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- Tangi-Washington Grower Update - 13 October 2023
To receive a notification through the Remind text messaging system when a Tangi-Washington Grower Update is posted, please contact Mary Helen Ferguson. Click here for links to previous Tangi-Washington Grower Updates.
It hasn’t been very long since the last TWGU, but I’ve learned about several things – including some events that are occurring soon – since the last Update.
We’ve been asked to provide estimates, in response to specific questions, about effects of heat and drought on crops in our parishes. This is especially difficult for horticultural crops, due to the number of individual crops and the range of production practices used. If you have time and don’t mind answering a few questions, please give me a call, or let me know when is a good time to give you a call. We’re asked to provide estimates by the end of next week, so if you have information to contribute, please let me know by next Wednesday, October 18.
Workers (other than owners and immediate family members) on farms that produce fruit, vegetable, nursery, or other crops are generally required to have WPS training each year before beginning work in the field (more information, click here). The training must be provided by someone who has a pesticide license AND has completed WPS train-the-trainer training. Because of updates to WPS regulations, those who have not had WPS Train-the-Trainer training since November 2016 need to attend in order to continue providing WPS training.
The training costs $25 will last from 9 AM until approximately 11:30 AM.
If you need this training, please let me know, and I’ll pass your information on to LSU AgCenter Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator office. They will send a registration form and more information.
From the organizers: “This phase of the program is considered the classroom phase and includes presentations on conservation planning, horticultural BMPs, watershed and Scenic Rivers, and other environmental information. This phase is just one component of the voluntary program and producers who complete all three phases may apply for certification from the Commissioner of Agriculture and are in presumed compliance with state soil and water quality standards. … We are asking that participants pre-register but there is no cost to attend.”
Contact Dr. Donna Gentry (MasterFarmer@agcenter.lsu.edu or 318-613-9278) to pre-register (by Oct. 18) or for more information. Learn more about the Master Farmer program here.
Click here for more information or to register.
Topics on the agenda include the following: symptomology of herbicides; tank cleaning demonstration and team tank cleans; risk management, crop loss, marketing windows, and budget videos; pesticide rules and regulations, record keeping, LDAF compliance and sampling procedures; general pesticide safety and pesticide certification requirements; and worker safety / crop damage claims.
From the organizers: “We are excited to invite you to an herbicide drift workshop on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. The workshop will take place at the LSU Botanical Gardens at 4560 Essen Lane Baton Rouge LA 70809 from 8am to 4:30pm. Lunch is provided but you must RSVP to aholzapfel@agcenter.lsu.edu or kkfontenot@agcenter.lsu.edu . This workshop will count for recertification of private and commercial applicator licenses. This workshop is jointly hosted by the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and sponsored by a Southern Extension Risk Management Education Grant. … Learn how herbicides affect tomato & cucurbit crops, understanding budgets, proper tank clean out, pesticide safety, licensing, testing, reporting protocol & more.”
Click here for more information or to reserve a spot.
Let me know if you have questions.
Contact Mary Helen Ferguson, Ph.D.
The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.