NASDA Foundation Awarded $3 Million EPA Grant for Pesticide Inspector Training Program

ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation has been awarded a $3 million cooperative agreement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement the Pesticide Inspector Residential Training Program. This funding, effective Aug. 2, will significantly expand the nationwide educational training provided to pesticide inspectors and enforcement staff over the next five years.

PIRT is designed to provide comprehensive educational training to pesticide inspectors and enforcement staff from state-led agencies, territories and tribes that operate under Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act cooperative agreements. The program aims to support participants in designing and implementing effective pesticide regulatory programs, along with addressing complex issues related to pesticide enforcement.

With this cooperative agreement, the NASDA Foundation will double the number of PIRT courses offered annually, including a new bi-annual tribal PIRT training.

"The PIRT Program plays a crucial role in ensuring that our state inspectors are well prepared to meet regulatory standards," NASDA Foundation Senior Director Chris Jones said. "This expansion of PIRT reflects the NASDA Foundation's long-standing commitment to promoting sensible environmental management practices."

Amy Sullivan and Cary Giguere, bringing decades of expertise in managing state pesticide programs and leading cross-state collaborative initiatives, will serve as PIRT administrators under the cooperative agreement.

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The NASDA Foundation is the only educational and research organization that directly serves the nation's state departments of agriculture. The NASDA Foundation's mission is to enhance American food and agricultural communities through education, outreach and research. The NASDA Foundation works with states to nourish people and communities while serving as the stewards of the environment and public trust. To learn more about the NASDA Foundation, please visit nasda.org/nasda-foundation/.