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Updated 2/9/09

Farmworker Education

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Training Schedule

A flyer of course dates is generally available early each year.

Pre-License Classes

Each year WSDA schedules several statewide Spanish language pre-license classes to help prepare participants for the Private Applicator exam.  These are primarily held in the winter and spring months.

For further information on the Spanish language classes, you may contact Veronica Segura at (509) 249-6925 or by e-mail at vhsegura@agr.wa.gov.

Recertification

A list of currently available recertification courses, from a variety of sponsors, which are occasionally available in Spanish, is continually updated by WSDA.

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Hands-on Handler Training Information

Course Schedule

Through collaboration with Washington State University Cooperative Extension and members of the agricultural community, WSDA implemented hands-on handler training in the late 1990's. This daylong training provides pesticide safety training using interactive, hands-on techniques that are proven effective for adult learners.

The goals of the hands-on training are to:

  • Provide high-quality, relevant training to pesticide handlers
  • Increase the training potential within the Hispanic community
  • Increase training opportunities by partnering with the agricultural community to sponsor hands-on training events.

Training philosophy
This type of training is effective because it values the knowledge and experiences of both trainers and participants. Trainers do not stand before their audience as experts, but as facilitators who lead small groups through active learning sessions. Open-ended questions that encourage participants to share their experiences are an important part of the training. 

Training modules
 Small groups of 10-12 students rotate through four training modules. Each group is taught by a team of two trainers, both of who speak the language of the trainees. Participants discuss techniques, do problem-solving activities, and enact real-life scenarios. Each module lasts between 60-70 minutes. 

At the beginning of each session, the trainers set the stage for their topics and then quickly get their groups up and moving into the hands-on activities. The four modules have different levels of activities. For example, the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) section requires students to read labels and select the appropriate PPE from a table. In Clean up & Disposal, students must put on the appropriate PPE and then demonstrate how to wash equipment. Mixing & Loading requires students to practice how to safely open different types of pesticide containers, weigh and mix product. In Environment Protection, students learn how to prevent drift and soil leaching.

How-to Guide
To encourage others to conduct hands-on handler training, WSDA developed a How-to Guide. This, together with the training curriculum, training props and willing trainers are all that is needed to start conducting similar training on-site. Alternately, you can contact Flor Servin in Wenatchee at (509) 662-0590 or by e-mail at fservin@agr.wa.gov to gain training support. 

Sponsor information
If you are interested in working with WSDA to sponsor a hands-on training event for your community or association members, view the sponsor and site requirements fact sheets for information.

If you are interested in putting on your own hands-on handler training, view WSDA's How-to Guide. This, together with the training curriculum, training props and willing trainers are all that is needed to start conducting similar training on-site. Alternately, you can contact Flor Servin in Wenatchee at (509) 662-0590 or by e-mail at fservin@agr.wa.gov to seek assistance in putting on a training program.

Newsletter Articles

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WPS Train the Trainer Courses

Course Schedule

Newsletter Articles

Program History

WSDA began its Farmworker Education program after field research revealed that both agricultural employers and employees lacked awareness of personal protective equipment requirements. At first, the program concentrated on providing Spanish language prelicense and worker training in eastern Washington. Both of these types of programs continue to exist today. The prelicense training is aimed at Hispanic foreman and consists of six days of intensive coursework followed by a Private Applicator exam session. The worker training courses are two-hours long and provide general pesticide safety information. They are attended by farmworkers and their families. 

Today, prelicense training is delivered throughout Washington to employees of all types of agricultural industries including tree fruits, wine and table grapes, Christmas tree farms, nursery and greenhouses and forestry. Through a partnership with the Washington State University Pesticide Education Program, Washington became one of the first states to provide both the Private Applicator Study Manual and corresponding exam in Spanish. 

In recent years, the program has placed an emphasis on increasing the availability of Spanish language pesticide license recertification courses. Program staff actively participates in recertification courses and assist other bilingual individuals in preparing Spanish pest control related presentations. 

With the implementation of the revised Worker Protection Standard (WPS), the general pesticide safety classes have expanded to include more comprehensive training programs for pesticide handlers. These consist of 2-4 hour classroom courses, all-day, hands-on training programs and Train-the-Trainer workshops. 

The program has recognized many accomplishments since it began. Over 20,000 individuals, primarily those from the highest vulnerability group of young, Hispanic males, have been trained to work safely around pesticides and their residues. 

Farmworkers benefit from the program by learning how to protect themselves, their fellow employees and their families from pesticides. Agricultural employers benefit from the program because their worker and handler employees have received free WPS required training and documentation and their Hispanic applicators are properly licensed to apply pesticides. All of these save employer time and help to ensure a safer, healthier workforce.

For further information on WSDA's Farmworker Education Program, you may contact Margaret Tucker at (360) 902-2015 or mtucker@agr.wa.gov.

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Crop Sheets

NOTE:  The Crop Sheets are currently being revised.  The updated versions will be posted soon. 

The Crop Sheets are intended to assist employers and others with safety training for agricultural workers for some of the more commonly used or highly toxic pesticides. We have tried to limit the life of the crop sheets by including the year and having only one current version available on the website, but given the frequency of label changes, users must read and abide by the label on the product they are using. These crop sheets are intended only as an aid in safety training.

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