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MEETING THE NEEDS FOR ON-LINE AND IN-PERSON PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION TRAINING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Agricultural Issues

Mark Heitstuman
Extension Director & Interim State 4-H Program Director
Washington State University
ASOTIN

Abstract

Agricultural producers and ag-related businesses in Washington and Idaho are required to have a pesticide applicator license to use restricted use pesticides (RUPs). The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), and the Idaho Department of Agriculture (IDA) are the license administrators in each state. License holders are required to participate in pesticide recertification classes to maintain valid licenses. For example, individuals with a WSDA Private Applicator License are required to receive 20-hours of recertification credits every 5 years. Traditionally, chemical companies, commodity associations, Extension, Conservation Districts, and others offer these classes in-person. The COVID-19 pandemic of the past 2 years has drastically reduced the availability of recertification classes. To address this need, WSU, and UI Extension in 2021 developed a strategy to greatly expand the availability of recertification classes in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. This presentation will address challenges faced in offering a large-scale on-line only program in the early 2021; and a hybrid recertification class in December 2021.  Challenges addressed include delivering programming on-line to a neophyte audience using Zoom; limited bandwidth in rural areas of both states; needing to meet verification of attendance requirements of two departments of agriculture; and dealing with negative feelings in the ag industry towards land-grant universities following state mandates that limit in-person attendance at events.  In January, five pesticide recertification credits were offered in partnership by the WSU Asotin, Columbia, Walla Walla, and Whitman County Extension Offices.  Attendance included 145 individuals participating on-line from 14 different counties. In December, the University of Idaho Nez Perce County Extension Office was added to expand credit offerings to an additional 6-county region in Northern Idaho. 182 individuals participated in the December classes: including 145 on-line and 37 in-person in Clarkston. Since speakers did not have to travel to present, WSU and UI were able to offer these classes for free. Program impacts include 327 pesticide license holders receiving over 1,575 hours of recertification credits provided by Extension in 2021. At a normal fee of $10-20/credit hour, participants saved an estimated $15,000 to $30,000. This figure does not include participant travel time and travel costs.

Authors: Mark Heitstuman, Doug Finkelnburg, Janet Schmidt, Debbie Williams
  1. Mark Heitstuman Extension Director, Washington State University, Washington, 99402
  2. Doug Finkelnburg Area Extension Educator, Cropping Systems, University of Idaho, Idaho, 83501
  3. Janet Schmidt Extension Director (retired), Washington State University, Washington, 99111
  4. Debbie Williams Extension Director, Washington State University, Washington, 99362