Tag Archive for: npsec news

NPSEC News – March 12th, 2019

 

NPSEC News – March 12th, 2019
NPSEC Speaks at 2019 Commodity Classic Tom Smith, NPSEC Executive Director, discusses Pollinator Stewardship and NPSEC’s mission to support extension Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs) at the Navigating a New Era in Pesticide Product Stewardship panel discussion. Tom Smith (middle) stands with Courtney Weatherbee (left), NPSEC’s Administrative Assistant and Kerry Richards (right), NPSEC’s Education Program Developer at Commodity Classic 2019. For more on the 2019 Commodity Classic click here. 

2019 NCF-Envirothon will take place at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina July 28 – August 2

You can read about the 2019 Current Issue: Agriculture and the Environment: Knowledge & Technology to Feed the World here. NPSEC is exploring opportunities to collaborate with the National Association of Conservation Districts and their Foundation who sponsors Envirothon Click here to view the 2019 Key Topic Resources
NPSEC has Dicamba Education available on npsec.us that can be used in training programs by PSEPs, subject to state approval. Click here to access the Dicamba education slide deck. 
EPA Launches Paraquat Training Announcement by Marianne A. Mannix, Office of Pesticide Programs for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The original announcement can be found here. 

Basic Information

Paraquat dichloride, commonly referred to as “paraquat,” is one of the most widely used herbicides registered in the United States. Paraquat is also often referred to as Gramoxone (a popular end-use product).

Paraquat is used to control weeds in many agricultural and non-agricultural use sites. It is also used as a defoliant on crops, like cotton, prior to harvest. Read more about paraquat training here.

TPSA Needs Members! Check out their NEW video – recruit a member today!

Announcement by Bonnie McCarvel, Operations Manager for The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance (TPSA). The original announcement can be found here.

The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance (TPSA) is a collaborative partnership of government agencies – federal, state and local, educational and research institutions, public organizations, private corporations and individuals actively involved in stewarding the pesticide life cycle. Founded in 2000, TPSA utilizes education, training, outreach and other activities to accomplish stewardship objectives in local, national and international arenas. Click here to view the full video!

Your help is needed to recruit members!  It’s simple to do:

  • Identify people you think should be a member.
  • Refer them to the TPSA home page  – and have them check out the new video (click above) to hear what members say about TPSA benefits!
  • Encourage them to fill out the application form that is just below the video and send it in.
  • Have them add your name to the comments box so we can give you credit for your efforts!!
  • With your help, TPSA’s membership should be able to grow to 200!
  • Top membership recruiter will be recognized at the 2020 TPSA Annual Conference.

Visit The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance Today!
NEW NPSEC STORE PRODUCTS!

The NPSEC Store is a good place to find EPA-approved materials with expanded 2015 WPS content. This is where you can order NPSEC, PERC, WPS, and state-specific products. For PERC products, PSEPs get a 10% discount if they purchase the products using the code we mailed you at checkout. We track all PERC sales by state and send 10% of all net sales in a particular state or territory back to the PSEP as a gift. 

Shop the NPSEC Store
PERC PRODUCTS
National Worker Protection Standard: A Manual for Trainers

Available in English and Spanish!

These EPA-approved manuals (English: EPA 730-B-16-001; Spanish: EPA 730-K-17-001)) begin with an introduction to pesticides and pesticide safety, including the federal pesticide regulations. They discusses each of the specific points that must be included in WPS training sessions and contains valuable information to help trainers prepare for and conduct pesticide safety training. Purchase Here
How to Comply With the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides This EPA-approved manual will help users of agricultural pesticides comply with the requirements of the 2015 revised federal Worker Protection Standard. You should read this manual if you employ agricultural  workers or handlers, are involved in the production of agricultural plants as an owner/manager of an agricultural establishment or a commercial (for-hire) pesticide handling establishment, or work as a crop advisor. Purchase Here
WPS Respiratory Protection Guide: Requirements for Employers of Pesticide Handlers Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, there are new requirements for pesticide handlers when pesticide labels require the use of a respirator. This 45-page guide includes step-by-step fit-testing procedures, respirator selection guidance, medical evaluation options, and some frequently asked questions.  Purchase Here
WPS Posters

Updated WPS Poster(s) for “Central Posting” areas and certain decontamination sites This poster(s) complies with the requirements in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides.

Posters come in Large (22×34.5in) and Small (11×17) with a English/Spanish front, and the option of English or Spanish back. All Posters have a gloss laminate finish for durability. Purchase Here
WPS Training Videos

These WPS training videos for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers apply to many sectors because they include footage and examples from orchards, forestry, nurseries, greenhouses, vineyards, and row crops.

Available in English and Spanish! Purchase Here
WPS Standard Handbook for Agricultural Employers

Can be purchased individually or in bundles of 2 and 10!

This handbook is formatted as a small booklet, half the size of a sheet of paper. We hope you’ll find it as useful as a handout when training and/or inspecting agricultural work under the WPS. Purchase Here 
Web-Based Training for Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers

Online training course!

This web-based course is EPA-approved, including 12 self-paced learning modules. The course provides the required information for trainers who will perform annual training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the U.S. EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS). It will guide you through the necessary procedures to provide effective training about pesticide safety topics. Purchase Here
 

NPSEC News – February 12th, 2019


 

NPSEC News – February 12th, 2019

NEWS FROM NPSEC

SERVICES NPSEC CAN PROVIDE ON A FEE FOR SERVICE OR COST RECOVERY BASIS

To support Extension Pesticide Safety Education Programs, NPSEC can provide a variety of services. These include:

  • Sale of pesticide exam training materials directly to stakeholders in your state.
  • Distribution of your for sale publications to stakeholders in your state or nationwide.
  • Development of interactive online course materials or upgrading of powerpoint presentations 
    • Examples
      • Idaho Private Applicator Training
      • New Hampshire Recertification Training Course
    • Notes
      • PSEP retains ownership of all materials created
      • Includes access to NPSEC videographers, instructional designers, and content available on Adobe Stock
      • This can be done from existing PowerPoints or created from scratch
      • Cost is based on how much assistance is needed for development, procuring, or producing media.
  • Web hosting of of existing or new online courses
    • Examples
      • New Hampshire Courses
      • Idaho Courses
  • Webpage Development
  • Video Production
  • PowerPoint design and enhancement with still photos, videos and simulations
  • Radio and digital ad production and outreach campaigns
  • Publication design, layout and printing services
  • Other Projects Upon Request

NPSEC Respirator Collaboration Team Producing Video Introduction to Respirators

The Upper Midwest Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (UMASH) reached out to NPSEC Respirator Collaboration Team member Natalie Hoidal (Minnesota PSEP) about making a promotional video about respirators. The goal is to create a short video to get the word out, and could be linked to more substantial resources and in-depth information. NPSEC will be collaborating with UMASH to produce this short video. Natalie has developed the script, and is getting feedback from other Respirator Collaboration Team members as part of the production process.

