Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-02-01, Page 3Pestkk1h asail- Reaction to a Grower Pesticide Safety Course, offered by OMAF to Ontario farmers, 'through the Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology, has been better than expected. Lisa 'Harwood of the Ontario Pesticide Education Program, said response to the program has far exceeded expectations. Announced in December 1986 the program was intended to span a five-year period, and to increase awareness of potential pesticide dangers to three groups - the greenhouse operator, the vendor and the grower(farmer). Pesticide is a general term covering insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, "When it was first announced we had speculated working on a course for growers in Year 4 (1990), then, in Year 5 offering that course to a pilot group of farmers." said Ms. Harwood. Grower demand, however, voiced in par- ticular through the Ontario Agricultural Crop Protection Committee (OACPC), a provincial group of representatives from 11 commodity groups, forced movement of that plan forward. "Because of grower pressure and grower demand our priorities changed - and the grower became our number one priority " said Ms. Harwood Development of the Grower Pesticide Safety Course took place in 1987. and u: January and February 1988 (the farmers training session) it was offered by five teachers to a pilot group of 1,500. Ms. Harwood said she speculated 4-5,000 farmers would take the course in 1989. but said the OACPC'had indicated a desire to reach 10,000 farmers this training session "We were a little apprehensive since those 10,000 would all have to be voluntart But the figures show over 8,000 have takee the course already " she said. noting a: least 380 courses are scheduled across On- tario, with eight of those courses offered n, french. There are 19 instructors "Everyone is -surprised ' she said. "Courses are being booked to the max- imum. Huron County is doing really well too, with 25 to 30 courses offered " "We haven't had to do much advertising The courses have been filling up without toe much effort. A farmer will tell his neighbor or a friend or his wife INCREASE AWARENESS • The primary purpose of the pesticide sate• tv course is to increase awareness of the potential dangers of pesticides, both to the person( s) handling them, and to the en- vironment. There has been talk that such a course may be mandatory by 1991. If that does indeed become fact, Ontario farmers who have taken the Grower Pesticide Safety Course, will be that much further ahead. According to Ms. Harwood,' Ontano is the first province in Canada to supply a stan- dard course on pesticide safety. Quebec has legislation in place and is working on its course content, as is. British Columbia. "It (pesticide safety) has always been talked about, but there's always been quite a bit of variation across the province and they country," she said ,. "Right now everyone's watching Ontario to see how it's done and see what effect it course se, THE HURON EXPOSITOR, FEBRUARY 1, 1989 3A standard fog fanners SAFETY FIRST • John Hazlet an instructor tor the Grower Pesticide Safety Course and Seatorth s Milton Diet_ a local pesticide vendor May with a safety apron at a re- cent pesticide sate, course held in Seafortn Photo courtesy of The Rural Voice ..that's the reason they're not de - because they realize the dangers of pesticides..." has. and how farmers are reactin' As stated earlier in this article, farmers it Huron County are reacting tavorabiv to the safety course. And Milton Dietz. a Seaforte based pesticide vendor, is one of the pro vmce's biggest supporters. of the progran. "Milton rs the greater' promote• w: have ' commenter Joh! Hazlit: whr teaches the safety courses in tne counties o Huron. Perth and }eruct "He's very. very positive with tht.;. and hope the rest of the trade is as positive ' Mr. Hazlitt, a atarmer himself. noted tit,e majority of those who take tne course. an already aware of the potential dangers 0 pesticides. but want to update tnemselve:. "Theyare aware of tne pesticides pecans, they've been handime tnen.. But they am realizing the importance of pesticide safer and, the indication a certification course may be mandatory by 1991 " he salt: "fiastcally up until now they've been sale and that s the reason they're not neat • because they realize tne danger., ,of tn. pesticides ' Mr. Hazlitt added nowever the: whim. farmers are aware of the potential danger or pesticides, they are stile amazeu wren confronted with the toxicity uta salt-oo:\ size container of a common Mann pesticide "Every day I hear stories from farmer about cases of slight poisonings. It s rare but it happen:: ' said Mr. Hazlitt "Farmers armers should take this course - tht. whole agricultural sector should take this course ' • Mr. Dietz agreed, but thinks it would be advantageous to, people outside the agricultural sector to take it as well "It's an awareness course " he said 'A lot of people. for example. are fmdmc out that the stuff they are eating every day has a lot more toxicity than the stuff they're using on their farms. They're finding out that aspirins are more toxic than some of the herbicides they are using. People think farmers are the oniy ones using anything dangerous to the environment - but Omani Hydro ranked very high on the list and si did householders ' That goesn't mean tarmers have nothing to worry