atkinson Farms Tony and TJ Dorrell includes. tule was officially repealed Ashton Cockrell “This is a major positive through a separate rule. This join us in our advocacy ef- Brink Angus Murrow Farms Frank & Lynda Lucas announcement for Okla- action cements the substan- forts to ensure less govern- Mike's Seedstock Co, Gwartney Simmental Jason Brown ment intervention, lower Justin Hickey 2H Farms, Mike & Connie Harris McPhail Angus homa Agriculture. One of tive replacement of WOTUS Black Hereford Ranch the worst issues with the old - arule defining which water taxes and a better bottom 65 Breeding Age Balls, Reghtred and Commercial rule was the vagueness and features deserve federal pro- line. For more information AgussAngns x Hereford Red Angus x Shotharm- Angus x Charolais PolledHi inx Angus- Cherelle Black Hereford Siemon Shorthorn Plas- Angus Mea med Hereford uncertainty. This new rule tection under the Clean Wa- about OCA membership, the provides clear definitions, ter Act and which features theft reward program or ac- For More Information andlor Catalogs Call giving cattle producers cer- are properly excluded from tivities call 405-235-4391 or Lynda Lucas - (580) 497-7366, Ryan Long - (580)-339-1919 Ashlea Yager - (580) 497-7124 tainty on such things as stock federal control. visit www.okcattlemen.org. or Email: [email protected] Have a photo or story to tell? Reach out to us at [email protected]