Success StorySouthern Kentucky Commercial Pesticide Training
Southern Kentucky Commercial Pesticide Training
Author: David Embrey
Planning Unit: Edmonson County CES
Major Program: Chemical Management
Plan of Work: Forages
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
Application of crop protection chemicals and lawn/landscape chemicals is an important industry in South Central Kentucky. Professional applicators must receive training to stay current on issues, pests, techniques, and safety for the products they apply. They need to receive continuing education to maintain their license. The agriculture and horticulture agents around the old Mammoth Cave area (Currently West Areas 7 & 8) responded several years ago to a need for a commercial training opportunity by developing the Southern Kentucky (SOKY) Pesticide Training Program. The agents organized, promoted, secured speakers, coordinated with the Kentucky (KY) Dept. of Agriculture and the Tennessee (TN) Dept. of Agriculture, and facilitated the event. Many attendees apply pesticides in TN, so we work to secure continuing education for them. UK Extension Specialists, a Kentucky State University (KSU) Extension Specialist, a Public Information Officer from the KY State Police, a professor from Western Kentucky University (WKU), and a Transportation Cabinet employee presented during the program. 85 people attended the training (including speakers and facilitators). 510 hours of continuing education were received by these attendees. One applicator told us that, “Thank you for putting this on. I come every year to stay current on my hours, and you guys do a great job finding speakers and topics that apply to me”. Paper evaluations were collected at the end of the program. The information is used to improve the program for the next year. 51% of responses indicated they would make changes to their daily job duties and responsibilities as a result of the training. This is an increase over years past. These included: Pre-trip inspections, using proper personal protective equipment, and look into getting licensed to apply with a drone. Evaluations also provided input on topics attendees would like to see addressed in future training. There were 2 Certified Crop Advisors that used the training to keep their license current. Employees at Park Mammoth Resort in Edmonson County that care for the golf course attend.
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