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The purpose of the PSEP are to help assure the proper, effective, and safe use as well as storage and disposal of pesticides; to assist both private and commercial applicators in meeting the initial and continuing standards of certification to apply restricted use pesticides; and to address adverse risks associated with pesticide misuse and consequences of pesticide drift. Emphasis should be placed on personal safety, protection of the environment, prevention of pesticide drift, endangered species, water quality, and food safety. <P>The University of Massachusetts Extension Pesticide Education Program (the Program) coordinates with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) to provide training and continuing education to licensed and certified pesticide applicators in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is responsible for the testing and licensing of pesticide applicators and enforcement of pesticide laws and regulations. The Program works closely with MDAR on the initial training process. New applicants are provided with an examination application packet that includes information on preparatory self-study materials and optional two-day preparatory workshops. The Program is responsible for maintaining and distributing self-study manuals as well as offering the workshops. Approximately 800 individuals receive self-study manuals and 350 individuals participate in the two-day preparatory workshops. The Program is responsible for conducting workshops as well as coordinating other pesticide re-certification training activities sponsored or developed by UMass Extension programs. These workshops and/or conferences (approximately 75 per year) are held throughout the state for the 6000 licensed and certified pesticide applicators. Topics that are covered in these workshops include, State and Federal Pesticide Laws and Regulations; Integrated Pest Management in Schools; Invasive Plant Pests; Personal Protective Equipment and Safety; Environmental Fate of Pesticides; Health Effects of Pesticides; EPA Worker Protection Standard; Integrated Pest Management for Multiple Commodities; Asian Longhorned Beetle and Other Invasive Insect Species; and Pesticide Impacts on Non-Target Species.
Non-Technical Summary:<br/>
The University of Massachusetts Extension Pesticide Education Program (the Program) coordinates with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) to provide training and continuing education to licensed and certified pesticide applicators in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is responsible for the testing and licensing of pesticide applicators and enforcement of pesticide laws and regulations. The Program works closely with MDAR on the initial training process. New applicants are provided with an examination application packet that includes information on preparatory self-study materials and optional two-day preparatory workshops. The Program is responsible for maintaining and distributing self-study manuals as well as offering the workshops. Approximately 800 individuals receive self-study manuals and 350 individuals participate in the two-day preparatory workshops. The Program is responsible for conducting workshops as well as coordinating other pesticide re-certification training activities sponsored or developed by UMass Extension programs. These workshops and/or conferences (approximately 75 per year) are held throughout the state for the 6000 licensed and certified pesticide applicators. Topics that are covered in these workshops include, State and Federal Pesticide Laws and Regulations; Integrated Pest Management in Schools; Invasive Plant Pests; Personal Protective Equipment and Safety; Environmental Fate of Pesticides; Health Effects of Pesticides; EPA Worker Protection Standard; Integrated Pest Management for Multiple Commodities; Asian Longhorned Beetle and Other Invasive Insect Species; and Pesticide Impacts on Non-Target Species.
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Approach:<br/>
The UMass Extension Pesticide Education program distributes approximately 800 study manuals to individuals preparing for the state regulatory pesticide examinations. In addition, the program offers approximately 20 two-day workshops to further help individuals prepare for the examinations. Participants are given an opportunity to evaluate the class at the end of the workshop. The program has determined through exam results that individuals that attend the class are more likely to pass the exam than individuals who do not attend the class. The workshop also provides participants with information on future continuing education opportunities. Providing continuing education to licensed and certified applicators is one of the primary goals of the program. These events, conference and workshops, give individuals an opportunity to expand their knowledge of state and federal pesticide laws and regulations, techniques for managing pests including integrated pest management, identifying invasive species, how to reduce risk of pesticides to the environment, and the need to wear personal protective equipment. Participants are provided with opportunities to evaluate these events. UMass Extension will use this feedback to provide expanded and improved education. The UMass Extension Pesticide Education Program distributes information about these programs through a variety of communication strategies including,websites, direct mail, and phone. The staff of the Program also provide about pesticides to non-pesticide applicators. Staff serve as invited speakers to several University of Massachusetts at Amherst courses including Principles of Pesticide Management; Pesticide, Public Policy and the Environment, and Winter Turf School.