PEP-Talk, June/July, 2006

Pesticide Education Program
Ohio State University Extension
Joanne Kick-Raack, State Coordinator
Cindy Folck, Communications
Vol. 10, Issue 6

In This Issue

• Slates Joins PEP Team
• Mosquito Display Materials Available
• Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection - July 26
• OSU Commercial Recertification Conferences
• EPA Enters Agreement with Edison Electric and Federal Agencies
• Vermont Biotech Liability Bill Vetoed
• Pesticide Crop Watch
• Upcoming Events

Slates Joins PEP Team

Mosquito Display Materials Available

Summer is here and so are the mosquitoes. The Pesticide Education Program has resources available to counties for information displays that show methods to reduce mosquito breeding areas and protect horses and people from West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne disease. Resources include a table-top display, posters in English and Spanish for protecting against mosquitoes around the home and farm. Contact the Pesticide Education Program at (614) 292-4070 for more information. The materials are available with cooperation from the Ohio Department of Health and OSU Extension.

Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection - July 26

July 26 will be the next training session for inspectors wanting to become licensed for wood-destroying insect inspections. Ohio regulation requires a license for anyone performing insect inspections as part of a real estate transaction. The license requires the inspectors to attend a mandatory five-hour training session and take a test.

Anyone interested in attending the training can go to the Pesticide Education Program website at http://pested.osu.edu for information. If there are any questions, they can call the program at (614) 292-4070. The class will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The registration, which includes lunch, is $90 if pre-registered and $100 at the door. Ohio State University Extension Educators who would like to learn more about inspecting structures for insect damage can attend the training at the discounted rate of $25. Call (614) 292-4070 for more information.

OSU Commercial Recertification Conferences

November begins the Recertification Conferences for Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicators coordinated by OSU Extension. The conferences are designed to provide commercial applicators an opportunity to complete their recertification requirements for their license. The conferences will be for applicators whose recertification requirement expires on September 30, 2007, 2008 or 2009. Registration, schedules and directions will be available on the website at http://pested.osu.edu on September 1.
County educators who would like to assist with moderating or registration will be able to attend the conference for no charge. The educators can also obtain commercial pesticide recertification credit during the conference. Please contact the Pesticide Education Program if you are interested. The dates and locations will be:

General Schools (turf, ornamental, industrial vegetation and pest control)
Akron – November 21, 2006
Wilmington – December 14, 2006 (new location)
Perrysburg – February 8, 2007
Columbus – February 27, 2007

Field Crop Conferences (agronomic pest control)
Lima – December 19, 2006
Wooster – January 17, 2007

EPA Enters Agreement with Edison Electric and Federal Agencies

EPA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish Integrated Vegetation Management to reduce pesticide use on rights-of-way. The MOU was signed with Edison Electric which represents U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. More information is available at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/grants/eei_integrated_mgmt.htm
(Source: EPA Office of Pesticide Programs Update)

Vermont Biotech Liability Bill Vetoed

The governor of Vermont recently vetoed a bill that would have allowed farmers to sue biotech seed companies. The bill would have sited transgenic pollen drifting onto fields or transgenic seeds spilling on property as grounds for lawsuits. The governor said that the bill was unnecessary and would have increased the controversy between organic and conventional farming practices in Vermont.
(Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 34, No. 32)

Pesticide Crop Watch

Herbicides
Simazine – EPA has released the Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for simazine, a systemic herbicide generally applied to the soil for control of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. Simazine is generally used on fruit and nut crops in addition to corn. It can also be applied at forestry sites and commercially grown sod. Since simazine is in the same group as other traizine pesticides such as atrazine and propazine, EPA evaluated the cumulative risk posed by the group. There is concern of the reproductive and developmental consequences of these pesticides. Currently, EPA has determined that registration will be supported provided the risks are mitigated either in the manner described by the RED, or another means. Comments will be accepted until August 21. More information is available at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/simazine/

Insecticides
Aldicarb – EPA has released the preliminary human health risk assessment for aldicarb, a carbamate pesticide. A restricted use product, aldicarb is used mainly on sugar beets, soybeans, tobacco and other crops. EPA is taking comments on the risk management for aldicarb which is considered a dietary risk for the general U.S. population, a food and water risk for adults and children and a worker risk for mixers, loaders and applicators. Comments will be accepted until July 17. More information is available at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/May/Day-17/p7496.htm

(Sources for Pesticide Crop Watch: EPA Office of Pesticide Programs Update, 5-15-06 and 6-27-06)

Upcoming Events

Wood Destroying Insect Inspection
July 26, 2006
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Taught at ODA in Reynoldsburg
Meets mandatory training requirement for Wood – Destroying Insect Inspection License

October 4, 2006
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Taught at ODA in Reynoldsburg
Meets mandatory training requirement for Wood – Destroying Insect Inspection License

Ohio Commercial Recertification Schools
General Schools (turf, ornamental, industrial vegetation and pest control)
Akron – November 21, 2006
Wilmington – December 14, 2006
Perrysburg – February 8, 2007
Columbus – February 27, 2007

Field Crop Conferences (agronomic pest control)
Lima – December 19, 2006
Wooster – January 17, 2007

Pesticides Applicator Training Inservice for County Educators
December 6 and 7, 2006
Agriculture Administration Auditorium, OSU Campus - Columbus

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OSU Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, gender identity or expression, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868