New York Commercial Category 3A/3B - Ornamental, Shade Trees & Turf Bundle
This course bundle is designed for the New York Commercial applicator holding either a 3a (Ornamental, Shade Tree, and Turf) or 3b (Turf) certification. All courses are approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The course bundle contains 7 credits of training approved for categories 3a and 3b, and 3 credits of core training. Please click on Course Details for a list of specific courses.
BUNDLE CONTENTS
Category Training (3a/3b)
- Turfgrass Disease, Insect, and Vertebrate Pests – 1 credit
- IPM for Turf Management – 1 credit
- Pollinator Stewardship – 1 credit
- Application Equipment and Calibration – 1 credit
- Calibration Clinic – Pesticide Sprayers and Spreaders – 1 credit
- IPM for Ornamental Plant Pest Management – 1 credit
- Ornamental Pesticide Application Equipment and Calibration – 1 credit
Core Training
- Personal Protective Equipment and Emergency Response – 1 credit
- Pesticide Labels and Safety Data Sheets – 1 credit
- Respiratory Protection – 1 credit
Turfgrass Disease, Insect, and Vertebrate Pests
Course Description
There are a variety of diseases, disorder, insects and vertebrate pests that can cause problems in turfgrass. Being able to correctly identify these common turfgrass maladies is of utmost importance to turfgrass managers. This course will look at the common diseases and disorder found in turf, and cover the situations and environmental conditions favorable to those diseases. The course also covers common insect and vertebrate pests and how to manage them.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify a disease, describe favorable disease conditions, and recommend treatment strategies for each disease
- Identify common insect turf pests and recommend treatment strategies
- Recognize the preferred habitat for common vertebrate pests and be able to recommend the appropriate deterrent or management strategy
IPM for Turf Management
Course Description
Integrated Pest Management of turfgrasses involves multiple steps; producing a healthy plant, correctly identifying the problem, recognizing that there will always be some pests and damage, and only using pesticides as a last resort. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for turfgrass, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully provide your clients with a healthy and attractive turf stand.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Understand the settings and ecosystems of a turf stand
- Gain an understanding of the issues involved in controlling pests and disease in managed turfgrass
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of turfgrass
Pollinator Stewardship
Course Description
Honey Bee Stewardship. The primary concern plaguing the beekeeping industry is the decline of honey bees around the world. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is the leading cause behind this steady decline in honey bee numbers. There are a number of different factors affecting this decline. This course provides an outline of the best practices concerning honeybee stewardship.
Minimizing Pesticide Risk for Pollinators. Whether applying pesticides in the home garden or in a commercial setting, many of the chemical pesticides used to control insects, fungal disease, and even weeds can hurt non-target pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies. This section will ensure your ability to effectively and efficiently apply pesticides without harming beneficial insects.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify the factors that contribute to colony collapse disorder.
- Recognize the importance of beekeeper/grower communication.
- Describe the importance of pollinators in agriculture and why protecting native pollinators is of great concern.
- Outline the federal and state enforcement and compliance procedure as related to pollinator safety and alternatives to hard chemicals.
Application Equipment and Calibration
Course Description
When pesticide applications become necessary for good turf management, it’s important to understand how application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. Accurate measurement of the area to be treated and properly calibrated equipment are critical to applying pesticides within an acceptable range of the label requirements. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on turf, the way to calculate the area of an irregularly shaped space, and how to properly calculate the flow rate of the equipment.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the different types of equipment used in pesticide applications
- Accurately calculate the square footage of irregular areas
- Accurately calibrate common application equipment
Calibration Clinic – Pesticide Sprayers and Spreaders
Course Description
Proper application of pesticides and fertilizers on turfgrass is only possible with accurately calibrated equipment. These lessons discuss the calibration of three types of application equipment: handheld or back-pack pump-up sprayers, large acreage sprayers, and fertilizer or “dry-granular” spreaders as well as several different calibration techniques.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the baby bottle and the 5940 calibration methods
- Describe the steps to calibrate a boom sprayer
- Describe the steps to calibrate a granular broadcast spreader
IPM for Ornamental Plant Pest Management
Course Description
Integrated Pest Management of ornamental plants involves multiple steps; producing a healthy plant, correctly identifying the problem, recognizing that there will always be some pests and damage, and only using pesticides as a last resort. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for ornamental plants, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully provide your clients with a healthy and attractive landscape.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Discuss several ways to track pest development
- Outline the issues involved in controlling pests and disease in managed landscape situations
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of each ornamental planting
Ornamental Pesticide Application Equipment and Calibration
Course Description
When pesticide applications become necessary for good ornamental plant management it’s important to understand how application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. Accurate measurement of the area to be treated or the number of plants to be treated and properly calibrated equipment are critical to successful control of the pest as well as staying within label requirements. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on ornamental plants, the way to calculate the volume of solution needed, and how to properly calculate the flow rate of the equipment.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the different types of equipment used in pesticide applications
- Accurately calculate the square footage of irregular areas
- Accurately calibrate common application equipment
Personal Protective Equipment and Emergency Response
Course Description
PPE comprises the clothing and devices you wear to protect your body from contact with pesticides. Wearing PPE can reduce exposure (dermal, inhalation, ocular, or oral) and thereby lower the chances of pesticide injury, illness, or poisoning. It is important that all pesticide applicators and handlers understand the protections and limitations of PPE. Proper PPE selection, use, and care are essential.
Although pesticide accidents and emergencies are rare, they do occur. Pesticides spilled on the ground or burning in a fire can contaminate water, soil, and air; damage plants; injure livestock, wildlife, or pets; and endanger the health of the applicator and emergency responders. Pesticide spills and fires may lead to financial loss due to cleanup, liability claims, and fines assessed by government agencies. Do all that you can to prevent accidents, but be prepared in case of emergency.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify where on the label to find the minimum clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) required to handle a given pesticide product.
- State the criteria to properly select skin, eye, and respiratory protection required by the pesticide label based upon your expected use and exposure.
- Discuss how pesticide releases from spills and fires can endanger humans and the environment.
- Explain how to execute an emergency response plan.
Pesticide Labels and Safety Data Sheets
Course Description
Pesticide labels and safety data sheets (SDS) contain much of the same information. While the label is considered the law, that is not the case with an SDS. As an applicator, it is vital to understand the difference between a pesticide label and a safety data sheet and know what information can be found in each document. This course, which has been approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will review the various parts of pesticide labels and safety data sheets to identify the similarities and differences.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the content and sections of pesticide labels and safety data sheets (SDS).
- Outline the differences between information such as signal words and PPE on pesticide labels and safety data sheets.
- Explain how to use pesticide labels and safety data sheets to prepare applications.
Respiratory Protection
Course Description
Environments with insufficient oxygen, harmful dust, fog, smoke, mist, gases, vapors, and sprays require workers to wear respirators for protection. Exposure to these hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, diseases, or death. Some pesticide labels require a respirator as part of personal protective equipment. This course, which is approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, showcases the types of respirators available, proper fit, and inspection/maintenance requirements.
At the end of this course, participants will learn to:
- Discuss the different types of respirators and when to use them properly.
- Delineate the steps of a successful fit test.
- Understand the necessary care and maintenance required for each type of respirator.