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Our goal is to train and certify pesticide applicators so they will be competent to use pesticides in a manner that will not harm themselves, the general public, or the environment. <br/>The project will train people who use pesticides to raise crops (private applicators or farmers) and people who merchandise and apply pesticides for commercial/public purposes (pesticide dealers and custom applicators, researchers, public health officials). At the time of this writing, there are about 21,400 active private certifications and 8,900 active commercial/noncommercial certifications in Nebraska. The project anticipates training and/or certifying about 10,000 commercial/noncommercial/private applicators each year. In order to accomplish this, about 160 trainings are delivered.
Non-Technical Summary:<br/>
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program was established in response to the general public's concern that pesticide use should be regulated. The mission of the program is to train people in the safe, effective, and legal use of pesticides with an emphasis on protecting human health and the environment.
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Approach:<br/>
We will develop curricula and supporting educational materials for commercial/noncommercial/private applicators, deliver commercial/noncommercial training sessions, oversee county extension educator delivery of private applicator training events, maintain web sites, and develop on-line certification and recertification modules for private applicators.