The University of Illinois Extension's La Salle County unit has planned pesticide safety education training and testing clinics at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at the Peru Eagles Club, 830 Harrison St., Peru, and 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Harding Community Center.

The Illinois Pesticide Safety Act requires individual farmers and others to become certified as private pesticide applicators in order to purchase and use "restricted use pesticides."

To become certified, individuals must pass a closed-book, 50-question exam given by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. In order to help in preparations, the Extension offers the clinics as well as a training manual and workbook.

The training portion of the program will last about three hours and then individuals will have the opportunity to complete the exam. Advanced registration and payment is required, and can be made by contacting the Extension office at 815-433-0707 or registering online at www.extension.uiuc.edu/lasalle.