Navigating pesticide concerns - tips for farming neighbors

By Blake Jackson

Planting season brings farm activity into focus, and sometimes, that includes pesticide applications. These applications can raise concerns among neighbors, leading to questions and potential tension. Here's how to navigate these situations effectively.

Understanding Your Legal Obligations

While commercial applicators must notify individuals with hypersensitivity listed in a specific registry, private applicators generally don't have a legal obligation to share pesticide information with neighbors. However, fostering good relationships with those around you is always a good idea.

Approached by a concerned neighbor? Here are some tips:

• Listen actively: Acknowledge their worries and try to see things from their perspective.
• Speak plainly: Avoid technical jargon and use relatable examples. Explain that pesticides target specific pests, like herbicides for weeds or insecticides for insects.
• Focus on responsible application: Highlight the use of pest thresholds and only applying when necessary for economic and environmental reasons. Briefly explain Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, where pesticides are a last resort.
• Transparency builds trust: If comfortable, offer to show your neighbor your spray equipment's precision application capabilities.

Recordkeeping is Essential

Maintain thorough records of your pesticide applications, regardless of certification level. These detailed records can:

• Demonstrate responsible practices: In case of a complaint, records show your commitment to safety and responsible use.
• Evaluate effectiveness: Analyze past applications to refine future strategies.

Pesticide Hypersensitivity Registry

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture maintains a registry for individuals with verified hypersensitivity to pesticides. Commercial applicators must notify people on this registry within a specific timeframe before applying pesticides near their listed locations.

Formal Complaints and Legal Disputes

If a neighbor files a formal complaint, inspectors will investigate. All applicators are legally obligated to share their records with the Department of Agriculture upon request. For legal disputes related to pesticides, resources are available through the Farm Bureau.

By following these tips, you can approach conversations about pesticide applications with confidence and maintain positive relationships with your neighbors.

Photo Credit: istock-fotokostic