Pesticide Education Program

Project Leader: Natalia Clifton

General Information

Pesticides are important tools for the management of pests that threaten the food supply, public health and natural resources. Unfortunately, these chemicals can also pose a threat to the human health and the environment if they are not used properly. Results from the Agricultural Health Study (www.aghealth.org) indicate that there continues to be a concern about the impacts of pesticide exposure on users of pesticides. Inexperienced applicators had more accidental exposures and those, who apply pesticides very frequently, increased their risk of having an accidental high exposure in their lifetime. The Farm Family Exposure Study (www.farmfamilyexposure.org) determined that higher pesticide exposures by farmers were associated with not wearing gloves, having pesticide application equipment problems, and using poor handling practices. In New England, growers have indicated that they are also concerned about the toxicity of pesticides. Sixty-six percent of growers participating in New England crop pest management surveys indicated that the toxicity of the pesticide was a "very important" factor when choosing pesticides on the farm. The only other factor that ranked higher than toxicity was the efficacy of the pesticide. In a survey of 215 New England sweet corn growers, 57% indicated that they "always" wore gloves and 27% "occasionally" wore gloves when mixing and/or applying pesticides. However, of those glove users 37% used inappropriate gloves made out of latex and/or cotton. A primary goal of the Pesticide Education team is to educate users of pesticides in the health risks associated with pesticide exposure as well as the proper use of personal protective equipment.

An educated workforce is cited as a driving component of the growth in many industries. Natural resource-based businesses in Massachusetts need to have a well-trained and knowledgeable workforce to insure the viability of their industries. Management of pests and pesticides are important skills for these workers. If pests are not managed properly there can be negative impacts on public health (mosquitoes, Eastern Equine Encephalitis), food production (insects, diseases, and weeds), biodiversity (invasive species), and structures (termite and carpenter ants). Integrated pest management techniques and the use of pesticides and their alternatives are tools that require training to use and/or implement. Training workshops and educational materials will be offered to growers and other users of pesticides to obtain the necessary knowledge to pass the state pesticide applicator license exams and thereby demonstrate competency to use pesticides.

In order to remain competitive and relevant, natural resource-based businesses need to continue to receive education on new pests and pest management strategies, environmental issues that effect their industry and updates of local and federal laws and regulations. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has passed laws and implemented many regulations that are intended to minimize pesticide exposure and impacts on the environment. The Act to Protect Children and Families form Harmful Pesticides requires the use of integrated pest management in schools, daycare facilities, and school-age childcare programs. The state has also implemented regulations that limit the uses of pesticides in sensitive areas such as, primary recharge areas of public drinking water supplies. With the introduction of new pest management strategies and the constant changing regulatory environment, both the federal and state governments require that pesticide applicators participate in ongoing approved training workshops and/or conferences in order to maintain competency to use pesticides. Training workshops will be offered throughout the state on a variety of topics including; Principles of Integrated Pest Management, Health Effects of Pesticides, Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment, Proper Storage and Transportation of Pesticides, Pesticide Laws and Regulations, Impacts of Pesticides on the Environment, Ways to reduce pesticide exposure, Biological Control, Public Health Issues, Pest Resistance and Pesticide Label Comprehension.

The federal Food Quality Protection Act requires that the Environmental Protection Agency reassess the pesticides that are allowed to be applied on food crops to insure that pesticide residues do not pose a risk to infants and children as well as occupational users. This has led to a reduction in the number of pest management tools that are available to food producers. The Pesticide Education team works with other New England States in the New England Pest Management Network to gather information on pest management and pesticide use for important crops and sites in New England. This research is necessary in order to identify and prioritize crop and pest management needs as well as key pest/pesticide registrations. In addition, these surveys have been useful in identifying the adoption of integrated pest management strategies. For example, 69% of the growers indicated that they conduct pest monitoring to determine pest management decisions. In 2008, the program with conduct a survey of New England Christmas growers, conduct a survey of schools and the use of integrated pest management, participate in the development of a New England Pepper Pest Management Strategic Plan and the development of a New England Raspberry Crop Profile. Additional crops that will be considered for these activities include pumpkins, cole crops, honey and maple syrup.

Activities

• New England School IPM Surveys
• Pesticide Applicator State Exam Preparatory Workshops and Pesticide Exam Study Manual Revisions: Develop and offer two-day workshops to help individuals prepare for the state pesticide license exams,
• Pesticide Recertification Training: Develop and offer recertification training workshops for individuals who have state pesticide licenses and/or certifications

Extension program related to this project: Agriculture & Landscape