In 2005 and 2006 the Florida Division of Forestry in cooperation with the University of Florida IFAS program developed a certification program for Florida Pile Burners. The first class was held in Bartow at the Bob Crawford Building in October of 2006. The second session was held at the same location in November of 2006. In 2009 the Florida Department of Agriculture amended the open burning rules and regulations to include the pile burner certification program. Florida Administrative Code (FAC) 5I-2 outlines the steps necessary to become certified and also what is necessary to keep that certification. The rule states that a pile burner maintains their certification if they can show that they have used their certified burn number at least 5 times in the previous five years.

February 22-25 and 28, 2011

BARTOW – More than 6,150 Polk County fourth graders will learn about the area’s major agriculture commodities at the 23rd annual Agri-fest. The final week of Polk County Agri-Fest starts this Tuesday.