Facebook
X (Twitter)
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
LinkedInPosts Tagged: agricultural
Poison Prevention Now and Forever
UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), poisoning is the number one cause of injury-related death in the United States, and 1073 people in California were poisoned by pesticides in 2014 alone. Each year since 1962, National Poison Prevention Week has taken place during the third week of March, to raise awareness about avoiding these tragedies. No one wants their workers or family members to experience illness or death from pesticide exposure, so the UC IPM Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) would like to bring special attention to preventing pesticide poisoning this week. The program also published a new edition of The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticidesin 2016, which contains a wealth of pesticide safety and hazard prevention information for people who work with pesticides.
Both agricultural and household pesticides can poison people if they are not properly handled. In agriculture, poisoning most often results from pesticide mixing and loading, and the most harm occurs due to spills, splashes and equipment failure. In the home, many pesticide poisoning incidents involve children swallowing pesticides, including garden products, disinfectant cleaners, or other chemicals used to control pests.
One of the most important things you can do to prevent pesticide poisoning is to follow the instructions on the pesticide label. Labels address critical information about how to use a pesticide safely, including the kind of personal protective equipment (PPE) you should wear to prevent overexposure, how much of the product to apply, the minimum time you must wait to enter the area after applying the pesticide (the restricted entry interval), and the minimum time that must pass between application and harvest (preharvest interval).
Labels also include important signal words such as “Danger,” “Warning,” or “Caution” that indicate how acutely toxic the chemical is to humans, as well as directions to avoid pesticide contamination of sensitive areas such as schools and hospitals. These instructions are meant to protect anyone who is at risk of being exposed to hazardous pesticide residues. It is essential to thoroughly read and understand the pesticide label before working with the pesticide, and to carefully comply with label instructions throughout the process. The UC IPM guide to Understanding Pesticide Labels for Making Proper Applications can help you do this, and is available in both English and Spanish.
If you apply pesticides in or around your home, be sure to store them properly and keep them out of the reach of children. Keep in mind that even mothballs may look like candy to very young children. It is illegal and unsafe to store pesticides in food or drink containers, which can easily fool people into consuming them and being poisoned. According to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, these mistakes caused 62 incidents of child poisoning from pesticide ingestion in California in 2014, and 47 of those cases involved children under six years of age.
To learn more about poisoning and how to prevent it, consider visiting the following resources:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention Leading Causes of Death Reports
National Poison Prevention Week website
National Pesticide Information Center
UC IPM online course: Proper Pesticide Use to Avoid Illegal Residues
Pestcide safety
pesticide help
Ag labor management seminars offer keys to success in times of labor uncertainty
UC Cooperative Extension will hold workshops in Temecula Feb. 1 and 2 to help California agricultural employers facing many challenges including labor shortages, wage & hour laws, joint liability, worker safety, workers comp insurance, and immigration issues and policies.
“Agricultural employers and managers are better prepared to face uncertainty in labor markets with up-to-date information and strategies for dealing with people management, and legal and regulatory issues,” said Ramiro Lobo, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor in San Diego County and workshop organizer. Additional program partners are the California Farm Labor Contractor Association, Zenith Insurance Company and Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards.
“Management and Supervision of Personnel for Agricultural Operations,” will be offered in Spanish on Feb. 2. The program, intended for agricultural employers/managers and first-line supervisors, provides information on effective supervision and management in times of labor shortage, updates on labor laws and regulations, positive and clear communications, and preventing sexual harassment and bullying.
“Properly managing personnel is critical because of the scarcity of labor,” Lobo said. “We will provide strategies to retain employees by making the workplace more attractive.”
Advance registration is available with a credit card at http://ucanr.edu/2017aglaborseminar. Registration for the Feb. 1 workshop is $80 per person before Jan. 20, and $100 after or at the door, if space allows. Registration for the Feb. 2 workshop is $60 per person before Jan. 20, and $80 after or at the door, if space allows. A registration discount is available for participants to attend both events. For both events, registration is $120 before Jan. 20, and $140 after or at the door, if space allows.
For more information visit the event website at http://ucanr.edu/2017farmlaborseminar
7:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
7:50 am Welcome, Introductions, Acknowledgments, and Overview
8:00 am A Review of Labor Management Issues in Southern California – Panel Discussion
Mike Mellano, Mellano and Company ? Greg Pennyroyal, Wilson Creek Winery & Winery ? Eric Larson, San Diego County Farm Bureau
9:00 am Wage & Hour, Labor Laws Update: Tony Raimondo, Raimondo & Associates
10:00 am BREAK
10:30 am Managing Joint Liability under AB 1897 - Bryan Little, California Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Employer Labor Service
11:15 am The Basics for Legal and Effective Hiring & Orientation for Agricultural Labor - Lupe Sandoval - California Farm Labor Contractor Association
12:00 noon LUNCH
1:00 pm Effective Management of Work Injuries - Chris Boehme, Zenith Insurance Company
1:45 pm Keeping Workers Safe, and Cal OSHA Happy - Bill Krycia, Cal OSHA
2:30 pm BREAK
2:45 pm Selection and Development of Front-Line Supervisors - Lupe Sandoval, California Farm Labor Contractor Association
3:30 pm The H2A Visa Program & What You Need to Know - Jeanne M. Malitz, Malitz Law, Inc.
4:15 pm Labor Shortages – Assorted Strategies – Jeanne Malitz, Malitz Law, Inc., Lupe Sandoval, California Farm Labor Contractor Association and Ramiro Lobo, UCCE San Diego County
5:00 pm Conference Evaluation, Adjourn to Optional Wine Tasting hosted by Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards!!
2017 FarmLaborSeminar Agenda
Citrus Production Manual Now Available
The "Citrus Production Manual" covers the step-by-step process for preparing citrus for production and includes information on diseases and other issues that can affect citrus.
According to the ANR catalog website the manual will assist growers "From deciding scion variety and rootstock, to establishing an orchard, to managing production, to postharvest handling, you'll find it all here in a readable format. Colorful photos and clear diagrams and illustrations guide you through important concepts."
The manual costs $75 and you can order this publication click on the following link.
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3539
Or you can save 25% by bundling the "Citrus Production Manual" with the 3rd edition of "IPM for Citrus" for a cost of only $10 more ($85 for both!). Order the bundle by clicking on the following link.
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3539PROMO
SAVE 10% when you order this manual using the promo code "PREVEN56." This code extends the discount to you and provides a portion of the sale to UC Cooperative Extension Ventura which goes toward maintaining our local programs here.
Orchid and Rose Growing Home Garden Workshop in August
The Master Gardeners of Ventura County will host one of their seasonal home-garden workshops in August. This workshop will focus on "Growing Enviable Orchids and Roses," and will include a continental breakfast, snacks and a docent-guided tour of the Faulkner home.
Gardening experts will guide orchid and rose enthusiasts with techniques to turn their blooms into showcase beauties.
The Master Gardeners love to share their expertise and love of gardening. Workshops are held on Saturdays so more members of the public can participate.
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2014
Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 noon
Location:
Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center
14292 W. Telegraph Rd.
Santa Paula, CA
Fees:
General Public - $20
Master Gardeners - $10
For more information see this flyer; link here to register.
Ventura Museum to Include Agricultural Tours
In addition to enjoying the permanent exhibits, the museum also offers special temporary exhibits showcasing a variety of agriculture related themes.
Guided grade level specific trips are available for kindergarten through 8th grade and guided general interest museum visits for all grades. Prices vary depending on the type of tour chosen.
For more information about this agricultural learning opportunity contact the the Agriculture Museum's Education Coordinator at athille@venturamuseum.org or by phone at 805-585-3100 X103.
To learn more about this program on the internet visit the Agriculture Museum's website.
To register for a tour fill out this registration form.
