Hmong-language pesticide safety videos now online
DPR, Fresno State University, and UCCE create pesticide safety videos for Hmong farmers
916-445-3974 | Charlotte.Fadipe@cdpr.ca.gov
Geoffrey Thurner
559-278-7211 | gthurner@csufresno.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Sacramento) – A new Hmong-language video series covering California pesticide rules and safety is now available online.
The nine-part video series – Complying with Pesticide Laws and Regulations in California – is part of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s (DPR) continuing mission to reach California’s farming communities. It covers a number of topics including using personal protective equipment, understanding pesticide product labels and application permit requirements. The video can be found at https://bit.ly/fs-dpr-hmong-pesticide-video.
“DPR works with all types of farmers on pesticide issues and it’s critical that they use these tools safely – regardless of the language they speak,” explained DPR Director Val Dolcini “This video project, the first of its kind to use Hmong speakers, will help foster safer use of pesticides.”
DPR hopes the Hmong-language videos help foster better understanding of pesticide safety rules to a traditional Hmong agricultural community and ensure proper pesticide handling to reduce potential injuries and/or violations.
DPR helped fund the video series which was created and managed by California State University, Fresno and Fresno University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE). The project took 700 hours over 18 months to complete, including filming and post production. Twelve students and three faculty members were also involved in producing the videos, which were shot in Fresno County and features Hmong farmers.
“This was one of the most rewarding projects I have ever worked on,” said project director Dr. Bill Erysian. “We brought together a unique group of agricultural specialists, students, farmers and video professionals to create a high impact, professional set of educational videos on pesticide compliance for our Hmong farmers here in California.”
The modules in the series are:
- Introduction to California Pesticide Laws
- Checking for Crops Registered on the Label
- Pests and Application Rates on the Label
- Understanding Signal Words
- Following the Restricted Entry Interval (REI)
- Following the Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI)
- Knowing Common Restrictions on the Label
- Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Pesticide Permits and Reporting requirements
Besides being available online, the videos are expected to be used at UC Cooperative Extension events and shared with Hmong farmers. DPR has comprehensive pesticide safety and outreach material available in Punjabi, Spanish and English.
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