About Us


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About Us

WSDA began its Technical Service and Education Program (TSEP), previously known as “Farmworker Education Program” back in 1998 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 pre-license and pesticide handler training in Central Washington. Although the pre-license course continues to be offered, the program has changed significantly in last ten years due to the increased demand for pesticide safety education. Forcing the program, not only to increase the number of workshops, but also to create new educational programs.

Therefore, the Technical Service and Education Program now offers the following courses*:
  • Pre-license Private Applicator Classes - 4 hours per day for 5 day courses – 8 hours per day for 3 day courses.
  • WPS Train-the-Trainer – 2-day course
  • WPS Train-the-Trainer Refresher – 4- hours course
  • Hands-on Pesticide Handler Training - 8- hour course
  • Hands-on Respirator Fit Test -Train-the-Trainer - 6- hour course
  • Spray Application Equipment Best Management Practices Workshop - 8- hour course
  • On-site Air-blast Calibration and BMPs Technical Assistance 
  • Pesticide Recertification Courses
*Training materials and curriculums are updated on the yearly basis to address emerging issues.

The whole agriculture industry has tremendously benefited from the program by learning about pesticide rules, how to protect people and the environment from pesticide exposures and by overall having a safer and healthier workplace. Currently, Washington State has one of the most robust pesticide safety training in the nation.

CONTACT US

Ofelio Borges
TSEP Manager
(509) 952-8236, oborges@agr.wa.gov
Flor Servin
Program: WPS Pesticide Handler Training, and Spanish Private Applicator
(509) 423-0242, FServin@agr.wa.gov
Joe Hoffman
Program: Waste Pesticide 
(360) 951-4582, JHoffman@agr.wa.gov 
Jeff Robison
Program: WPS Train the Trainer
(509) 571-3318, Jrobison@agr.wa.gov

Manuel Ornelas
Program: Pre-license and Waste Pesticide 
(509) 961-4605, MOrnelas@agr.wa.gov

Josue Jimenez
Program: WPS Pesticide Handler Training
(509) 669-7031, JJimenez@agr.wa.gov
 
Jacqueline Chavez
Administrative Services
(509) 406-4083, JChavez@agr.wa.gov

Orlando Pelcastre 
Program: Train the Train 
(509) 864-7298, Orlando.Pelcastre@agr.wa.gov



 
David Trevino
Program: TA's & BMP's 
(509) 907-4486, david.trevino@agr.wa.gov

Anabella Valdovinos 
Pesticide Educator Specialist 
(564) 669-4739, anabella.valdovinos@agr.wa.gov

 
William (Bill) Sennett
Program: Respirator Program 
(509) 564-8332, william.sennett@agr.wa.gov