Pesticide Worker Safety Cooperative Agreements
The Office of Pesticide Programs administers cooperative agreement programs that align with OPP’s strategic goals and provide the platform for our day-to-day work. The worker safety program cooperative agreements fund projects to educate pesticide applicators, handlers, and farmworkers on working safely with, and around, pesticides.
Below are descriptions of four cooperative agreements. Two of the four have been awarded. One cooperative agreement is open to receive applications and another will be open soon.
Awarded Cooperative Agreements
National Farmworker Training (Awarded in September 2015)
The Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) Exit is the recipient of the National Farmworker Training cooperative agreement. AFOP administers a pesticide safety training program to migrant and seasonal farmworkers with a national network of over 150 pesticide safety trainers in approximately 30 states. Exit Farmworkers receive basic safety training on how to protect themselves against poisoning and injury related to pesticide poisoning, as is required under the EPA's Agricultural Worker Protection Standard, 40 CFR 170.
The first year of the cooperative agreement is funded at $500,000. We expect to award a total of up to $2,500,000 over the five years of the cooperative agreement.
Pesticide Educational Resource Collaborative (Awarded in January 2016)
The University of California Davis Extension (UC Davis) in partnership with Oregon State University (OSU) is the recipient of the cooperative agreement, Pesticide Educational Resource Collaborative (PERC). PERC will support the development of resources and materials to promote the safe use of pesticides and help prevent pesticide exposure to applicators and handlers, workers, and their families. More information on PERC. Exit
With the 2015 revisions to the Worker Protection Standard, and upcoming revisions to the Certified Applicator regulations, it is necessary to update pesticide safety materials with the latest standards. Materials could include:
- brochures;
- factsheets;
- posters;
- videos;
- manuals; and
- mobile tools.
The first year of the cooperative agreement is funded at $1,220,000. We expect to award a total of up to $5,000,000 over the five years of the cooperative agreement.
Applications Closed:
Funds Distribution Programs for Pesticide Safety Education Programs
Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs) are administered mostly through State Cooperative Extension Services at Land Grant Universities. PSEPs provide pesticide applicator training on the safe use of restricted use pesticides by applicators in agricultural, commercial and residential settings. The awardee will establish a system to distribute EPA funds. We expect to award $1,500,000 the first year then $1,000,000 annually, with a total amount of up to $5,500,000 over the five years of the cooperative agreement.
The deadline for applications was December 21, 2016. EPA expects to notify applicants of their status by March 1, 2017.
- This page also includes responses to questions we receive on the solicitation.
Soon to Open for Applications:
Field Implementation Meeting Support RFA
We cooperate with partners and stakeholders on programs and activities to advance the safe use of pesticides. We anticipate a greater need for collaboration with the 2015 revisions to the Worker Protection Standard and upcoming revisions to the Certified Applicator regulations. The grantee will coordinate meetings, workshops and conferences. We expect to award $700,000 the first year, with a total amount of up to $2,500,000 over the five years of the cooperative agreement.