2008 PRESS RELEASES
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November 5, 2008
INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING PARTICIPATION IN PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686
On October 8, 2008, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Virginia Pesticide Control Board recognized three individuals or teams for their outstanding participation in the 2007-2008 Pesticide Safety Education Program.
First Place
In recognition of an outstanding Worker Protection Standard training program, the 1st Place award was presented to a team consisting of Extension agents Brad Jarvis, Madison County; Steve Hopkins, Orange County; and Carl Stafford, Culpeper County; along with Marlene Larios from the Telamon Corporation for a program entitled “Worker Protection Standard Training for Agricultural Workers and Handlers.”
Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training provides farm workers with information that will ensure their health and safety while they use pesticides or work in pesticide-treated fields. Often this training occurs during short training sessions on the farm. One of the requirements of the WPS training program is that it be presented in a language that the workers can understand. In 2007, three Extension agents partnered with a non-profit agency to develop a WPS program for Spanish-speaking farm workers which combined classroom training in the morning with an educational tour of one of the local greenhouses during the afternoon. The program involved 29 employees from 6 separate agricultural establishments.
During the morning, presenters provided bilingual instruction in pesticide safety and posting requirements, toxicity and exposure, signs and symptoms of exposure and emergency aid and care. Small group discussions reviewed and discussed a pesticide label’s Personal Protective Equipment requirements. A demonstration using apples and fluorescent powder showed how workers and their families can be exposed to pesticides even when they can’t see them. After a barbeque lunch, the class was given a tour of a local greenhouse where workstations and demonstrations conducted by the greenhouse staff reinforced what workers had learned during the morning session and showed other aspects of the Worker Protection Standard. All the participants rated the program very good to excellent and pre- and post-testing on pesticide safety and handling showed 100% test score improvement.
Second Place
In recognition of their innovative efforts to help commercial and municipal applicators become more knowledgeable about pesticide safety and use, the 2nd Place award was given to five Extension agents and specialists for their program “Hampton Roads Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Series,” a two-part program that took place in June and December 2007. The team consisted of Susan French, Virginia Beach; Cyndi Wyskiewicz, Portsmouth; Lynnette Swanson, Norfolk; Mike Andruczyk, Chesapeake; and Laurie Fox, Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
Every year Extension agents are challenged with creating day-long commercial recertification programs which meet specific parameters yet are fresh and interesting. Part of that challenge is to take old topics and blend them with new to create a program that holds the attention of the audience. A group of four extension agents and a horticultural associate developed new training materials, recycled and updated an old presentation to include additional demonstrations, and used an interactive game to help the audience retain the information presented.
A pesticide quiz using rotating stations allowed attendees to move around, while a Jeopardy game encouraged interaction while covering topics like water quality and applicator safety. Presenters used multiple techniques throughout the day to ensure group interaction. Four programs were conducted which served 342 commercial and municipal pesticide applicators. Written evaluations showed that over 80 percent rated the hands-on activities as the most helpful part of the class, while the speakers rated a high 5 of 5.
Third Place
The 3rd Place award recognized Rex Cotton, Suffolk, for the high quality of training developed and provided to producers in the City of Suffolk area. Rex’s program, The City of Suffolk Private Applicator Meeting, took place on December 7, 2007. Recertification classes for private pesticide applicators are a key aspect of Virginia’s pesticide safety program and a significant responsibility for local Extension agents. Cotton prepared and conducted a recertification class for private applicators in his area which pulled experts from across the Commonwealth to deliver high quality presentations full of many valuable take-home messages. The diverse topics ranged from protecting pollinators from pesticides to “Best Management Practices and IPM (Integrated Pest Management) for Watermelon and Sweet Potato Production.” The program promoted compliance with all requirements for drift minimization, proper use of personal protective equipment, recordkeeping, and worker protection.
This was the tenth year for the recognition program. In addition to the Pesticide Safety Education Programs, the Pesticide Control Board recognized participants in Container Recycling and the Pesticide Disposal Program. Extension agents or district directors, Virginia Tech Pesticide Program personnel, or Office of Pesticide Services investigators interested in nominating someone for a 2008-2009 award should contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Office of Pesticide Services at 804.371.6558.