- (Condition Change) Increased workforce retention and competency
- Author: Peter Ako Larbi
- Author: Franz J.A. Niederholzer
UC ANR supports California's almond crop protection workforce through Airblast Sprayer Calibration Trainings to maintain or improve their technical knowledge. 100% of participants reported both learning professional skills and their intent to adopt practices that can improve the sustainability and profitability of California ag.
The Issue
For efficient and effective pesticide spray application, all sprayers should be calibrated as often as necessary throughout the growing season of almonds, especially when dealing with orchards of different ages and sizes. Calibration is considered a best practice in pesticide spray application ensuring accurate application rates and adherence to pesticide labels which is the law. As such, proper understanding of sprayer calibration objectives and steps is needed to avoid using incorrect methods that give a false sense of accuracy. Educating growers and applicators in calibration methods will therefore empower them to ensure the use of properly calibrated sprayers well-adjusted to the target canopy to deliver maximum crop protection while minimizing pesticide loss.
How UC Delivers
In June 2023, UC ANR co-hosted two Calibration Safety & Compliance Training events, one for Northern California and the other for Central California, with the Almond Board of California (ABC), AgSafe Food and Farms (AgSafe), and the Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA). The Northern California training was held at the Nickels Soil Lab in Arbuckle, CA, while the Central California event took place at the UC's Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension (KARE) Center in Parlier, CA. The events were aimed at providing practical calibration training on how to prepare and calibrate airblast sprayers as well as compliance training such as how to manage required documents for pesticide applications. The 4.5-hour trainings included “Welcome” by the ABC, “Regulatory Update” by WAPA, “Calibration Training” by UC ANR, “Headquarters Compliance Training” by AgSafe, and “DPR Laws & Regulations Update” also by AgSafe. The DPR approved 4.0 hours of continuing education credits – 2.0 ‘Laws' and 2.0 ‘Other' – for qualifying participants. Overall, 50+ attendees participated in both events: 30+ in Arbuckle and 23 in Parlier.
The Calibration Training by UC ANR was a 2-hour practical session conducted in an almond orchard along with airblast sprayer demonstrations. It was presented in an interactive format allowing participants to interject with questions, comments, and observations. The Northern California training was led by UC Cooperative Extension advisor Dr. Franz Niederholzer in collaboration with UC Cooperative Extension specialist Dr. Peter Ako Larbi. Alternatively, the Central California training was led by Dr. Larbi in collaboration with Dr. Niederholzer. Both sections covered: “Sprayer parts review”; “Sprayer calibration basics and calculations”; “Sprayer speed determination”; “Sprayer air profile assessment and nozzle configuration”; “Flow rate measurement”; and “Spray coverage evaluation”. Staff from the Nickels Soil Lab, the Agricultural Application Engineering (AgAppE) Lab, and KARE Center provided Logistical, technical, and documentation support. The participants completed evaluation forms to provide feedback for just the Calibration Training section. Comments from the evaluation forms included…
“Very good class.”
“Great rapport with participants.”
The Impact
In all, 22 participants provided feedback on their learning for the combined Calibration Training sections for the Northern and Central California events. Overall, 100% reported “much” to “very much” learning from the combined Calibration Training sections indicating that they were very effective and provided participants with a great amount of learning. Likewise, 100% also indicated their intent to adopt the practices learned from the section. Looking at each section of the training, 82% reported learning “much” to “very much” from the “Sprayer parts review”, 100% the same for “Sprayer calibration basics and calculations”, 91% for “Sprayer speed determination with flagging”, 91% for “Sprayer air profile assessment and nozzle configuration”, 91% for “Flow rate measurement”, and 82% for “Spray coverage evaluation” (full breakdown of feedback by section in the graphic below). Additional written comments were mostly positive.
The needs assessment conducted by Dr. Larbi for his Agricultural Application Engineering Program in 2019 showed that 56% of perennial specialty crop growers and applicators in the San Joaquin Valley used airblast sprayers, 12% used tower sprayers, 15% used electrostatic mist blowers, and 17% used other sprayers. Also, 22% calibrated their sprayers 10 or more times a year, 32% calibrated 4-6 times, and 46% calibrated only 1-3 times a year. According to the California Pesticide Use Report, in 2021, 456,802 pesticide applications delivered 34,323,828 lbs. of pesticide across 24,147,968 acres of almond orchards. This amounts to 75.14 lbs. per application or 1.42 lbs. per acre. If even 1% of the application was overapplied and another 1% was underapplied due to using uncalibrated sprayers in the year (a conservative guess if nearly half of applicators only calibrate 1-3 years times a year), then 686,477 lbs would have been misapplied leading to either reduced pest control or increased pesticide loading on the environment. This number is very significant considering that the situation does not apply to only almond production. Thus, by increasing the competency of California's almond crop protection workforce for properly calibrating sprayers as a best practice, UC ANR potentially improved environmental sustainability.
UCCE academics Dr. