MU pesticide safety program vital to state’s ag economy

February 22, 2024 | By University of Missouri Extension

Agronomist Nick Wesslak is part of a team of MU Extension specialists who present pesticide safety training to adults and youth in Missouri. | Photo courtesy of Sam Polly

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Sam Polly, coordinator of University of Missouri Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program, wants to make Missouri a safer place that allows for its agricultural economy to continue to grow.

Polly says the program is the backbone of agricultural and commercial pest management in Missouri. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries contribute $369 million annually to the state’s economy.

MU Extension and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency observe National Pesticide Safety Education Month in February to raise awareness for pesticide safety education and share best practices for using pesticides in and around the farm and home.

In 2023, Polly and his team taught more than 3,300 people at 130 private applicator training programs and 1,600 people at 35 commercial applicator trainings statewide.

Licensed commercial applicators must pass an exam and participate in continuing education courses on environmentally sound uses of pesticides. The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Pesticide Control mandates commercial applicator training.

Polly’s MU Extension team includes agronomists, agricultural engineers, horticulturists and specialists in natural resources. Daniel Sjarpe serves as assistant coordinator.

In 2023, the team developed, updated or supplemented 18 of the 21 pesticide training manuals needed for Missouri applicators to comply with new federal regulations. The team also created an online private applicator certification/recertification portal for on-demand training.

In addition to teaching pesticide safety to adults, Polly and his team also taught younger groups through 4-H and FFA.

Polly suggests reviewing these tips during National Pesticide Safety Education Month:

Always read and follow the labels on pesticides.
Store pesticides in their original containers with proper labels.
Store pesticides out of the reach of children and pets.
Use the amount specified on the label. Using more will not be more effective and may harm you, your loved ones and the environment.
Wash hands with soap and water after using pesticides. Wash clothes that have been in contact with pesticides immediately and separately from other items.
Don’t let children and pets enter sprayed areas while they are still wet.
Keep pesticides away from food and dishes.

To learn more, search for “pesticide safety” at https://extension.missouri.edu or visit https://www.epa.gov/pesticides.