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.
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beets
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Grapes
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
Keeseville, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on July 15 for our annual Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Meeting! This year we will be meeting at Hart Apple Farm to learn about the varieties they are growing in one of their newer plantings, hear updates from faculty and extension agents on their current research projects, and view a few of Mike's local thinning projects firsthand.
DEC credits in categories 22, 1A, and 10 will be available. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect. Rain date is July 16.
2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
Kinderhook, NY
Join specialists Heather Kase, Scott Cosseboom, Nathaniel Westrick, and Anna Wallis for updates and a review of berry phenology and pest management. Presentations will be given on berry horticultural and pest management considerations for strawberries, blueberries, brambles, and minor fruit crops. Light refreshment & snacks will be provided. Registration is encouraged but there is no fee for attendance. 1.00 DEC credit will be available in categories 10, 1a, and 22
Field Day at Philia Farm
August 6, 2026
Johnstown, NY
Visit organic seed production trials and tour the farm to see small-scale production systems at work, including tarping, cover cropping, and the use of assorted mulches and covers to modify the growing environment.