August 28, 2008

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) is currently accepting applications for the 2009 Pesticide Notification Registry and Certified Organic Farm Registry.  These registries are published by the department each year to help protect consumers from pesticide drift and identify the location of organic certified farm locations.

The “Pesticide Notification Registry” allows a person with a physician-diagnosed condition to be notified prior to a pesticide application on turf or ornamental plants on property adjacent to the applicant.  To be added to the Pesticide Notification Registry, an applicant must submit a Pesticide Notification Registry Application, Physician’s Certification Form that indicates condition or illness and additional distance requirements for notification, and forms listing adjacent and other properties within the distance of notification.  Applications and supporting documents must be received no later than February 1, 2009. 

Renewal notices for the 73 Michigan residents that appeared on the 2008 notification registry will be mailed this fall.

Michigan’s “Certified Organic Farm Registry” compiles a list of state organic farms and is provided to all commercial firms licensed in agricultural, right-of-way, or aerial pesticide application.  The registry information is provided to these firms so they can identify organic farms and take the additional precautions necessary to prevent pesticide drift onto these sensitive sites.  MDA maintains a registry of individuals requesting notification prior to an ornamental or turf pesticide application adjacent to their primary residence.  The registry is published annually on March 15 and the deadline for submitting an application for the 2009 registry is February 1, 2009.

An application package for the Organic Farm Registry is available on the MDA Web site at www.michigan.gov/mda.  The forms can also be obtained from MDA’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, Michigan 48909 or by calling 517-241-1169.  There are no fees associated with either registry.