NPSEC INCREASES DISCOUNT & REVENUE SHARING TO PSEPs FROM PRODUCT SALES

Based on the recommendation of the NPSEC Finance Committee, the NPSEC Board of Directors has approved increasing the discount from 5% to 10% for PERC and AFOP products, and the Rutgers Respirator Protection manual sold at the NPSEC Store, when ordered directly by PSEPs. In addition, the revenue share sent back to PSEPs as program gifts from the state sales of these products will also increase from 5% to 10%.

These increased benefits to PSEPs are effective as of January 1st 2019. Pesticide safety products are sold by NPSEC at www.npsecstore.com as part of NPSEC’s mission to serve and support extension pesticide safety education programs (PSEPs) in every state and US territory. For more information about the NPSEC Store and these benefits to PSEPs, or to receive additional discounts for bulk orders, contact Courtney Weatherbee at cweatherbee@npsec.us.

List of Acronyms:

AFOP – Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs

NPSEC – National Pesticide Safety Education Center

PERC – Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative

PSEP – Pesticide Safety Education Program

NPSEC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS NOW AVAILABLE

If you have questions about NPSEC, we invite you to read our FAQs here. If you have any questions, please contact Tom Smith at tomsmith@npsec.us

REMINDER: NPSEC OFFERS PSEP-ONLY EMAIL DISTRIBUTION LIST

NPSEC created an email distribution list for PSEP Coordinators and their selected staff. To maintain the integrity of this PSEP-only distribution list, please contact Aaron Weibe at aaronweibe@npsec.us if you have any questions or would like to add any Extension Pesticide Safety Education staff to the list.

NEWS RELEASES

Microscopy research shows workings of a major honeybee pest

Research by scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of Maryland released today sheds new light – and reverses decades of scientific dogma – regarding a honeybee pest (Varroa destructor) that is considered the greatest single driver of the global honeybee colony losses. Managed honeybee colonies add at least $15 billion to the value of U.S. agriculture each year through increased yields and superior quality harvests.

The microscopy images are part of a major study showing that the Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) feeds on the honeybee’s fat body tissue (an organ similar to the human liver) rather than on its “blood,” (or hemolymph). This discovery holds broad implications for controlling the pest in honeybee colonies.

Read more here. 

Monarch butterfly population slowly increasing

Monarch butterflies from east of the Rocky Mountains received a reprieve on Wednesday as a recent survey count showed their population increased by more than 144 percent, a dramatic increase from previous years.

News of the uptick arrived shortly after it was reported that the western population of the monarch butterfly had dropped to an all-time low.

Since the 1990s, populations of the iconic orange and black butterfly have been on a downward spiral mainly due to habitat destruction and commercial use of pesticides, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

The butterflies migrate to warmer climates during the winter months and most North American monarchs make their way to Oyamel fir forests on 12 mountaintops in central Mexico, according to researchers…

Read more here.

February’s National Pesticide Safety Education Month Highlights Nationwide Efforts to Promote Safe Pesticide Use

The second annual National Pesticide Safety Education Month gets underway February 1st, to reinforce core principles of safe handling and use and to raise awareness of and support for the land-grant university Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs).

The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), American Phytopathological Society (APS) and Entomological Society of America (ESA) are among the many organizations promoting safe handling and use of pesticides and the important role of PSEPs. Pesticide safety is a must, whether the applicator is an unlicensed homeowner or certified in one or more of the federal or state categories of use.

Read more here.

PERC & RUTGERS PRODUCTS ON THE NPSEC STORE!

The NPSEC Store is a good place to find EPA-approved materials with expanded 2015 WPS content. This is where you can order NPSEC, PERC, WPS, and state-specific products. For PERC products, PSEPs get a 5% discount if they purchase the products using the code we mailed you at checkout. We track all PERC sales by state and send 5% of all net sales in a particular state or territory back to the PSEP as a gift.

Additionally, the Rutgers E358 Respiratory Guides can also be found on the NPSEC Store.

Shop the NPSEC Store

RUTGERS E358 RESPIRATORY GUIDES

This document provides practical information for proper use of respirators by occupational users of pesticides. It also outlines regulatory requirements of EPA and OSHA that apply to commercial users and also agricultural operations that use pesticides. Its purpose is to describe types of respirators, their limitations, use, care, and maintenance.

Purchase Here.

PERC PRODUCTS

National Worker Protection Standard: A Manual for Trainers

Available in English and Spanish!

These EPA-approved manuals (English: EPA 730-B-16-001; Spanish: EPA 730-K-17-001)) begin with an introduction to pesticides and pesticide safety, including the federal pesticide regulations. They discusses each of the specific points that must be included in WPS training sessions and contains valuable information to help trainers prepare for and conduct pesticide safety training.

Purchase Here

How to Comply With the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides

This EPA-approved manual will help users of agricultural pesticides comply with the requirements of the 2015 revised federal Worker Protection Standard. You should read this manual if you employ agricultural  workers or handlers, are involved in the production of agricultural plants as an owner/manager of an agricultural establishment or a commercial (for-hire) pesticide handling establishment, or work as a crop advisor.

Purchase Here

WPS Respiratory Protection Guide: Requirements for Employers of Pesticide Handlers

Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, there are new requirements for pesticide handlers when pesticide labels require the use of a respirator. This 45-page guide includes step-by-step fit-testing procedures, respirator selection guidance, medical evaluation options, and some frequently asked questions. 

Purchase Here

WPS Posters

Updated WPS Poster(s) for “Central Posting” areas and certain decontamination sites
This poster(s) complies with the requirements in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides.

Posters come in Large (22×34.5in) and Small (11×17) with a English/Spanish front, and the option of English or Spanish back. All Posters have a gloss laminate finish for durability.

Purchase Here

WPS Training Videos

These WPS training videos for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers apply to many sectors because they include footage and examples from orchards, forestry, nurseries, greenhouses, vineyards, and row crops.

Available in English and Spanish!

Purchase Here

WPS Standard Handbook for Agricultural Employers

Can be purchased individually or in bundles of 2 and 10!

This handbook is formatted as a small booklet, half the size of a sheet of paper. We hope you’ll find it as useful as a handout when training and/or inspecting agricultural work under the WPS.

Purchase Here 

Web-Based Training for Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers

Online training course!

