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Colorado State University Extension will use the Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEP) funds to ensure applicators understand how to properly, safely, and effectively use pesticides as well as how to properly store and dispose of pesticides within the State of Colorado. CSU Extension will assist both private and commercial applicators in meeting the initial and continuing standards of certification to apply restricted use pesticides. CSU Extension will assist commercial applicators in the initial standards of certification to apply general use and restricted use pesticides as well as recertification to continue to apply general use and restricted use pesticides. Training will address adverse risks associated with pesticide misuse and consequences of pesticide drift. Emphasis will be on personal safety, protection of the environment, prevention of pesticide drift, endangered species, water quality, and food safety.
Non-Technical Summary:<br/>
Colorado State University Extension agrees to use the Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEP) funds to ensure applicators understand how to properly, safely, and effectively use pesticides as well as how to properly store and dispose of pesticide within the State of Colorado. Project objectives will focus on recertification programs for existing licensed applicators and pre-certification classes for persons seeking applicator licensing. CSU Extension will assist both private and commercial applicators in meeting the continuing standards of recertification to apply restricted use pesticides. CSU Extension will assist commercial applicators in meeting the initial standards of certification to apply general use and restricted use pesticides. Training will address adverse risks associated with pesticide misuse and consequences of pesticide drift. Emphasis will be on personal safety, protection of the environment, prevention of pesticide drift, endangered species, water quality, and food safety.
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Approach:<br/>
CSU Extension will reach these objectives through the following methods: CSU will develop a precertification educational program for persons interested in attaining a certified commercial pesticide applicator license. Classroom instruction will include modules on federal/state laws regarding pesticide applications, applicator safety, environmental safety, public safety, the proper use of pesticides including sprayer calibration, and pesticides and their families. To generate the greatest exposure to this opportunity, this training will be offered through a cooperative arrangement between CSU Extension and professional organizations. CSU Extension will also provide recertification educational programs that meet the recertification continuing education requirement of the Colorado Department of Agriculture Pesticides Program. Educational programs for the 2012-2013 include focusing on Environmental Safety (Preventing drift and how to participate in Colorado's DRIFTWATCH program www.driftwatch.org), Public Safety (Preventing pesticide movement to ground and surface water), Pesticide families (Choosing pesticides to avoid pest resistance), Applicator safety (Healthy habits to detoxify your body), and the Use of pesticides (How to choose nozzles-what is this new terminology) CSU Extension will continue to inform pesticide applicators of other programs available for licensing recertification and new materials through the Colorado Environmental Pesticide Education Program website at www.cepep.colostate.edu . Evaluation of training provided will include number of applicators trained and their intent to change behavior.