Title

Pesticide Training Helps Farmers Reduce Input Costs

Relevance

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"background":"#fefefe","color":"#343741"},"insert":"Most farmers need to pay a contractor in order to spray restricted-use pesticides on their farms if they don’t have a license to do so. At $8 per acre, applied three times each growing season, the cost can really add up. On average, a farmer in Jackson County, Florida can expect to spend more than $2,400 on pest control each season."},{"insert":"\n"}]}

Response

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"background":"#fefefe","color":"#343741","bold":true},"insert":"Ethan Carter"},{"attributes":{"background":"#fefefe","color":"#343741"},"insert":", a regional specialized Extension agent in Florida’s Panhandle, had an idea—why not train farmers to have their own licensed pesticide applicators?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"background":"#fefefe","color":"#343741"},"insert":"As part of his job, Ethan trains pesticide applicators to earn their licenses through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. His trainings, which emphasize safe, economical and environmentally sustainable pesticide application, are offered free or at a much-reduced rate compared to industry equivalents."},{"insert":"\n"}]}

Results

{"ops":[{"attributes":{"color":"#343741","background":"#fefefe"},"insert":" In 2024, Carter trained 366 applicators to earn their licenses, which gets them increased salaries over non-licensed ag workers.In addition, Carter helped 77 new farm workers to earn licenses last year, boosting their paychecks and saving their employers from having to contract with outside companies."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#343741","background":"#fefefe"},"insert":"Combined, Carter’s pesticide applicator training program had an economic impact of over $5 million."},{"insert":"\n"}]}

Public Value Statement

{"ops":[{"insert":"By training farm employees to get their pesticide licenses, UF/IFAS Extension in Florida's panhandle helped farmers save money and farm workers to gain higher wages, a combined economic impact of over $5 million.\n"}]}

Primary Focus Area

Agricultural Systems

Secondary Focus Area

None Selected

Impact Statement