This web-based course is EPA-approved, including 12 self-paced learning modules. The course provides the required information for trainers who will perform annual training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the U.S. EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS). It will guide you through the necessary procedures to provide effective training about pesticide safety topics.

Purchase Here

 

NPSEC News – January 23rd, 2019


 

NPSEC News – January 23rd, 2019

NEWS FROM NPSEC

NPSEC INCREASES DISCOUNT & REVENUE SHARING TO PSEPs FROM PRODUCT SALES

Based on the recommendation of the NPSEC Finance Committee, the NPSEC Board of Directors has approved increasing the discount from 5% to 10% for PERC and AFOP products, and the Rutgers Respirator Protection manual sold at the NPSEC Store, when ordered directly by PSEPs. In addition, the revenue share sent back to PSEPs as program gifts from the state sales of these products will also increase from 5% to 10%.

These increased benefits to PSEPs are effective as of January 1st 2019. Pesticide safety products are sold by NPSEC at www.npsecstore.com as part of NPSEC’s mission to serve and support extension pesticide safety education programs (PSEPs) in every state and US territory. For more information about the NPSEC Store and these benefits to PSEPs, or to receive additional discounts for bulk orders, contact Courtney Weatherbee at cweatherbee@npsec.us.

List of Acronyms:

AFOP – Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs

NPSEC – National Pesticide Safety Education Center

PERC – Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative

PSEP – Pesticide Safety Education Program

NPSEC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS NOW AVAILABLE

If you have questions about NPSEC, we invite you to read our FAQs here. If you have any questions, please contact Tom Smith at tomsmith@npsec.us

NPSEC OFFERS ACCESS TO ADOBE STOCK IMAGES AND VIDEOS TO PSEPs

As NPSEC continues to serve and support PSEPs in every state and territory, we have listened to our PSEP coordinators needs for quality images and videos to include with their own courses, communications, and content. NPSEC invites PSEPs to utilize Adobe Stock (stock.adobe.com) to search for any images or videos needed for use within PSEP programs, and go to our Adobe Stock Request Form at npsec.us/stock to request the content. 

You will need to provide links to the images or videos you are requesting from Adobe Stock. Any questions? Please contact Aaron Weibe at aaronweibe@npsec.us

UPPER MIDWEST AGRICULTURAL SAFETY & HEALTH CENTER (UMASH) WEBINAR

UMASH is hosting a webinar on Friday, January 25th, 2019 titled You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup – How Do You Fill It Up to Support Yourself and Others. The webinar will be from 1 PM – 2:30 PM EST.

In this session, Shauna Reitmeier and Brenda Mack will share how stress, when not addressed, can deplete farming and ranching women’s energy and their ability to effectively keep up with their responsibilities. Participants will learn ways to manage stress and come up with ways to prioritize to keep energy high and meet many demands. Learn more and register here.  

NPSEC SET TO LAUNCH NEW ‘OUR FOOD’ PODCAST

NPSEC will launch a weekly “Our Food” podcast on a channel hosted, managed and distributed by Cumulus Media NY. This Podcast Channel will be housed in Cumulus’ OG Podcast Network. The network currently distributes a variety of Podcast content but NPSEC’s would be the first in this content vertical. NPSEC would exclusively own the category. The current OG Podcast platform delivers well over 500,000 monthly downloads. ‘Our Food’ will be a broad and rather generic overview of the US. food system. This will attract a large audience and pollinator stewardship can be embedded frequently in these discussions. This broader concept would attract a large enough following to be effective and marketable to advertisers and sponsors.

REMINDER: NPSEC OFFERS PSEP-ONLY DISTRIBUTION LIST

A few weeks ago, NPSEC created a distribution list for PSEP Coordinators and their selected staff. To maintain the integrity of this PSEP-only distribution list, please contact Aaron Weibe at aaronweibe@npsec.us if you have any questions or would like to add any Extension Pesticide Safety Education staff to the list. 

NEWS RELEASES

Varroa Mite Research Points to Impact on Honeybee Health

Varroa mites may be mighty small – about the size of the head of a pin – but the parasites are a primary cause of colony collapse disorder, a large problem for honeybee populations worldwide. A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences debunks the long-held belief that the mites feed on “bee blood” – AKA hemolymph. Read more here. 

Inversion & Drift Mitigation Workshop Presented by the Ohio State University Extension IPM Program

The workshop was held on Dec. 14, 2018, and focused on weather conditions that could signal an inversion and a demonstration of the tools and information available in FieldWatch, a communication tool for sensitive crop farmers and pesticide applicators. Recordings from the talks are available here.  

The workshop is divided into two recordings that feature:

Aaron Wilson, OSU Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, discussing weather conditions that could signal an inversion.

Jared Shaffer, Ohio Department of Agriculture, discusses the FieldWatch sensitive crop registry and includes a demonstration of signing up for the registry and identifying fields, crops, and beehives.

Please click here to access the workshop.

PERC & RUTGERS PRODUCTS ON THE NPSEC STORE!

The NPSEC Store is a good place to find EPA-approved materials with expanded 2015 WPS content. This is where you can order NPSEC, PERC, WPS, and state-specific products. For PERC products, PSEPs get a 5% discount if they purchase the products using the code we mailed you at checkout. We track all PERC sales by state and send 5% of all net sales in a particular state or territory back to the PSEP as a gift.

Additionally, the Rutgers E358 Respiratory Guides can also be found on the NPSEC Store.

Shop the NPSEC Store

RUTGERS E358 RESPIRATORY GUIDES

This document provides practical information for proper use of respirators by occupational users of pesticides. It also outlines regulatory requirements of EPA and OSHA that apply to commercial users and also agricultural operations that use pesticides. Its purpose is to describe types of respirators, their limitations, use, care, and maintenance.

Purchase Here.

PERC PRODUCTS

National Worker Protection Standard: A Manual for Trainers

Available in English and Spanish!

These EPA-approved manuals (English: EPA 730-B-16-001; Spanish: EPA 730-K-17-001)) begin with an introduction to pesticides and pesticide safety, including the federal pesticide regulations. They discusses each of the specific points that must be included in WPS training sessions and contains valuable information to help trainers prepare for and conduct pesticide safety training.

Purchase Here

How to Comply With the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides

This EPA-approved manual will help users of agricultural pesticides comply with the requirements of the 2015 revised federal Worker Protection Standard. You should read this manual if you employ agricultural  workers or handlers, are involved in the production of agricultural plants as an owner/manager of an agricultural establishment or a commercial (for-hire) pesticide handling establishment, or work as a crop advisor.

