Author: Zachary DeVries
Planning Unit: Entomology
Major Program: Integrated Pest Management
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
COVID-19 has caused unparalleled harm and disruption, the likes of which our society has never seen. One major obstacle the state, and particularly the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, faced was in ensuring those applying pesticides maintained their training so the state could remain in compliance with the EPA’s guidelines. To ensure credits were offered, I organized an 8-week 16-credit online training program for pest control operators for the state of Kentucky and other surrounding states. This program was developed in collaboration with the Kentucky Pest Management Association and the KDA, and involved speakers from across the country. Our program provided >6,700 credits to an average audience of >420 people each week. Feedback was overwhelming positive from all parties involved (post course survey: 8.8/10.0, 192 responders) and specifically pest control operators were please they could maintain their certification and the KDA was pleased they did not have to re-test hundreds of operators during the pandemic. This program provided an essential service to assist both parties and has provided a framework to allow future training to incorporate some online components.
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