• Bring pesticide coordinators in the southern region together to address issues of importance related to pesticide safety education. The group exchanges information on successful and/or novel approaches to educating pesticide applicators on the correct use of pesticides and other pesticide issues.

• The pesticide coordinators have agreed to change the name from Pesticide Applicator Training to Pesticide Safety Education to better reflect the broader mission of the group. The annual meeting of the group was moved from the Fall to the Spring. The minutes from the September 2001 meeting are attached. Working sessions at the 2002 meeting included discussions on production of a multi-state southern region category 10 manual, writing certification exams, pesticide programs for non-certified/non-traditional audiences, label issues, and a demonstration of equipment and systems for pesticide handling to reduce exposure.

• Dr. Monte Johnson (USDA CSREES) has appointed a committee to discuss possible changes in the funding formula. Representatives from each of the regions have been selected.

• Entomologists, Plant Pathologists, and Weed Scientists

• Same

• All southern region states and Puerto Rico

• The coordinators invite representatives of the pesticide regulation division of the state departments of agriculture. There is very good participation from these. A CSREES representative attends. EPA representatives usually attend. The coordinators usually invite an industry representative to address an issue such as FQPA, Worker Protection, etc.

• Jim Criswell, Oklahoma State University, was the program chair for the 2001 meeting. Gene Burgess, University of Tennessee, was the local host. Pat Hipkins and Mike Weaver of Virginia Tech hosted the group this Spring in Roanoke, Virginia.

• C. Michael French, University of Arkansas

• The group meets annually in May/June. Next year’s meeting will be in early June 2003 in Oklahoma City.

For more information about the Southern Region Program Leaders, contact Bonnie Teater