Purchase Here

WPS Respiratory Protection Guide: Requirements for Employers of Pesticide Handlers

Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, there are new requirements for pesticide handlers when pesticide labels require the use of a respirator. This 45-page guide includes step-by-step fit-testing procedures, respirator selection guidance, medical evaluation options, and some frequently asked questions. 

Purchase Here

WPS Posters

Updated WPS Poster(s) for “Central Posting” areas and certain decontamination sites
This poster(s) complies with the requirements in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides.

Posters come in Large (22×34.5in) and Small (11×17) with a English/Spanish front, and the option of English or Spanish back. All Posters have a gloss laminate finish for durability.

Purchase Here

WPS Training Videos

These WPS training videos for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers apply to many sectors because they include footage and examples from orchards, forestry, nurseries, greenhouses, vineyards, and row crops.

Available in English and Spanish!

Purchase Here

WPS Standard Handbook for Agricultural Employers

Can be purchased individually or in bundles of 2 and 10!

This handbook is formatted as a small booklet, half the size of a sheet of paper. We hope you’ll find it as useful as a handout when training and/or inspecting agricultural work under the WPS.

Purchase Here 

Web-Based Training for Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers

Online training course!

This web-based course is EPA-approved, including 12 self-paced learning modules. The course provides the required information for trainers who will perform annual training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the U.S. EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS). It will guide you through the necessary procedures to provide effective training about pesticide safety topics.

Purchase Here

 

NPSEC News – December 21st, 2018


 

NPSEC News – December 21st, 2018

The National Pesticide Safety Education Center would like to wish you and your families a wonderful and safe holiday season. We look forward to working with you in the New Year. 

NEW FROM NPSEC

NPSEC SET TO LAUNCH NEW ‘OUR FOOD’ PODCAST

NPSEC will launch a weekly “Our Food” podcast on a channel hosted, managed and distributed by Cumulus Media NY. This Podcast Channel will be housed in Cumulus’ OG Podcast Network. The network currently distributes a variety of Podcast content but NPSEC’s would be the first in this content vertical. NPSEC would exclusively own the category. The current OG Podcast platform delivers well over 500,000 monthly downloads. ‘Our Food’ will be a broad and rather generic overview of the US. food system. This will attract a large audience and pollinator stewardship can be embedded frequently in these discussions. This broader concept would attract a large enough following to be effective and marketable to advertisers and sponsors. 

The draft description of the ‘Our Food’ Podcast concept:

‘Our Food’: Conversations across our country with those who produce our food – the farmers, farmworkers, greenhouse growers and those who process the agricultural products that feed our country, and also produce enough to make the US the largest exporter of food in the world. We’ll also talk to those who regulate our food production at the federal and state levels, and to the educators who work hand in hand with regulators and producers to ensure that we have a safe and reliable food system. And finally, we’ll explore what we do around our homes and businesses, in our gardens and landscapes, which can impact our food system, such as ways to protect pollinators.

‘Our Food’ is hosted by Tom Smith, Executive Director of the National Pesticide Safety Education Center (NPSEC). NPSEC is a non-profit corporation that serves and supports the extension Pesticide Safety Education Programs in all states and US territories. These programs are typically part of land grant universities and provide the coordination and much of the delivery of education to agricultural producers for the safe and effective use of crop and livestock protection products. The target audiences for ‘Our Food’ are production agriculture, turf and ornamental groups, consumers, and educators/regulator, and will be supported by all other messaging channels to cross market, target, and drive traffic among all messaging channels.

NPSEC OFFERS PSEP-ONLY DISTRIBUTION LIST

A few weeks ago, NPSEC created a distribution list for PSEP Coordinators and their selected staff. To maintain the integrity of this PSEP-only distribution list, please contact Aaron Weibe at aaronweibe@npsec.us if you have any questions or would like to add any Extension Pesticide Safety Education staff to the list. 

NEWS RELEASES

USDA Releases 2017 Annual Pesticide Data Program Summary, U.S. Food Supply is Among the Safest in the World

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today published the 2017 Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Annual Summary. The Summary shows more than 99 percent of the samples tested had pesticide residues well below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Read more here. 

Special Collection: Pesticide Exposure in Non-Honey Bees

Bees are essential pollinators of a variety of plants, including many used for human food. In recent years, there have been declines in bee populations due to a variety of factors. One of those factors is pesticides.

While honey bees (genus Apis) tend to get a lot of attention in the media and research, non-honey bees are also important pollinators and could face similar threats from pesticides as honey bees do. However, not as much is known about how pesticides affect non-Apis bees, such as bumble bees, solitary bees, and stingless bees.

Read More from Oxford Academic here. 

PERC & RUTGERS PRODUCTS ON THE NPSEC STORE!

The NPSEC Store is a good place to find EPA-approved materials with expanded 2015 WPS content. This is where you can order NPSEC, PERC, WPS, and state-specific products. For PERC products, PSEPs get a 5% discount if they purchase the products using the code we mailed you at checkout. We track all PERC sales by state and send 5% of all net sales in a particular state or territory back to the PSEP as a gift.

Additionally, the Rutgers E358 Respiratory Guides can also be found on the NPSEC Store.

Shop the NPSEC Store

RUTGERS E358 RESPIRATORY GUIDES

This document provides practical information for proper use of respirators by occupational users of pesticides. It also outlines regulatory requirements of EPA and OSHA that apply to commercial users and also agricultural operations that use pesticides. Its purpose is to describe types of respirators, their limitations, use, care, and maintenance.

Purchase Here.

PERC PRODUCTS

National Worker Protection Standard: A Manual for Trainers

Available in English and Spanish!

These EPA-approved manuals (English: EPA 730-B-16-001; Spanish: EPA 730-K-17-001)) begin with an introduction to pesticides and pesticide safety, including the federal pesticide regulations. They discusses each of the specific points that must be included in WPS training sessions and contains valuable information to help trainers prepare for and conduct pesticide safety training.

Purchase Here

How to Comply With the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides

This EPA-approved manual will help users of agricultural pesticides comply with the requirements of the 2015 revised federal Worker Protection Standard. You should read this manual if you employ agricultural  workers or handlers, are involved in the production of agricultural plants as an owner/manager of an agricultural establishment or a commercial (for-hire) pesticide handling establishment, or work as a crop advisor.

Purchase Here

WPS Respiratory Protection Guide: Requirements for Employers of Pesticide Handlers

Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, there are new requirements for pesticide handlers when pesticide labels require the use of a respirator. This 45-page guide includes step-by-step fit-testing procedures, respirator selection guidance, medical evaluation options, and some frequently asked questions. 

Purchase Here

WPS Posters

Updated WPS Poster(s) for “Central Posting” areas and certain decontamination sites
This poster(s) complies with the requirements in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides.

