Regionalize Pesticide Training Model: 10 Years of Glory and Road Bumps
Agronomy & Pest Management
Kalyn Waters
CED/Agriculture Agent
University of Florida
Bonifay
Abstract
Background: Providing opportunities for pesticide applicator training across multiple license categories requires extensive preparation and time for agents. In 2016, the Northwest District (NWD) Agricultural Program Implementation Team (PIT) developed and implemented a regional training model to address stakeholder needs. Objectives: The objectives were to meet the needs of pesticide license holders in the NWD to obtain new licensees and/or gain continuing education units (CEUs) while creating an educational model that would maximize the impact of agents’ time and efforts in a team-teaching environment. Method: Two annual multi-county collaborative training series (TS) are hosted. The Central Panhandle Pesticide TS comprises five agents across four counties (Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Washington). In comparison, the Big Bend Pesticide TS comprises five agents across three counties (Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson) in the Northwest District. The multi-day TS rotates annually between host counties to meet the needs of a wide range of clientele. They covered five RUP license categories (core, private, row crop, right-of-way, and aquatic). Results: Over a nine-year period, the training series has been hosted in a rotation of three or four counties within the two clusters (Central Panhandle, Big Bend). The two series have resulted in 1,442 participants, with 733 obtaining CEUs and 689 taking licensure exams. While additional training is held individually by counties, this series has offered practical and efficient programming for our agent group. Overall exam pass rates from this model have been 523/689 (76%). Conclusion: Demonstrated by the high attendance rate, this model has effectively met the needs for multiple-category area pesticide training while providing a structure that allows agents to serve a diverse client base efficiently. This model enables the agents to meet the considerable influx of testing when changes such as the paraquat and the crop dicamba products no longer allow for the supervision of non-licensed applicants.
Authors: Ethan Carter, Kalyn Waters, Daniel Leonard, Mark Mauldin, Robbie Jones, Danielle Sprague Williams, Mark Tancig, Donna Arnold
-
Ethan Carter Row Crop/Regional IMP Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Jackson County, Florida, 32446
-
Kalyn Waters Agriculture Agent and Natural Resources/County Director, UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County, Florida, 32425
-
Daniel Leonard Ag and Natural Resource Agent/County Director, UF/IFAS Extension Calhous County, Florida, 32424
-
Mark Mauldin Agriculture and Natural Resource Agenbt, UF/IFAS Extension Washington County, Florida, 32428
-
Robbie Jones Ag and Natural Resources/County Director, UF/IFAS Extension Gadsden County, Florida, 32351
-
Danielle Sprague Williams Citrus Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Gadsden County, Florida, 32351
-
Mark Tancig Commercial and Residential Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension Leon County, Florida, 32301
-
Donna Arnold Small Farm and Residential Horticultural, UF/IFAS Extension Gadsden County, Florida, 32351