Community Outreach

CAPCA in Your Community

For over 20 years, CAPCA and its members have been giving back to California communities through educational programs and scholarships. These programs and scholarships are overseen by the charitable non-profit Stanley W. Strew Education Fund, named for CAPCA’s founder and first executive director. Today, the SWS Trust provides a $3000 scholarship to college students pursuing a career in the pest management industry, as well as partnership programs with Future Farmers of America (FFA).

PCA and Pesticide Q&A

What is a Pest Control Adviser?

Pest Control Advisers (PCAs) are professional consultants who help reduce damage from pests, diseases and insects while protecting local communities and the environment. In the agricultural sector, PCAs help California growers ensure a safe, abundant food supply with environmentally responsible practices on 9.9 million acres of farmland. Their work plays an important role in the state’s ability to produce one third of America’s vegetables and two-thirds of the nation’s fruits and nuts. In addition to working with farms, ranches, greenhouses and other agricultural producers, PCAs help maintain vegetation along highways and waterways and protect recreational areas from invasive species. PCAs are licensed by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, which maintains the country’s most stringent pesticide laws.

What is a pest? Why (and where) do we use pesticides?

A pest is any organism which has a negative impact on managed land (such as farms, parks and roadways) or native landscape. Pests may include a wide variety of weeds, insects, birds, rodents or pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses or fungus) that transmit diseases or harm natural ecosystems. Pesticides refer to both man-made and naturally-occurring substances which reduce the damage from these unwanted organisms.

Pesticides are used on organic and conventional farms, as well as roadways, parks, forests, schools and in homes. In agriculture, pesticides help improve the quality, consistency and affordability of the food we eat. They also protect non-food crops and stored grain. In our homes and recreational areas, pesticides safeguard public health by reducing risk from harmful molds as well as waterborne and insect-transmitted viruses. Pesticides also help protect natural habitats by controlling invasive species.

What is integrated pest management?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) prevents pest damage by changing the environment in which pests thrive. It may include making several changes at once, such as introducing natural predators and planting native species. California is a global leader in IPM research. PCAs are experts in IPM strategies, advising clients on best practices to reduce pest damage while protecting human and environmental health.

Why are PCAs necessary in California?

California is home to hundreds of invasive species which can cause significant economic and environmental damage. It takes a coordinated effort among county and state officials, growers, businesses and landowners to monitor these threats.

California’s PCA license creates a standardized and regulated system for pest control statewide. The state’s 4,000 PCAs bring highly skilled expertise to their clients. Much of their work involves scouting and monitoring fields for signs of disease. If a pest or disease outbreak occurs, PCAs are licensed to write recommendations for safe and effective pesticide applications.

All PCAs pass a qualifying exam which focuses heavily on IPM as well as the laws, regulations and principles of safe and effective pesticide use. Current PCAs receive 40 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew their license. The PCA license helps California control invasive species and support plant health while minimizing our impact on the environment.

Food

Is it safe to eat conventionally grown fruits and vegetables?

Yes. The United States has one of the safest food systems in the world. Since pesticides are widely used in agriculture, the U.S. EPA establishes a safe limit (known as a “tolerance”) for the amount of pesticide residue that can remain on produce after it is shipped to consumers. A separate agency, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is responsible for testing both domestic and imported food to make sure it falls within the limits.

Is organic produce better?

Americans are encouraged to consume a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, regardless of how the produce is grown. Shoppers often purchase organic produce under the assumption that it is “pesticide-free.” This is not always the case. While no synthetic (man-made) pesticides are allowed in organic production, it often involves the use of pesticides from natural sources. The FDA recommends washing all produce—both conventional and organic—under running water before consumption.

Children & Schools

Do pesticides pose a health danger to children?

Pesticide exposure can occur almost anywhere: at home or work, through consumption of food or water, and outdoors in recreational areas. Most pesticide exposure for the general population occurs at home. Young children may be at a higher risk of exposure because they spend more time outdoors in areas where chemicals are used to control weeds and pests (lawns and parks, for example). Due to the increased risk for children, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation promotes IPM strategies on and near schools and child care facilities. The DPR requires anyone who might apply a pesticide on a school site or at a child care center to take a training course which includes IPM strategies. The PCA license is not yet required to apply pesticides on school sites. However, we hope one day that training and licensing for pesticide use on schools will be equivalent to PCAs in order to add another safeguard for children’s health in public spaces.

Health

How can farmworkers stay safe?

Pesticide labels contain detailed information on correct storage and use. Improper use can result in acute health problems such as dizziness, nausea, headaches and skin and eye problems. Agricultural workers who mix, transport and apply pesticides have the highest risk for exposure. The EPA has taken steps to ensure chemical safety protocols are followed, protecting both farmworkers and communities. Recent revisions to the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard set a minimum age limit (18) for workers and handlers, increase the frequency of worker training, tighten the certification process and establish new record-keeping requirements. The most effective way for agricultural workers to reduce pesticide exposure is to follow instructions and safety guidelines.

How do pesticides affect our water and soil?

The environmental impact of pesticides depends on many factors—most notably, whether the manufacturer’s safety precautions and California’s stringent environmental regulations are followed. Weather, wind and soil quality play important roles in minimizing risks to non-target organisms such as beneficial insects. PCAs are professionally trained and licensed to help growers choose the most environmentally-friendly way to manage pest and disease threats. Already, pesticide use per acre has declined over time due to tighter regulations, better science, and improvements to our understanding of alternative strategies as part of an IPM program. As new technology improves our understanding of pests and diseases, PCAs will continue to protect support plant health and reduce pest threats with minimal impact on the environment.

Regulation

How are pesticides registered and regulated?

The process of commercializing a new pesticide is extremely strict and includes more than 120 health, safety and environmental tests to ensure the safety of active ingredients before approval. In order to register a new pesticide, companies submit extensive data from studies which meet FDA guidelines for human and environmental safety. The FDA assesses the risks and benefits of each active ingredient against the best available peer-reviewed science. Registration typically takes ten years. During this time, application rates, uses and restrictions are created, as well as rules for how information is presented on pesticide labels to ensure proper use.

California’s pesticide laws are the most stringent in the United States, surpassing federal regulations. Once a pesticide is approved at the federal level, it is again reviewed by California’s EPA, which requires additional testing and studies including environmental impact studies for local regulations. Because of these strict standards, pesticides coming to market in 2017 may have been in process and review since 2005.

Advocacy Training Interest

Contact CAPCA to express your interest in advocacy training.

Additional Links

USDA Pesticide Data Program

EPA Pesticide Information

FDA Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program

California Department of Pesticide Regulation

University of California IPM

Ag Teacher Kits

Following the enthusiastic success of the “Ag Teacher Kits” provided to California high school teachers at the California Agricultural Teachers' Association Conference in June 2016 in part through generous grant funding from CDFA. CAPCA and local CAPCA Chapters are sponsoring another set of kits.

Kits include fruit and vegetable ID cards, Weed Pest and Tree Fruit Pest Identification and Monitoring cards, an insect collection kit, a classroom set of hand lenses, a seed ID kit, materials for preserving weed samples and additional resources. Kit materials valued at over $375

In partnership with FFA, kits will be provided to high school teachers attending the workshop at the CATA Conference in June. The workshop will provide teachers with training for using kit and materials in classroom education and FFA programs.

We are grateful for all who participated to make the Ag Teacher Project a success!

FFA Partnership

CAPCA is a committed supporter of Future Farmers of America and looks forward future project to invest in California’s next generation of ag leaders, including curriculum development.