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Develop and update educational materials and training manuals. Conduct recertification training programs. Develop a publication outlining the requirements for pesticide education. Establish pesticide safety educational modules on-line for applicators to receive credits.
Non-Technical Summary:<br/>
The pesticide safety education program, PSEP, at Kansas State University will provide pesticide safety education for approximately 14,566 private pesticide applicators and 6,130 commercial applicators in Kansas. The Kansas State Pesticide Safety Program conducts training programs for pesticide applicators in the safe, proper and legal use of pesticides and coordinates with the state lead agency (SLA) to provide current information on laws and regulations, pesticide labels, human health concerns, and environmental concerns. The program conducts annual recertification training to provide current information for all commercial pesticide applicator categories and on-going training on pesticide issues. The program is also responsible for developing and updating educational materials and training manuals to reflect current information on pesticides and application techniques. The PSEP will provide updates to the County Extension Agents in all 105 Kansas counties with a direct connection to their local applicators, both commercial and private. The outcomes are increased knowledge and awareness of pesticide benefits and risks. Applicators realize it is important to read the label and wear personal protective equipment; therefore they make an effort to read and understand the label and wear the correct PPE. The training results in permanent behavior change. The ultimate impact is commercial and private pesticide applicators will apply pesticides safely and effectively, and in an environmentally sound manner, which ensures the safety of all Kansans. The safe use of pesticides will help protect human health, the environment and our homes.
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Approach:<br/>
These PSEP objectives will be accomplished by conducting direct educational training programs at multiple locations, producing one or more printed educational products such as brochures, pamphlets or specific pesticide application category manuals, and similar information found in printed materials that will also be published in electronic format on the PSEP web site. The publications are developed, revised and edited, then sent to our communications department for printing and distribution. Information promoting the recertification programs are sent out to commercial applicators and promoted through the website.