CANCELLED - In-Person 2020 Worker Protection Standard Training & DEC Special Permit Training
UPDATE: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has approved a revised Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Special Permit Training (SPT) Program for 2020. This will accommodate current restrictions on public meetings, recommendations for social distancing, and projected delays in H2A guest worker processing. Our previously announced SPT in-person training sessions scheduled in Wayne and Orleans counties for April 7 and 8 have been cancelled.
Although we will provide more details on how the training will look soon, for now I want to stress to everyone that trainings will be offered this spring, and that the pre-registration deadline of March 30th is especially critical this year.
View Details for more info.
Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test. This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit.
Workers requiring general pesticide training/Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Handler training who do not need special permits are welcome to take the class; they will not be tested and will receive a course participation certificate.
Event Details
Date
April 7, 2020
Location
Cornell Cooperative Extension Wayne County
Cost
English Speaking Special Permit & WPS Training : $20.00
(addl attendee $20.00 ea.)
Spanish Speaking Special Permit & WPS Training : $20.00
(addl attendee $20.00 ea.)
English Speaking Worker Protection Standard Training ONLY : $20.00
(addl attendee $20.00 ea.)
Spanish Speaking Worker Protection Standard Training ONLY : $20.00
(addl attendee $20.00 ea.)
At The Door Price
At the Door : $40.00
Host
Lake Ontario Fruit ProgramWayne County In-Person Special Permit Training Cancelled
Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test. This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit. The labels that will be covered include Lorsban Advanced, Endigo ZC, Warrior II with Zeon Technology, Agri-Mek SC, Beseige, Leverage 360, Danitol 2.4EC, Mustang Maxx, Asana XL, and Lannate LV.
- Gramoxone has been deleted from the 2020 approved SPT FRUP list, Special Permit holders will not be authorized to apply Gramoxone in 2020, no matter if the product has last season's "legacy" label or the "new" label (which was NYSDEC accepted 12/23/2019).
- The application of Lorsban by Special Permit holders in 2020 will be restricted to a single trunk spray inapple orchards for borer control. No other Lorsban applications by Special Permit holders (for example: Onion transplant drench for maggot, or pre-bloom foliar on apples) will be permitted.
The restrictions above pertain to Special Permit holders only. NYS Certified Applicators are still allowed to use Gramoxone and Lorsban to the full extent allowed by the NYS label
New York DEC notes that the Special Permit process is intended for farm workers with English language skills that are not adequate to pass the DEC private applicators exam. All others are encouraged to apply for their private applicators license via taking the certification exam.
Certified Supervisors are required to attend the first 30 minutes of training.
Workers requiring general pesticide training/Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Handler training who do not need special permits are welcome to take the class; they will not be tested and will receive a course participation certificate.
When registering please be sure to add all the participants names under the appropriate date, language, and level of training needed. By increasing the information that we collect now we can decrease the time it takes to sign in at the beginning of the event.
For those certified applicators registering for the Special Permits, only your DEC pesticide applicators license number is needed in the "NOTE TO US" section of the registration form. If the certified applicator is not registering please be sure to add their name and DEC pesticide applicators license number in the "NOTE TO US" section of the registration form.
Event Details
Date
April 8, 2020
Location
Orleans County Cooperative Extension
Cost
English Speaking Special Permit & WPS Training : $20.00
(addl attendee $20.00 ea.)
Spanish Speaking Special Permit & WPS Training : $20.00
(addl attendee $20.00 ea.)
English Speaking Worker Protection Standard Training ONLY : $20.00
(addl attendee $20.00 ea.)
Spanish Speaking Worker Protection Standard Training ONLY : $20.00
(addl attendee $20.00 ea.)
At The Door Price
At the Door : $40.00
Host
Lake Ontario Fruit ProgramOrleans County In-Person Special Permit Training Cancelled
Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test. This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit. The labels that will be covered include Lorsban Advanced, Endigo ZC, Warrior II with Zeon Technology, Agri-Mek SC, Beseige, Leverage 360, Danitol 2.4EC, Mustang Maxx, Asana XL, and Lannate LV.
- Gramoxone has been deleted from the 2020 approved SPT FRUP list, Special Permit holders will not be authorized to apply Gramoxone in 2020, no matter if the product has last season's "legacy" label or the "new" label (which was NYSDEC accepted 12/23/2019).
