Elizabeth Danielson
Betsy Danielson is an extension specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).
Subscribe to RSS FeedTo maintain your private pesticide applicator certification, you must either pass an exam every three years or attend an approved Private Continuing Instruction Course (P-CIC) between December 1 and April 15 each year your certification card covers.
In-Person Training
The best...
Recycling is the environmentally friendly and responsible way of disposing of empty pesticide containers. In 2021, over 803,000 pounds of pesticide containers were collected and recycled in Iowa. Recycling options vary depending on the container size.
Recycling containers 55...
When a pesticide application moves beyond the application site to a place it’s not wanted – known as pesticide drift – it can cause damage to acreages, gardens, and landscape plants. Pesticide drift can occur virtually anywhere – in rural areas, towns, and cities.
Are You Sure It’...
When selecting a pesticide, make sure you read the label to ensure that you have the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed...
This is the final article in a 3-part series for private pesticide applicators. Part 1 focused on remaining continuing instruction courses to maintain...
A new Aerial Application Manual (CS 26) is now available for individuals planning to take the aerial applicator exam to become certified or renew their certification. This manual will assist aerial applicators and aerial applicator consultants in preparing to take the commercial pesticide...
If you have experienced a suspected dicamba incident contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) at 515-281-8591 to file a report. You may file an “Incident Report” or a “Documentary Report” with the IDALS Pesticide Bureau.
Reporting dicamba incidents helps...
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is pilot testing a program that allows commercial pesticide applicators to complete some of their annual testing requirements online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is...
If you use a pesticide that requires the use of a respirator, the Worker Protection Standard requires that before you use the respirator you must first receive:
- A medical evaluation by a physician or other licensed health care professional to determine if you are physically fit to...
Due to COVID-19, the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a limited number of statewide virtual private pesticide applicator Continuing Instruction Course (P-CIC) programs. These are in addition to the in-person programs being...
A self-paced online course is now available for commercial pesticide applicators who need to attend a 2020 recertification program for categories 7C (Fumigation) and 10 (Research and Demonstration). This online course is also available to private pesticide applicators certified to apply...
Manufacturers of the dicamba products labeled for over-the-top use in soybean (FeXapan, Xtendimax, Tavium, Engenia) are again offering live and online training sessions for pesticide applicators planning to use those products during the 2020 growing season. Live sessions are offered during...
When selecting a pesticide, make sure you read the label to ensure that you have the Personal Protective...
The Disposal module within the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship website was recently revised and expanded. The new version, available at https://pesticidestewardship.org/disposal/, has additional content on disposal options for excess...
According to a recent State Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act Issues Research and Evaluation Group (...
Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, there are specific requirements for handlers when pesticide labels require the use of a respirator. Handlers are employees, owners, and family members who apply, load, unload, rinse pesticide application equipment or do other tasks...
Under the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) as revised in 2015, agricultural workers and pesticide handlers must be trained annually in pesticide safety.
Who needs to be trained?
Both agricultural workers (people employed to perform work activities related to the...
A web-based national Worker Protection Standard (WPS) course to qualify trainers to train both workers and handlers is now...
A collection of educational resources to help people on farms, orchards, forests, and other agricultural establishments comply with EPA’s revised Worker Protection Standard (WPS) regulation is now available online at http://pesticideresources.org/wps...
On November 2, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final rule of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) regulation. Due to the major changes in the regulation, EPA is allowing extra time for employers, trainers, and regulators to adjust to the new...