Posters come in Large (22×34.5in) and Small (11×17) with a English/Spanish front, and the option of English or Spanish back. All Posters have a gloss laminate finish for durability.

Purchase Here

WPS Training Videos

These WPS training videos for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers apply to many sectors because they include footage and examples from orchards, forestry, nurseries, greenhouses, vineyards, and row crops.

Available in English and Spanish!

Purchase Here

WPS Standard Handbook for Agricultural Employers

Can be purchased individually or in bundles of 2 and 10!

This handbook is formatted as a small booklet, half the size of a sheet of paper. We hope you’ll find it as useful as a handout when training and/or inspecting agricultural work under the WPS.

Purchase Here 

Web-Based Training for Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers

Online training course!

This web-based course is EPA-approved, including 12 self-paced learning modules. The course provides the required information for trainers who will perform annual training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the U.S. EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS). It will guide you through the necessary procedures to provide effective training about pesticide safety topics.

Purchase Here

 

NPSEC News – November 30th, 2018


 

NPSEC News – November 30th, 2018

FEATURED VIDEO

 
Esther Medrano, Hawaii Department of Agriculture, shares her experience at the 2018 National Pesticide Applicator Certification and Safety Education Workshop in San Antonio

PSEFMP Reminder

Just a reminder that applications for the Pesticide Safety Education Funds Management Program are due on December 1st at 8 PM EST. 

Final round of reviews: December 10, 2018
Subaward notifications: December 21, 2018
Funds distributed by: January 15, 2019

If you have any questions or concerns, please send an email to psefmp-helpdesk@extension.org.

NEWS RELEASES

NPSEC Partners with the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP)

NPSEC is pleased to announce AFOP as its newest partner for store products. AFOP produces a variety of products on farm worker safety including a new WPS Flip Chart. More information will be available shortly on our website.

Applications being accepted for the 2018 President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA)

Applications are now being accepted for the 2018 President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA).

The PEYA program recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects by K-12 youth, promoting awareness of our nation’s natural resources and encouraging positive community involvement. The PEYA program celebrates student leadership in service projects to protect the environment and keep our global community healthy. Winners of this year’s awards will be invited to a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in mid-2019, and have their project mentioned on EPA’s website.

Read more here. 

From MSU Today: GMOs 101

An online search for “GMO” returns more than 88 million results — a tangled mess of frightening images, dense data, skepticism, insulting comments and conflicting claims and counterclaims. For the average consumer, separating reputable sources from propaganda is tough, if not impossible.

What is a genetically modified organism, or GMO?

Even the answer to the question can be controversial.

At its most basic, genetic modification is the process by which changes occur in an organism’s genome. Nature is perpetually modifying the genetics of every organism in an effort to help the organism adapt to its changing environment.

“It’s important to understand that all organisms — not just those that are the basis of foods — are genetically modified in some way, shape or form,” says Brad Day, a professor and associate department chair for research in Michigan State University’s Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. “They are genetically modified by persisting in the environment. Radiation from the sun can induce changes in the genome, for example…”

Read the full article from MSU here

Great Lakes EXPO will include free medical evaluation service for using respirators

This article is by Ben Phillips and Craig Anderson, Michigan State University. 

The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation designed to protect farm workers from dangerous exposure to pesticides. A recent update in 2015 has aligned the WPS with most of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provisions for using respirators. The revised WPS includes specific requirements for the use of respirators when using pesticide products under the Agricultural Use Requirements that requires the use of a respirator.

This revision requires all those who mix, load and apply pesticides (including self-employed pesticide handlers) to have a medical evaluation, and annual fit-tests for each type of respirator required by the pesticide product label and annual training regarding the proper use of each respirator to be used by the handler. The medical evaluation must occur before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace.

Read more here

PERC PRODUCTS ON THE NPSEC STORE!

The NPSEC Store is a good place to find EPA-approved materials with expanded 2015 WPS content. This is where you can order NPSEC, PERC, WPS, and state-specific products. For PERC products, PSEPs get a 5% discount if they purchase the products using the code we mailed you at checkout. We track all PERC sales by state and send 5% of all net sales in a particular state or territory back to the PSEP as a gift. 

Shop the NPSEC Store

PERC PRODUCTS

National Worker Protection Standard: A Manual for Trainers

Available in English and Spanish!

These EPA-approved manuals (English: EPA 730-B-16-001; Spanish: EPA 730-K-17-001)) begin with an introduction to pesticides and pesticide safety, including the federal pesticide regulations. They discusses each of the specific points that must be included in WPS training sessions and contains valuable information to help trainers prepare for and conduct pesticide safety training.

Purchase Here

How to Comply With the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides

This EPA-approved manual will help users of agricultural pesticides comply with the requirements of the 2015 revised federal Worker Protection Standard. You should read this manual if you employ agricultural  workers or handlers, are involved in the production of agricultural plants as an owner/manager of an agricultural establishment or a commercial (for-hire) pesticide handling establishment, or work as a crop advisor.

Purchase Here

WPS Respiratory Protection Guide: Requirements for Employers of Pesticide Handlers

Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, there are new requirements for pesticide handlers when pesticide labels require the use of a respirator. This 45-page guide includes step-by-step fit-testing procedures, respirator selection guidance, medical evaluation options, and some frequently asked questions. 

Purchase Here

WPS Posters

Updated WPS Poster(s) for “Central Posting” areas and certain decontamination sites
This poster(s) complies with the requirements in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides.

Posters come in Large (22×34.5in) and Small (11×17) with a English/Spanish front, and the option of English or Spanish back. All Posters have a gloss laminate finish for durability.

Purchase Here

WPS Training Videos

These WPS training videos for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers apply to many sectors because they include footage and examples from orchards, forestry, nurseries, greenhouses, vineyards, and row crops.

Available in English and Spanish!

Purchase Here

WPS Standard Handbook for Agricultural Employers

Can be purchased individually or in bundles of 2 and 10!

This handbook is formatted as a small booklet, half the size of a sheet of paper. We hope you’ll find it as useful as a handout when training and/or inspecting agricultural work under the WPS.

Purchase Here 

Web-Based Training for Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers

Online training course!

This web-based course is EPA-approved, including 12 self-paced learning modules. The course provides the required information for trainers who will perform annual training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the U.S. EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS). It will guide you through the necessary procedures to provide effective training about pesticide safety topics.

Purchase Here

 

NPSEC News – November 14th, 2018

 

 

NPSEC News – November 14th, 2018

NEWS RELEASES

PERC Products through the NPSEC Store benefit Pesticide Safety Education Programs

From Mike Wierda, PSEP Director at Utah State University and NPSEC Treasurer.

