WSDA and WSU Host Western Region Pesticide Meeting in Vancouver, WA
Earlier this month, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and Washington State University (WSU) had the honor of cohosting the Western Region Pesticide Meeting in Vancouver, WA. The event brought together more than 70 attendees in person and over 80 virtual participants, representing a wide array of states and U.S. territories. This was the first in-person meeting of this group since 2018. Some participants traveled more than 20 hours from as far away as American Samoa and Guam to take part in the discussions.
The regional meeting is a vital opportunity for federal and state pesticide regulators, tribal representatives, extension agents, researchers, and other stakeholders to collaborate on emerging pesticide issues across the Western Region. This year’s agenda featured engaging panels and discussions covering a wide range of topics, from pesticide registration and enforcement updates to endangered species protections, pollinator protection, pesticide drift, and emerging technologies.
One of the most memorable parts of the week was the field tour, which provided participants with a firsthand look at how pesticide-related concerns intersect with habitat protection and farm-level decision-making. Attendees visited a diversified direct marketing farm to learn about protected species and habitat mitigation efforts, explored the intricacies of pesticide use on a golf course, and toured both conventional and organic berry farms to gain insight into real-world practices and challenges.
“This meeting reflects the strength of our regional partnerships and our shared commitment to responsible pesticide use and environmental stewardship,” said Kelly McLain, Assistant Director of the Agricultural Environmental Services Division at WSDA. “Bringing together voices from across the West — including our colleagues from other territories — helped enrich the conversation and advance solutions that work for diverse landscapes and communities.”
WSDA extends its gratitude to all who participated in this meaningful event. Collaboration across agencies, sectors, and geographies is what moves our work forward, and this meeting was a powerful example of that in action.