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About the Pesticide Education Program

Our program strives to educate pesticide applicators and users about pest management alternatives, including pesticides, to promote responsible decision-making.

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Updated:

June 27, 2025

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Our Goals

Fostering the development and maintenance of productive, profitable, and competitive businesses and a sustainable food system in Pennsylvania's changing economic climate;
Ensuring the long-term vitality and sustainability of Pennsylvania's natural resources and local environments as related to pesticides and pest management; and
Enabling people to reach informed decisions on complex issues involving the use of pesticides by providing information and educational opportunities.

How We Accomplish Them

Providing recertification training as requested
Providing relevant pesticide and pest management slide show presentations
Developing new and updating current pesticide applicator study materials
Participating in outreach events to educate consumers and youth about pesticide safety around the home
Supporting air blast and boom sprayer calibrations, respirator fit testing and training, and Fieldwatch^®
Providing in-service educational opportunities for Penn State technical service employees; extension faculty, specialists, and educators; and regional pesticide safety educators and state lead agency staff
Developing Pesticide Education/Integrated Pest Management curricula and educational materials for secondary science and agricultural science teachers
Updating fact sheets and developing new ones as needed