Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
Target Audience: Our target audience is private and commercial pesticide applicators and those individuals studying to become private or commercial pesticide applicators. Changes/Problems: The UC IPM PSEP team has been working to update the Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides, with the target of having that project complete in January of 2013. The team also planned to update the Plant Agriculture category study materials, including knowledge and performance expectations, once the core category was complete. Since the two categories are very interrelated, particularly in the UC IPM study materials, we have re-worked the timeline. The knowledge and performance expectations, and the manuscripts for both categories will be completed in tandem. The new target date for completion of both projects is July 2013. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The team increased opportunities for pesticide training for California qualified applicators by coordinating programs with UC Cooperative Extension advisors, PAPA (Pesticide Applicators Professional Association) and other organizations that traditionally provide training. The Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator gave presentations on pesticide safety to 870 private and commercial pesticide applicators. In addition, University of California personnel carried out pesticide safety training for 18,880 commercial applicators recertifying or relicensing, and those taking their commercial applicator exams. The team also delivered information through the Web, newsletters and email requests for information. Continuing education units are offered for 5 different online training classes on our website. 366 students took these courses. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We have provided outreach to private and commercial pesticide applicators in California via in-person trainings, printed and on-line study materials, the UC IPM webpage (ipm.ucanr.edu), pest management newsletters, and email exchanges. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The UC IPM PSEP team plans to complete the study materials for the basic principles exam and the Plant Agriculture category for commercial applicators. In addition, we will begin working on exam questions for both of these exams.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The UC IPM PSEP team coordinated applicator training planning with California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR). They met quarterly with personnel from the Pest Management and Licensing Branch to discuss pesticide program needs, coordinate planning of pesticide applicator training, and review program goals and accomplishments. CDPR personnel participated in advisory committees that are charged with oversight of specific educational programs or products under development. The team is currently updating The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides, the study manual for the basic principles exam required for a qualified applicator license or certificate, as well as the Plant Agriculture category study materials. The team convened a group of experts from UC, DPR, agricultural commissioners, applicators, pesticide industry and others to identify and confirm the performance and knowledge expectations for those who will be qualified and an analysis of topics that need to be updated or added. This same group will assist with revision and peer review. The UC IPM PSEP team developed knowledge expectations for both our basic category exam for licensed or qualified applicators and for our plant agriculture category exam. These knowledge expectations will serve as a guide for what will be included in the category study guides, and for the exam question pools. Funding from this grant provided a portion of the Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator’s salary to do these activities. It also helped leverage other grant and contract money to work on these and related projects.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Strand, J.F. 2011-12. Quarterly progress reports to Department of Pesticide Regulation.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Blecker, L. 2012. Pesticide Safety Education Program Re-established at UC. CAPCA Advisor: Vol. XV:4.
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Blecker, L. A. and J. M. Thomas. 2012. Soil Fumigation Manual: A National Pesticide Application Certification Study Guide. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation.
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