This is a reminder of how PERC product sales through the NPSEC Store can benefit your PSEP:

  1. PSEP Discount: receive a 5% discount on any PERC products you purchase!
    1. NPSEC provides a special discount code for PSEPs to use at checkout.
    2. Contact NPSEC for a greater discount on bulk orders
  2. Revenue Sharing: 5% of PERC products sold via the NPSEC Store in your state is returned to your PSEP via Revenue Sharing Checks!

Read the full article here. 

EPA Announces Changes to Dicamba Registration

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is extending the registration of dicamba for two years for “over-the-top” use (application to growing plants) to control weeds in fields for cotton and soybean plants genetically engineered to resist dicamba. This action was informed by input from and extensive collaboration between EPA, state regulators, farmers, academic researchers, pesticide manufacturers, and other stakeholders.

Read more here. 

Lorsban should be available for 2019 use, MSU finds

Chlorpyrifos – sold under the trade name Lorsban – should be legal to use in fruits and vegetables for 2019. This insecticide is the main or only option for controlling key pests in crops including apples, asparagus, cabbage, cherries, transplanted onions, peaches, radishes, rutabagas, and turnips. Growers have expressed concern given a recent ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that, if it stands, will require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to begin a Federal Insecticide Fungicide Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) process to revoke all label uses of this product.

Read more from Vegetable Growers News here. 

Great Lakes EXPO will include free medical evaluation service for using respirators

This article is by Ben Phillips and Craig Anderson, Michigan State University.

The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation designed to protect farm workers from dangerous exposure to pesticides. A recent update in 2015 has aligned the WPS with most of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provisions for using respirators. The revised WPS includes specific requirements for the use of respirators when using pesticide products under the Agricultural Use Requirements that requires the use of a respirator. This revision requires all those who mix, load and apply pesticides (including self-employed pesticide handlers) to have a medical evaluation, and annual fit-tests for each type of respirator required by the pesticide product label and annual training regarding the proper use of each respirator to be used by the handler. The medical evaluation must occur before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace.

Read more here. 

News Release on updated USDA IPM Roadmap to guide adoption of IPM

The original press release comes from the USDA. You can find a copy of that full release and contact information here. 

Key Section from Page 3 of Attachment:

IPM FOCUS AREAS

A primary goal of the National IPM Road Map is to increase adoption and efficiency of effective, economical and safe pest management practices through information exchange and coordination among federal and non-federal researchers, educators, technology innovators and IPM practitioners, including pesticide applicators and other service providers. Pesticide safety education that teaches pesticide applicators sound safety and stewardship practices in the safe and efficacious use of pesticides is an important component of IPM programming across focus areas…

A copy of the release is also available on the NPSEC site here.

NEW NPSEC STORE PRODUCTS!

The NPSEC Store is a good place to find EPA-approved materials with expanded 2015 WPS content. This is where you can order NPSEC, PERC, WPS, and state-specific products. For PERC products, PSEPs get a 5% discount if they purchase the products using the code we mailed you at checkout. We track all PERC sales by state and send 5% of all net sales in a particular state or territory back to the PSEP as a gift. 

Shop the NPSEC Store

PERC PRODUCTS

National Worker Protection Standard: A Manual for Trainers

Available in English and Spanish!

These EPA-approved manuals (English: EPA 730-B-16-001; Spanish: EPA 730-K-17-001)) begin with an introduction to pesticides and pesticide safety, including the federal pesticide regulations. They discusses each of the specific points that must be included in WPS training sessions and contains valuable information to help trainers prepare for and conduct pesticide safety training.

Purchase Here

How to Comply With the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides

This EPA-approved manual will help users of agricultural pesticides comply with the requirements of the 2015 revised federal Worker Protection Standard. You should read this manual if you employ agricultural  workers or handlers, are involved in the production of agricultural plants as an owner/manager of an agricultural establishment or a commercial (for-hire) pesticide handling establishment, or work as a crop advisor.

Purchase Here

WPS Respiratory Protection Guide: Requirements for Employers of Pesticide Handlers

Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, there are new requirements for pesticide handlers when pesticide labels require the use of a respirator. This 45-page guide includes step-by-step fit-testing procedures, respirator selection guidance, medical evaluation options, and some frequently asked questions. 

Purchase Here

WPS Posters

Updated WPS Poster(s) for “Central Posting” areas and certain decontamination sites
This poster(s) complies with the requirements in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides.

Posters come in Large (22×34.5in) and Small (11×17) with a English/Spanish front, and the option of English or Spanish back. All Posters have a gloss laminate finish for durability.

Purchase Here

WPS Training Videos

These WPS training videos for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers apply to many sectors because they include footage and examples from orchards, forestry, nurseries, greenhouses, vineyards, and row crops.

Available in English and Spanish!

Purchase Here

WPS Standard Handbook for Agricultural Employers

Can be purchased individually or in bundles of 2 and 10!

This handbook is formatted as a small booklet, half the size of a sheet of paper. We hope you’ll find it as useful as a handout when training and/or inspecting agricultural work under the WPS.

Purchase Here 

Web-Based Training for Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers

Online training course!

This web-based course is EPA-approved, including 12 self-paced learning modules. The course provides the required information for trainers who will perform annual training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the U.S. EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS). It will guide you through the necessary procedures to provide effective training about pesticide safety topics.

Purchase Here

 

NPSEC News – October 26th, 2018


 

NPSEC News – October 26th, 2018

Communication Tools for PSEPS

Earlier this week, PSEP Coordinators were provided with two tools for communication between PSEP programs only. If you are a PSEP coordinator and you did not receive this information, please contact Aaron Weibe at aaronweibe@npsec.us 

We recognize that every PSEP Program is unique. If you are PSEP Coordinator and you would like to have other Extension Pesticide Safety Education professionals within your organization that you feel would benefit from being included in these tools, please let us know. 

NPSEC Takes Home Most Fundable Project Award at eXtension’s Impact Collaborative Summit

Indianapolis, IN. A NPSEC team comprised of staff and PSEP coordinators that are members of the Respirator Collaboration Team participated in eXtension’s Impact Collaborative Summit in Indianapolis from October 16th – 18th. The purpose of the Summit was for institutional and national Extension teams to bring projects and programs from various topic areas to find new and innovative ways to move their projects and programs forward with the help of the Impact Collaborative Innovation process, Key Informants, and partner/supporting organizations. 32 teams representing 40 institutions attended. 

