VA: PESTICIDE CONTROL BOARD RECOGNIZES EXTENSION AGENTS FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

News Date November 24, 2009

On October 8, 2009, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Virginia Pesticide Control Board recognized 20 Virginia Cooperative Extension agents and specialists for their outstanding participation in the pesticide container recycling program, the pesticide disposal program and pesticide safety education courses.  The following agents were recognized for their outstanding performance during 2008 - 2009:

Pesticide Container Recycling Program – The 2008 Plastic Pesticide Container

Recycling award was given to Kelvin Wells, Extension Agent in Sussex County, for contributing approximately 1,700 pounds of the total 117,000 pounds of properly rinsed plastic pesticide containers and for possessing the many attributes that ensure a successful program. These attributes include flexibility, maintaining open communication with the project partners and exhibiting a high degree of professionalism throughout the process.

Pesticide Disposal Program – For their combined efforts, the award for the 2008

Pesticide Disposal Program went to Extension agents Barry Robinson, Montgomery County; Jason Pratt, Pulaski County; and Jon Vest, Floyd County. The winning trio exhibited both cooperation and collaboration as they selected sites, notified agricultural producers and homeowners of the availability of the program and educated farmers and homeowners on proper storage and disposal of unwanted pesticides.

Pesticide Safety Education

First Place: In recognition of their success educating farmers in the calibration and safe operation of pesticide application equipment, the first place award went to a team consisting of Extension agents Mike Parrish of Dinwiddie County and Kelvin Wells of Sussex County with Extension specialist Bobby Grisso from Virginia Tech. The team arranged for a suitable site and then brought in three spread trucks and two different sprayers that participants could review for safe operation and calibration. Attendees had the opportunity to handle calibration equipment and discuss tip choices as well as view sophisticated GPS systems. In addition to a discussion of the personal protection equipment needed when operating or calibrating such equipment, participants were also given tips on safe operation when operating on the highway between fields.

Andres Alvarez, Director, VDACS Division of Consumer Protection, presented each agent with a commemorative plaque and a gift basket of Virginia's Finest products on behalf of the Virginia Pesticide Control Board. (Contact: VDACS’ Office of Pesticide Services, 804.371.6558)