By Valley Ag Voice Staff
Kern County Farm Bureau’s 18th Annual Spray Safe Event kicked off at 7 a.m. on Jan. 19 with an ag trade show featuring products such as GUSS and Ag Spray Equipment. At the event, over 600 attendees learned proper agriculture safety when applying pesticides.
In a prior interview, Spray Safe chair Dan Palla explained that growers and employees must maintain their knowledge of agriculture safety and stay updated on regulatory challenges.
“Laws constantly change. So, growers need to be updated on laws, they need to be reminded of the things that they already should be doing and are doing,” Palla said. “Our laws are so rigorous, complicated and it takes reminding to remember all the rules and laws you’re supposed to obey, especially on pesticides.”
A majority of the attendees are agricultural employees, Rachel Nettleton, executive director of KCFB explained. Spray Safe presents an opportunity for the agriculture industry to learn about the safe application of chemicals and new regulations through workshops and presentations in English and Spanish.
Attendees were split into groups and rotated through different stations to hear from various organizations such as the Kern County Fire Department, Highway Patrol, and the Department of Pesticide Regulations.
“It’s kind of a strange thing…if you take a year off or a year or two off of educating yourself on the pesticide laws and the rules, you’re gonna get yourself in trouble,” Palla said. “They change rules, they change definitions. You never know what they’re gonna change. It’s a constant challenge to keep up.”
At the end of the learning sessions, KCFB hosted a raffle item giveaway with various prizes including wallets, catering gift cards, laptop cases, and more.
