Course Goals

May 12-15, 2025 | Grand Rapids, MI 

  • 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.

Nominations & Participants

Nominations are submitted via an online form, with selections made by the PIRT team and planning group. Solicitations for nominations have been sent to Supervisors and are now closed.

Planning Committee

  • Ofelio Borges – Washington Department of Agriculture
  • Antonio Castro-Escobar – Michigan Department of Agriculture
  • Ernesto Lugo – Arizona Department of Agriculture
  • Travis Snodgrass – North Carolina Department of Agriculture
  • Lynn Timmer – Michigan Department of Agriculture
  • Helene Ambrosino – US EPA Office of Compliance  
  • Aidan Black – US EPA Office of Pesticide Programs  
  • Kelly Engle – US EPA Office of Compliance
  • Fabiola Estrada – US EPA Region 9  
  • Ryne Yarger – US EPA Office of Pesticide Programs 

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.