about. Pesticides vary in their tox- ictty - from being only slightly toxic to being extremely toxic. and farmers generally handle some at each end of the scale. insec•. ticides in general, tend to be more toxic than herbicides or fungicides, simply because. they •are intended to kill insects. which resemble human beings more closely than do weeds or fungus Toxicity itself, is the degree to which a substance is harmful or poisonous_ and scientists measure toxicity of a pesticide by determining its LL) 5(1 value - or the statistical estimate of a chemical dose which when administered will kill 50 per- cent ercent of the test animals within a stated Knowledge of computers given Farmers m the Seaforth area are being given the opportunity to learn how to com- puterize their operations. Courses offered through Centralia Col- lege are being held in Seaforth, Hensel] and Holmesville. The Seaforth course is on computer accounting, and the programs in to area farmers Hensall and Hohnesvilie are for beginners on computers. All courses are eight weeks or 30 hours in duration, can accommodate 15 students, and are being sponsored by the Huron Industrial Training Advisory Committee as a training facility for farmers, so there is no cost to farmers involved Alison Lobb, of Clinton, is the instrgctor for the program, but she is also a farm wife who sees the benefits of computers in a farming operation first-hand. Mrs. Lobb says she uses the computer on her farm every day. It enables her to find statements and records quickly. She can also do more in-depth farm analysis quick- ly , whereas this analysis may not have been done if if had to•be worked out with paper and pencil. But Mrs. Lobb also says farriers can't expect their computers to do everything for them when they initially get them. "I think you have to find one area you want to expand in. And a computer isn't e tune saver for about the first two years, but after that it should be," says Mrs. Lobb An example of expanding into one area , is the accounting course being offered in Seaforth. The course is useful for people who have experience on computers, but there are eight people in the course who have never used a computer. The course is designed for farm computers, and students use the Bedford accounting package, as well as other packages usable on farms. In the beginner course, farmers get an introduction to word processing, spread- sheets and database After taking the basic course most of the students will be buying their own farm computers, and another positive .aspect.of the program is that it gives a bit of infor- mation about computers to prospective buyers. Mrs. Lobb says another of the most ,positive aspects of having a computer on her farm is that she has five children who are also learning how to operate it,.and it is useful for their school projects. The 15 computers in the courses will he moving to Walkerton and oMat'kdale in March, .then the ,program iogld be win- ding down .by the -end 01 ,whiter. Curses will be offered•wherever a need.fortheMis seen. Anyone,interested in a course an con- tact Kathy Biondi kat Centralia College. Ms. Biodf,is:ittterested,fn a)gntiAtting.tar3ri computer,training.•andmOlddslike.to,1 ear from agrigpltural igroups evilio ,are ;in- ,terested,in,this,area of.etiugation. COMPUTER COURSE - Instructor.Allison Lobb -helps Gerry Vanden Henget of RR 5 Seatorth find hisnvaythrough,an,exercise in a course in computer accounting being of- tered in Seaforth. The. courae•issponsored.by the,Huron Industrial Training Advisory Committee,rand•is-avaiiable,freemof-charge to.farmers,who want to learn how to com- puterize their. operations. There.arerbeginning courses.andaccounting courses being offered cuirently-in1Seaforth,and•other i0cations in -Huron. Each course is.elght weeks long. interested ,ipartiesshouid contact Kathy;Biondi at .Centralia College. Corbett photo. period of observation The ID 50 value is commonly expressed as milligrams of substance per kilogram of body weight of the test animal (usually a rat, mouse or rab- bit , The smaller the number the more toxic the substance "This course teaches the level of toxicity . which is very important," said Mr Dietz, "But it also teaches that just about everything is poisoness, except for the dosage. and that there are ways to prevent poisonings ' Mr Dietz added that a highly toxic pesticide can be used without causing a harmful effect - if it is handled properly This safety course teaches proper handling Exposure to pesticides can be minimized, for example, by wearing protective clothing and equipment and by learning to handle and store the pesticides carefully. "Equipment is important, respirators as well," he said. noting the most dangerous form of exposure for farmers is through inhalation "Whether it be the smoke of burning con- tainers or pesticides, the most dangerous thing is inhalation. If you inhale it you can't wash your lungs. You can wash the others. but you can't wash your lungs." But again. all that and more is taught in the course, which is offered at a government subsidized rate of $20 this year. Courses run all day, beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until 2 or 3 p.m., when a final, open -book ex- am is administered. There is no time limit on the exam. "It can be done in 45 minutes." said Mr Hazlitt, adding the presence of an exam shouldn't scare farmers off. "But, they should be aware that