Course Goals

March 17-20, 2026 | Phoenix, AZ

  • Provide pesticide inspectors with a basic knowledge and awareness of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and considerations when performing inspections and investigations.
  • Enhance participants’ ability to meet the present challenges of enforcing and recording compliance with the WPS for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 inspections.
  • Provide networking opportunities for those in the pesticide community.

Target Audience

State, Territory and Tribal Pesticide inspectors operating under a cooperative agreement who would benefit from a general overview of issues and skills needed to conduct Worker Protection Standard (WPS) inspections, follow protocols, conduct for-cause investigations, and address other compliance concerns related to the WPS.

Participants

Nominations are submitted via an online form and selections will be made by the PIRT team and planning group. Nominations will open January 5, 2026 and close January 19, 2026. Selected participants will be notified no later than January 23, 2026.

Planning Committee

  • Ernesto Lugo – Arizona Department of Agriculture
  • Alex Meraz  – Arizona Department of Agriculture
  • Jenny Webber – University of Arizona Pesticide Safety Education
  • Neil Richmond – Florida Department of Agriculture
  • Emma Cross – US EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
  • Isabel Gross – US EPA Office of Pesticide Programs
  • Ryne Yarger – US EPA Office of Pesticide Programs
  • Travis Snodgrass – North Carolina Department of Agriculture
  • Africa Dorame-Avalos – Inter Tribal Council of Arizona
  • Anthony Lamanno – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Travel & Lodging Information

  • State, Territory, and Tribal Participants
    • Lodging, flight, and ground transportation will be arranged and paid for by the PIRT team. There is no registration fee for State, Territory, and Tribal Participants.
  • EPA Participants
    • EPA Participants are responsible for reserving their own flights, lodging, and ground transportation. There is a registration fee for EPA participants.
  • More information will be shared via email after accepted attendees complete the course registration form. Please look for these in your inbox/spam folder.