Working from where they left off at the 2018 National Pesticide Applicator Certification and Safety Education Workshop in San Antonio this past August, the NPSEC Team focused on finding innovative ways to get Collaboration Teams off the ground. The three-day event culminated in a PitchFest, where the team presented their project idea to eXtension and Cooperative Extension leaders, along with external partner and supporting organizations.

As a result of the PitchFest, the NPSEC team won an award in the Most Fundable Project or Program category that has earned the team recognition and a strategic partnership with the eXtension Partner Development Team. The goal is to raise $20,000 for each of NPSEC’s five identified collaboration teams.  

The NPSEC team was comprised of the following individuals:

Candace Bartholomew, University of Connecticut
Mike Wierda, Utah State University
Kerry Richards, University of Delaware
Courtney Weatherbee, Michigan State University
Dean Herzfeld, University of Minnesota
Wayne Buhler, North Carolina State University

News Release on updated USDA IPM Roadmap to guide adoption of IPM

The original press release comes from the USDA. You can find a copy of that full release and contact information here. 

Key Section from Page 3 of Attachment:

IPM FOCUS AREAS

A primary goal of the National IPM Road Map is to increase adoption and efficiency of effective, economical and safe pest management practices through information exchange and coordination among federal and non-federal researchers, educators, technology innovators and IPM practitioners, including pesticide applicators and other service providers. Pesticide safety education that teaches pesticide applicators sound safety and stewardship practices in the safe and efficacious use of pesticides is an important component of IPM programming across focus areas…

A copy of the release is also available on the NPSEC site here.

NEW NPSEC STORE PRODUCTS!

The NPSEC Store is a good place to find EPA-approved materials with expanded 2015 WPS content. This is where you can order NPSEC, PERC, WPS, and state-specific products. For PERC products, PSEPs get a 5% discount if they purchase the products using the code we mailed you at checkout. We track all PERC sales by state and send 5% of all net sales in a particular state or territory back to the PSEP as a gift. 

Shop the NPSEC Store

PERC PRODUCTS

National Worker Protection Standard: A Manual for Trainers

Available in English and Spanish!

These EPA-approved manuals (English: EPA 730-B-16-001; Spanish: EPA 730-K-17-001)) begin with an introduction to pesticides and pesticide safety, including the federal pesticide regulations. They discusses each of the specific points that must be included in WPS training sessions and contains valuable information to help trainers prepare for and conduct pesticide safety training.

Purchase Here

How to Comply With the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides

This EPA-approved manual will help users of agricultural pesticides comply with the requirements of the 2015 revised federal Worker Protection Standard. You should read this manual if you employ agricultural  workers or handlers, are involved in the production of agricultural plants as an owner/manager of an agricultural establishment or a commercial (for-hire) pesticide handling establishment, or work as a crop advisor.

Purchase Here

WPS Respiratory Protection Guide: Requirements for Employers of Pesticide Handlers

Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, there are new requirements for pesticide handlers when pesticide labels require the use of a respirator. This 45-page guide includes step-by-step fit-testing procedures, respirator selection guidance, medical evaluation options, and some frequently asked questions. 

Purchase Here

WPS Posters

Updated WPS Poster(s) for “Central Posting” areas and certain decontamination sites
This poster(s) complies with the requirements in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides.

Posters come in Large (22×34.5in) and Small (11×17) with a English/Spanish front, and the option of English or Spanish back. All Posters have a gloss laminate finish for durability.

Purchase Here

WPS Training Videos

These WPS training videos for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers apply to many sectors because they include footage and examples from orchards, forestry, nurseries, greenhouses, vineyards, and row crops.

Available in English and Spanish!

Purchase Here

WPS Standard Handbook for Agricultural Employers

Can be purchased individually or in bundles of 2 and 10!

This handbook is formatted as a small booklet, half the size of a sheet of paper. We hope you’ll find it as useful as a handout when training and/or inspecting agricultural work under the WPS.

Purchase Here 

Web-Based Training for Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers

Online training course!

This web-based course is EPA-approved, including 12 self-paced learning modules. The course provides the required information for trainers who will perform annual training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the U.S. EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS). It will guide you through the necessary procedures to provide effective training about pesticide safety topics.

Purchase Here

 

NPSEC News – October 4th, 2018


 

NPSEC News – October 4th, 2018

PSEFMP Funding Application is Live!

The Pesticide Safety Education Funds Management Program (PSEFMP) application for 2019 funding went live on Monday, October 1, 2018.

Applications can be accessed through: https://applyextension.smapply.io/

Key Dates to remember:

  • Application system opens: Monday, October 1, 2018 at 8 am EST
  • First round of reviews: October 22, 2018
  • Second round of reviews: November 19, 2018
  • Application Submission Deadline: December 1, 2018 at 8 pm EST
  • Final round of reviews: December 10, 2018
  • Sub-award Notification Announcement: December 21, 2018
  • Funds distributed by: January 15, 2019

NEW NPSEC STORE PRODUCTS!

The NPSEC Store is a good place to find EPA-approved materials with expanded 2015 WPS content. This is where you can order NPSEC, PERC, WPS, and state-specific products. For PERC products, PSEPs get a 5% discount if they purchase the products using the code we mailed you at checkout. We track all PERC sales by state and send 5% of all net sales in a particular state or territory back to the PSEP as a gift. 

Shop the NPSEC Store

PERC PRODUCTS

National Worker Protection Standard: A Manual for Trainers

Available in English and Spanish!

These EPA-approved manuals (English: EPA 730-B-16-001; Spanish: EPA 730-K-17-001)) begin with an introduction to pesticides and pesticide safety, including the federal pesticide regulations. They discusses each of the specific points that must be included in WPS training sessions and contains valuable information to help trainers prepare for and conduct pesticide safety training.

Purchase Here

How to Comply With the 2015 Revised Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides

This EPA-approved manual will help users of agricultural pesticides comply with the requirements of the 2015 revised federal Worker Protection Standard. You should read this manual if you employ agricultural  workers or handlers, are involved in the production of agricultural plants as an owner/manager of an agricultural establishment or a commercial (for-hire) pesticide handling establishment, or work as a crop advisor.

Purchase Here

WPS Respiratory Protection Guide: Requirements for Employers of Pesticide Handlers

Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, there are new requirements for pesticide handlers when pesticide labels require the use of a respirator. This 45-page guide includes step-by-step fit-testing procedures, respirator selection guidance, medical evaluation options, and some frequently asked questions. 

Purchase Here

WPS Posters

Updated WPS Poster(s) for “Central Posting” areas and certain decontamination sites
This poster(s) complies with the requirements in the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides.

Posters come in Large (22×34.5in) and Small (11×17) with a English/Spanish front, and the option of English or Spanish back. All Posters have a gloss laminate finish for durability.