there will be one. No matter what license people want they generally have to take an exam for it. This is no exception," he said, adding the ex- am is not a pushover and the classes have to be very attentive during the course. "But that hasn't been a problem so far The farmers have come in with a positive outlook to the exam. and that's the only way to come in. It's hard to be humorous with pesticides. because it's a very seriou business." he said. WORTHWHILE COURSE Bill Murray of RR 5 Seaforth, is one of the area farmers who has already taken the course, and he recommends it wholeheartedly to other farmers. ' "It's worthwhile - a day well spent." he said "I've been a relatively safe farmer. treated the pesticides with respect. but like everyone else 1 probably got careless. I never paid as much attention to labels as l do now that it 1 toxicity) has been explained to me a lot better. I didn't always wear gloves either - I do more now." he said. It's an mcreased awareness like that of Mr. Murray, plus a number of other factors. POISON that Mr Hazlitt said makes the pesticide safety course worthwhile. "I enjoy meeting people and passing on knowledge. 1 always learn something, and at the same time increase the number of people we call friends And if lust 20 people who take the course come nut of it morn knowledgeable then it's worth it," he said, adding that he also touches on WHM1S in his course "I try to show farmers that the rest of the trade is in this too. It's not only farmers that are going through safety awareness You can't go wrong learning more about safety " "This is the biggest issue facing farmers and the urban sector at this time " said Mr Dietz. "Farmers are well aware of the con- troversy that is going on, and wakt to know how to do things properly. People -Nave the misconception that farmers are just ir- responsibly splashing this stuff around They aren't. They requested this, course because they want to increae their knowledge of pesticide safety and lower the risk of personal injury and environmental damage." Courses for area farmers are being of- fered through Milton Dietz. Anyone having any questions or wanting to register, should contact him at527-0608 r,r ., mo s precautionary i. UANGEFI FLAMMABLE EXPLOSIVL Parents take 'Nobody's Perfect' BY HEATHER HENRY Sometimes parents need assistance and trauang in raising children. Nobody's Perfect is a new program in Huron County which teaches parents various skills involved in child rearing, newborns to five -year-olds. "It's really great to a lot of young parents who haven't had a lot of parenting training skills." said Nursing Director Diane Petrie of the Huron County Health Unit. Nobody's Perfect is intended to meet the needs of parents who •are young, single, have a low-income, are poorly -educated or socially, culturally or geographically isolated. The program looks at the five dimensions of child rearing — body, safety, mind, behavior and parents. These areas are discussed between trained nurses and parents by the use of five books and open discussion. It can be on a one-to-one basis or as a group The Nobody's Perfect training unit also includes development charts, growth charts and an emergency telephone sticker The resources are "for keeps" to parents par- ticipating in the program. Currently there are 12 nurses, trained by Health and Welfare, involved with the group. The nurses utilize and develop the program. The program begins in late February. Nobody's Perfect offers moms, and sometimes dads, a chance to be educated on parenting. Much of the time parents aren't aware of how best to eal with toddlers. It is Turn to page ISA Wed . , Feb. 1 11:00 a.m,-1:00 p.m. — Moms and Tots Skating 1:30-4:00 p.m. — Senior Shuffleboard 4:30-5:30 p.m. — Tween Ringette 6:30-8:00 p.m. -- Minor Broomball 8:00-10:30 p.m. — LadlesBroomball Thurs., Feb. 2 1:80 p.m. — Senior Citizens at Legion sial I 4:30-5:30 p.m. — Pee Wee 11 Practice 5:30-6:30 p.m. — Pae Wee 1 Practice 6:30-7:30 —,Minor Broomball 7;30 -12 -Midnight —,Men's Broomball Fri., Feb. 3 5:00-600 p.m. — Junior.Houseleague 6:00-7:00 p.m. — Senlor.Il u,aeleague 7:00-8:00 p.m. —Petite Aingette 8:00 p.m. _ Centenarles vs. 6rusaels •Sat . , 'Feb. 4. 1;30 p.m. —Story liour,at$eatodh Library 7;a0-9;00 a.m. — Figure Skating 9:00 a.m.--Enigmas. Canadians 10:00 a.m. —.,North Stars.vs. %Mars 11:00 a.m. — l.oafsArs. Whalers 12 Noon — P.engulns..vs. .F, Jamas 1100.2;00 p.m. —Ants 2;00-3;00 mm. —r,NoviceAunny.faingette 3:00,4;30,p.m.—,PJ/BWC$KATING 4;30-5;00 p.m. — Novtce.l$$key 6/,104z45Un14ae16.ys,.P.,ee,Woe 11 :(R,I,ilyofls•it,n®c.) Sun., Feb. 5 11:00-12:00 Noon — Hensel' vs. Mites Hockey 12:00-1:00 p.m. — Forest vs. Novice Ringetie 1:00-4:00 p.m. — Centenaires vs. Lucan 4:00-5:00 p.m. — Forest vs. Junior Ringada 5:00-6:00 p.m. — Clinton vs. Tween Ringside 6:00-7:00 p.m. — Forest vs. Junior Ringside 7;00.8:00 p.m. — Huron Park vs. Belle Ringette 8:00-9:30 p.m. — Rangers vs. Bruins 9:50-11:00 p.m. — Hawks vs. Penguins PLAYOFFS Mon . , Feb. 6 4:30-8:30 p.m. — Figure Skating 8:30-10;00 p.m. —.beavers 10:00-11.;00 p.m. —,Midget Prpctloe Tues., -Feb. 7 5:30-6;30 p.m. — Minor .Hockey 6;30-8000 p.m. —.Bantam 8;U0 -10A0 -p.m. —,Midget Wed . , Feb. 1:00.3;00 p.m. —Moms & Tots;Sfl$tln9 1;3y-4:00 p.m. —, erdorAbtrft{eJs and 64048400, p.m. —41111,00#0..9M -k dl 8;Oe,p.m.—;Nyejorfh.ktmtign.Ilso l'A lacy .mots ateSltatorxhsPypJloeSchyol 8;0.040;80 p.m. —Mania 1; . ball