EPA Requests Input on Pesticide Safety Education Program for Farmworkers
Released on January 25, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public input on the design of a new National Farmworker Training and Education Program (NFTEP) on pesticide safety. The NFTEP is a grant program funded through the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5) and will support activities such as pesticide safety training, materials development, and outreach to farmworkers.
Farmworkers are at high risk of pesticide exposure because they work closely with pesticides. With the funding provided by PRIA 5, EPA is developing a NFTEP to help reduce the risk of pesticide injury and illness to farmworkers. The NFTEP will also support the implementation of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard, offering required annual pesticide safety trainings for workers.
The Request for Information (RFI) released today lays out potential program design elements and activities to be funded under the NFTEP. The RFI also poses a series of questions to stakeholders about barriers to involvement in safety trainings and education programs and applying for grant funding. Individuals and organizations with experience conducting farmworker education and training are encouraged to comment. Generally, EPA is interested in comments about:
- how to meaningfully involve farmworker communities in the NFTEP grant agreements,
- farmworker communities’ specific language and training needs that should be incorporated into the safety education program materials,
- successful outreach and delivery strategies, and
- topic areas that should be prioritized for grant agreements.
Feedback collected through the RFI will shape the final program and inform the Notice of Funding Opportunity that will be issued so organizations can apply for grant funding. Up to $7.5 million is expected to be awarded in grants over five years.
Responses to the RFI can be submitted via www.regulations.gov using Docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0643 and must be received by 11:59 ET on March 25, 2024.