The USU Extension Office just recently did some work along the Price River Walkway with help from local students and other agencies. Agriculture Assistant Professor, Steve Price took time to come into Castle Country Radio to talk about the project.

“So this was a cooperative project with the Skyline Cooperative Weed Management area. So they came in and we had cooperators from ten different agencies and we removed invasive Russian Olive and Tamarisk Trees from along the northern side of Price River Walkway,” said Price. Those agencies that assisted with the project were the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and Carbon/Emery Weed Departments.

“So initially that area was treated about 15 years ago and what we were doing is removing the stuff that had grown back, just so it didn’t retake the area. I think it’s going to look a lot better particularly if we get some of those native trees growing it’s going to look awesome,” stated Price. Two classes from Carbon High assisted in planting the trees along the river. Without assistance from the agencies and the students, this project would not have been able to be completed.

The registered use pesticide classes that usually take place during the year have to be moved to Zoom style meetings due to the COVID pandemic. “So these are things that maybe agencies have to use to control noxious weeds or things that farmers might have to use occasionally to get rid of pests or weeds in their fields. So those require, because they are sold in large concentrated quantities, the state requires and national law requires that people get a registered use pesticide permit to apply those,” said Price. Continuing Education Units (CEU) are required by law and if you obtain them in a timely manner you will not have to take the test that is required.

A Private Applicator CEU Training is coming up on November 4 and a Commercial Applicator CEU Training is coming up on November 5. “USU Extension Carbon County Facebook page we have the dates posted there, so you can check those out. You can also go to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, they have their pesticide website and all of our online CEUs are also on their calendar. You can also call your local Extension Office and figure out what is coming up as well,” said Price. The USU Extension Office in Carbon County can be reached at (435) 636-3233 or visit their website at http://extension.usu.edu/carbon