Purchase Here

WPS Training Videos

These WPS training videos for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers apply to many sectors because they include footage and examples from orchards, forestry, nurseries, greenhouses, vineyards, and row crops.

Available in English and Spanish!

Purchase Here

WPS Standard Handbook for Agricultural Employers

Can be purchased individually or in bundles of 2 and 10!

This handbook is formatted as a small booklet, half the size of a sheet of paper. We hope you’ll find it as useful as a handout when training and/or inspecting agricultural work under the WPS.

Purchase Here 

Web-Based Training for Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers

Online training course!

This web-based course is EPA-approved, including 12 self-paced learning modules. The course provides the required information for trainers who will perform annual training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the U.S. EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS). It will guide you through the necessary procedures to provide effective training about pesticide safety topics.

Purchase Here

 

NPSEC News – September 21st, 2018


 

NPSEC News – September 21st, 2018

NPSEC Video Feature

 
Raúl Perez, PSEP Coordinator in Puerto Rico, shares his experience at the 2018 National Pesticide Applicator Certification and Safety Education Workshop in San Antonio, TX.

List of Attendees from the 2018 NPACSE Workshop

An email will be sent to all participants of the 2018 NPACSE Workshop with a link and a password to access a list of attendees and their email addresses. Please let us know if you would like to opt out from being included on that list. 

Updates to PSEFMP FAQs. 

There have been some updates to the PSEFMP application FAQs to address some remaining questions. These include:
  • Will eXtension own the intellectual property or product developed?
  • What is the purpose of the non-public repository?
  • What is NPSEC’s role with the non-public repository?
  • Why is the sharing of a deliverable a requirement?
  • Are PSEFMP funds only PRIA funds?
  • Do I have to work with NPSEC?
  • What if I decide to work with NPSEC?

Shop the NPSEC Store

Price Drop! The price of the WPS Train The Trainer manual has been reduced.

New WPS products on the NPSEC Store: WPS videos, Spanish train the Trainer manual, WPS Ag Employers Handbook! 

The NPSEC Store is a good place to find EPA-approved materials with expanded 2015 WPS content. This is where you can order NPSEC, PERC, WPS, and state-specific products. For PERC products, PSEPs get a 5% discount if they purchase the products using the code we mailed you at checkout. We track all PERC sales by state and send 5% of all net sales in a particular state or territory back to the PSEP as a gift. 

NPSEC Shirts are Available!

If you are interested in purchasing a NPSEC polo shirt, please contact Courtney Weatherbee here by Friday, September 28th, 2018. 

PERC offers Web-Based WPS Train the Trainer Course

  • It’s posted here on the PERC website.
  • The cost is $35, which covers the cost of the hosting, course maintenance, and certification management.
  • It will be offered via the NPSEC Store, hosted by eXtension.

This web-based course provides the information required to train those who will train agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the WPS (CFR 170). It will guide you through the necessary procedures to provide effective training about pesticide safety topics. This course is one way to become qualified to train agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the WPS.

This is a self-paced eLearning course; you will view eLearning modules, take quizzes, and complete a final exam at your own pace. Once you have successfully completed all the course requirements, passed the final exam with the minimum passing score of 70% and then completed the course evaluation, you will be issued a WPS pesticide safety trainer certification. This course will take you approximately two to three hours to complete.

Completion of this course certifies you as a qualified WPS trainer of agricultural workers and pesticide handlers in the continental U.S, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You must check with your state or tribal pesticide regulatory agency for possible additional requirements.

If you have any questions about this message, please direct them to PERC using the contact information below.

Suzanne Forsyth, PERC Director
UC Davis Extension
530-757-8603
email: spforsyth@ucdavis.edu

Kaci Buhl, PERC Deputy Director
Oregon State University
541-737-8330
email: kaci.buhl@oregonstate.edu

Register for October 25th Webinar on Best Practices for Pesticide Ground Application

EPA is hosting a webinar titled “Best Practices for Ground Application” on October 25, 2018, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET. This webinar is tailored for growers, pesticide applicators, pest management professionals, and other interested stakeholders who work in crop production. 

The webinar will be presented by Dr. Greg Kruger, a weed science and application technology specialist from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The presentation will cover different methods of ground application, best practices for reducing pesticide spray particle drift when using ground application equipment, and a discussion of the optimization of weed control.

Register Here and Learn More About Reducing Pesticide Drift Here

 

NPSEC News – September 14th, 2018


 

NPSEC News – September 14th, 2018

2018 National Pesticide Applicator Certification & Safety Education Workshop Evaluation

If you attended the workshop, we invite you to complete our workshop survey. You can find the survey by clicking here. Please complete the survey by September 20th, 2018.

PERC offers Web-Based WPS Train the Trainer Course

  • It’s posted here on the PERC website.
  • The cost is $35, which covers the cost of the hosting, course maintenance, and certification management.
  • It will be offered via the NPSEC Store, hosted by eXtension.

This web-based course provides the information required to train those who will train agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the WPS (CFR 170). It will guide you through the necessary procedures to provide effective training about pesticide safety topics. This course is one way to become qualified to train agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the WPS.

This is a self-paced eLearning course; you will view eLearning modules, take quizzes, and complete a final exam at your own pace. Once you have successfully completed all the course requirements, passed the final exam with the minimum passing score of 70% and then completed the course evaluation, you will be issued a WPS pesticide safety trainer certification. This course will take you approximately two to three hours to complete.

Completion of this course certifies you as a qualified WPS trainer of agricultural workers and pesticide handlers in the continental U.S, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You must check with your state or tribal pesticide regulatory agency for possible additional requirements.

If you have any questions about this message, please direct them to PERC using the contact information below.

Suzanne Forsyth, PERC Director
UC Davis Extension
530-757-8603
email: spforsyth@ucdavis.edu

Kaci Buhl, PERC Deputy Director
Oregon State University
541-737-8330
email: kaci.buhl@oregonstate.edu

NPSEC Video Feature

 
Natalie Hoidal, PSEP Coordinator at the University of Minnesota, shares her experience at the 2018 National Pesticide Applicator Certification and Safety Education Workshop in San Antonio, TX.

Shop the NPSEC Store

New WPS products on the NPSEC Store: WPS videos, Spanish train the Trainer manual, WPS Ag Employers Handbook!!! The NPSEC Store is a good place to find EPA-approved materials with expanded 2015 WPS content. This is where you can order NPSEC, PERC, WPS, and state-specific products. For PERC products, PSEPs get a 5% discount if they purchase the products using the code we mailed you at checkout. We track all PERC sales by state and send 5% of all net sales in a particular state or territory back to the PSEP as a gift.