Project Plans FY09

Pesticide Education Program

Project Leader: Natalia Clifton

Participating Extension Staff and Faculty:

• Natalia Clifton
• Patricia Vittum

Project Year: 2009

Brief Description

Pesticides are vital tools for controlling pests and maintaining an adequate food supply.  If used improperly, pesticides can also threaten human health and the natural environment. Inexperienced applicators, accidents, inadequate protection and equipment continue to be areas of concern that increase the potential for negative personal and environmental impacts from pesticide exposure.

The Pesticide Education Project works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to educate pesticide users about safe application, state regulation and proper use of pesticides in Massachusetts. The UMass Extension Pesticide Education team is also part of a New England Pest Management Network that collaborates to gather information on pest management and pesticide use for important crops and sites throughout New England and to identify pest management needs and inform state regulations. This project helps natural resource-based businesses stay competitive and relevant through education on new pests and new pest management strategies, environmental issues that affect their industry, and continued notice of updates to local and federal laws and regulations.

Activities

• Pesticide applicator state exam preparatory workshops and pesticide exam study manual revisions
• Pesticide recertification training
• New England Christmas tree pest management survey

Inputs: Time and Effort

Outcomes:

This Project will document progress towards the following:

• Participants have the knowledge and skills to promote, implement or adopt sustainable resource management and environmental best management practices for operating Natural Resources-based businesses
• Participants will acquire the knowledge and skills to lower their risk from and exposure to pesticides and fertilizers
• Participants will increase knowledge and skills for practices that lower the risk from and exposure to pesticides and fertilizers

This project is a part of the Agriculture & Landscape program