Author: Ricardo Bessin
Major Program: Chemical Management
This is a service-oriented educational program that trains, certifies, and licenses both Private and Commercial applicators to use Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP) or pesticides as part of their commercial businesses. EPA requires that only trained and licensed applicators can purchase and use RUPs as they pose greater risks than other products. Private Applicators are farmers that use RUPs to produce agricultural commodities. Currently there are 10,653 licensed Private applicators who are traine
Author: Bryce Roberts
The Rinse and Return Program is coordinated with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture with local Cooperative Extension Service Offices throughout Kentucky. It is a recycling program that allows for the reuse of plastic containers that previously held pesticides and these containers cannot be recycled with other ordinary household plastics. According to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, “this reduces the amount of material enteri
Author: Matthew Chadwick
Issue or Situation:Murray State University implemented a new policy requiring student workers involved in pesticide application or entering areas treated with pesticides to attend a pesticide training class and obtain a private applicator's card as part of their employment. However, the timing of the trainings, offered only in late winter, created challenges for workers hired in the summer and fall semesters, leaving a gap in pesticide safety preparedness for these students.Outreach or Educa
