Pest Management and the Environment

The goal of the Pest Management and the Environment (PME) program is to provide educational information throughout Iowa on the safe use of pesticides. The PME program is responsible for Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). Other programs that PME is involved in include integrated pest management, worker protection, water quality, and agricultural health.

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Attention Agricultural Health Study Participants!

Want to be a part of important research about the health of farmers and their spouses? It’s time to complete your next Agricultural Health Study survey! The health follow up will be mailed to all Agricultural Health Study participants starting in June 2013. Over 40,000 people completed the last interview, and we’d like even more to participate this time around. The more people who complete it, the better the Agricultural Health Study can do at understanding the risks and benefits to all farming families. To have complete records on everyone, we are trying to follow up all participants, including those who have passed away. We want to hear from everyone, even if you are no longer farming. Keep an eye on your mailbox! When you receive your survey, please return it as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact the Health Follow up Survey Center by calling 1-855-443-2692 or visit the survey website www.aghealthsurvey.org. To learn more about the Agricultural Health Study and its findings, please visit our website: www.aghealth.org

New Pesticide Record Keeping App Available

Pesticide and Field RecordsA new iPad app is available to help producers and agriculture businesses record and maintain pesticide application information. The free iPad app allows users to link information to specific field locations using satellite mapping and document pesticide application information needed to comply with state and federal record keeping requirements. The app also features a product search option that lists Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) product registration numbers and identifies restricted use products. It can be downloaded from the iTunes store under the name Pesticide and Field Records.

New Document Available to Train Vineyard Workers Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS)

Mike White, ISU Extension Viticulture Specialist developed a new 37 page step-by-step vineyard worker WPS training document. The document can be used by WPS trainers and certified pesticide applicators to assist them in a WPS training program for vineyard workers. The document can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/region7/pesticides/pdf/wps_vineyard_training.pdf. Additional information on WPS can be found by clicking the “Worker Protection Standard” tab at the top of this page.

The Agricultural Health Study

The Agricultural Health Study Update for 2013 is now available to download. The study update is published annually and is sent to all participating households. For more information, please click on the “Agricultural Health Study” tab at the top of this page.

Now Archived: Mini Bulk/IBC Container Compliance And Recycling: Best Practices From TPSA Webinar

Increased emphasis on retail stewardship coupled with a new pesticide container rule has made compliance more important than ever. You can view the archived presentation at the Mini Bulk / IBC Container Compliance page. During the presentation members of The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance (TPSA) will outline best practices for mini-bulk/IBC container compliance, including how to bring refillable containers into compliance, as well as ways to recycle non-compliant containers.

Spring 2013 Commercial Pesticide Applicator Training Recertification Course Schedule Now Available

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Pest Management and the Environment programs have set the spring dates for the commercial pesticide applicator continuing instructional courses for 2013. These will be offered at county extension offices across Iowa. Additional information and registration forms for these programs will be available early 2013. Visit the Commercial Applicator Training page for more information.

2012-2013 Private Pesticide Applicator Training Recertification Course Schedule Now Available

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Pest Management and the Environment programs have set the 2012-2013 dates for the private pesticide applicator continuing instructional courses. These will be offered through county extension offices across Iowa. For any additional information contact your county extension office.

List of Private Applicator Training Recertification Dates/Locations (As of November 2012--Please call county for specifics)

Page last updated: May 29, 2013