Success StorySouthern Kentucky Commercial Pesticide Training



Southern Kentucky Commercial Pesticide Training

Author: David Embrey

Planning Unit: Edmonson County CES

Major Program: Chemical Crop Management Tools

Plan of Work: Horticulture

Outcome: Intermediate 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 12 hours of continuing education during a three year cycle to maintain their applicator license.  3 of these hours must address specific topics that pertain to their license category.  Many applicators were having a difficult time finding training opportunities that fit into their work schedule and that were not a long way from their business operation.  The event is held each year at the Logan County Extension Facility.  The agriculture and horticulture agents around the Mammoth Cave responded to a need for commercial training opportunity by developing the SOKY Pesticide Training Program.  The agents organized, promoted, secured speakers, coordinated with the KY Dept. of Agriculture, and facilitated the event.  The UK Pesticide Applicator Training Program provides guidance and support for this training.  UK Extension Specialists, a KSU Extension Specialist, a Public Information Officer from the Ky. State Police, WKU Turf Professor, and industry professionals presented information during the two-day program. 46 people attended the first day focused on production Agriculture and 26 people attended the second day focused on turf/lawn care and public works. Paper evaluations were collected after each day of the program.  The information is used to improve the program for the next year. For the first day, 100% of participants indicated that they increased their knowledge and awareness of the commercial vehicle transportation regulations and how they apply to them, 97% increased their knowledge of aquatic weed control, and 100% indicated that they increased their knowledge of new and emerging insect pests. For day two, 100% said that they increased their knowledge of lawn and turf diseases, 100% increased their knowledge of Right-of-Way Regulations, and 91% indicated an increase in knowledge of spray equipment calibration and maintenance procedures. They also provided input on topics they would like to see addressed in future trainings.







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