Politics in an Adult Education Program or Don't Laugh, This Could Happen to YOU!

The Cooperative Extension Division (CED) of the University of Nebraska's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources has presented pesticide applicator training (PAT) for nearly 2 decades. Because Nebraska did not pass the complementary state legislation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as provided in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act as Amended (FIFRA), has operated the training, certification, and enforcement programs. Two classifications of applicators are recognized--private and commercial. Three options for earning certification are offered: attend an EPA-approved training program at a county extension office, complete a self-study manual, or successfully complete an examination. CED has been responsible for planning, organizing, and presenting subject matter content for PAT. From its inception, the PAT program has been conducted in a very traditional classroom format. Because Nebraska has finally passed a law that allows it to assume responsibility for PAT, a task force has been evaluating alternative methods for delivering the PAT program, especially satellite delivery. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has not been receptive to the possibility of extension educators delivering PAT using distance education technology. Although extension agreed to conduct the 1994-95 training cycle in traditional classroom format, it noted that with the 1995-96 cycle CED would need to begin a gradual shift of selected parts of the PAT program to satellite delivery. (YLB)