- The application of Lorsban by Special Permit holders in 2020 will be restricted to a single trunk spray inapple orchards for borer control. No other Lorsban applications by Special Permit holders (for example: Onion transplant drench for maggot, or pre-bloom foliar on apples) will be permitted.
The restrictions above pertain to Special Permit holders only. NYS Certified Applicators are still allowed to use Gramoxone and Lorsban to the full extent allowed by the NYS label
New York DEC notes that the Special Permit process is intended for farm workers with English language skills that are not adequate to pass the DEC private applicators exam. All others are encouraged to apply for their private applicators license via taking the certification exam.
Certified Supervisors are required to attend the first 30 minutes of training.
Workers requiring general pesticide training/Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Handler training who do not need special permits are welcome to take the class; they will not be tested and will receive a course participation certificate.
When registering please be sure to add all the participants names under the appropriate date, language, and level of training needed. By increasing the information that we collect now we can decrease the time it takes to sign in at the beginning of the event.
For those certified applicators registering for the Special Permits, only your DEC pesticide applicators license number is needed in the "NOTE TO US" section of the registration form. If the certified applicator is not registering please be sure to add their name and DEC pesticide applicators license number in the "NOTE TO US" section of the registration form.
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Upcoming Events
How to Diversify or Scale Up with Confidence for Profitability - Inspired by Annie's Project
February 4, 2026
February 11, 2026
February 25, 2026
Do you have an idea for a new enterprise to add value to your farm? Maybe you're considering scaling up for a potential market opportunity but just aren't sure if it's a good fit for your business. Join Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Allegany County, Broome County, Madison County, Onondaga County, Niagara County, Tioga County, the Niagara Small Business Development Center, and the Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Team for a hybrid series on Wednesdays in February, starting on February 4th that will answer these questions and more. Annie's Project seeks to empower farm women through education, networks and resources. We welcome, and encourage, learning and sharing amongst farm women as we help you grow as decision-makers and leaders on your farm.
2026 Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium Winter Webinar Series
February 4, 2026 : Management of Up and Coming Strawberry Diseases in the Northeastern United States
Session 1: Management of Up and Coming Strawberry Diseases in the Northeastern United States
February 11, 2026 : Kiwiberry Production in the Northeast
Session 2: Kiwiberry Production in the Northeast
February 18, 2026 : Heat Mitigation- Sunburn and Fruit Coloring
Session 3: Heat Mitigation- Sunburn and Fruit Coloring
February 18, 2026 : The Dating Game- Updates in Lepidopteran Mating Disruption
Session 4: The Dating Game- Updates in Lepidopteran Mating Disruption
March 4, 2026 : USEPA Endangered Species Act Strategies and Pesticide Use
Session 5: USEPA Endangered Species Act Strategies and Pesticide Use
March 11, 2026 : Practical Drought Management for Fruit Growers
Session 6: Practical Drought Management for Fruit Growers
I thought I was covered for that! Farm Insurance Webinar Series, Jan-Feb 2026
January 13, 2026 : Session 1: Insurance and Risk Management 101
Insurance and Risk Management 101. This first webinar will cover many of the general provisions found in insurance policies and describe some of the terms to be aware of when you are considering your options. Steve Hadcock, Capital District Hort Team and Greg Murk, FarmNet.
January 20, 2026 : Session 2: Liability Insurance
Coverage for the risk that your business will cause harm to someone. Are you having people on your farm or selling a food product? You might need liability insurance. Robert Hadad, Cornell Vegetable Program, Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
January 27, 2026 : Session 3:Protecting Yourself from Disasters (Crop Insurance, USDA FSA programs and Flood Insurance)
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February 3, 2026 : Session 4: Insuring People (health, life and disability insurance)
Options for health insurance, life insurance and disability insurance, and how they can help farmers and their employees. Maire Ullrich, CCE Orange County and Lucas Smith, Cornell Ag Workforce Development
February 10, 2026 : Session 5: Property Insurance
Insuring your infrastructure, equipment, and livestock from loss. Learn about the types of coverage, and the risks they reduce. Colin Hostetter, Tri-County Ag Team, Desiree Keever, CCE Delaware County and Steve Glick, Kevin Daniels Agency.