Spring is just around the corner, we hope!

As the growing season approaches, producers and home gardeners are planning for a busy planting season.

For many, crop management includes the use of a variety of crop protection products that help to control weeds, insects, and diseases that reduce yields and diminish returns. The products used are an important part of the crop production process but what happens to leftover, outdated, and discontinued products?

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture offers a program called CHEMSWEEP to assist in the disposal of pesticide products. Offered in select counties on an annual basis, the program provides an opportunity to dispose of canceled, suspended or unwanted pesticide products. Growers of any agricultural commodity are eligible to participate along with commercial pesticide businesses and retired farmers. Butler County will be one of 18 counties designated for collection in 2008.

Many producers have unwanted or unused pesticides but because of the potential hazards, environmental liability, and health and safety issues, options for the safe disposal of these materials are often limited. The waste pesticides become a safety hazard when stored long term in barns, garages or other areas around the farm or home.

Participation in CHEMSWEEP provides a means for legally disposing of waste pesticide at no cost for up to 2,000 pounds of material.

To participate, producers and other individuals need to complete a registration and inventory form that is submitted to the PA Department of Agriculture. The deadline for registering for the program is Monday, March 31. Applications and additional information can be obtained by doing a search for CHEMSWEEP on PA Department of Agriculture's home page at www.agriculture.state.pa.us/. Applications also are available from the regional office of PDA at 724-443-1585 or from the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761.

After the applications have been received, the information will be verified and program participants will be contacted with instructions for delivering unwanted pesticides to a central collection site or the pesticides will be collected on-site by a hazardous waste disposal contractor.

Before the warm weather is here to stay, take the time to inventory your pesticide products and take advantage of a safe and legal opportunity to dispose of unwanted pesticides.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Home complex.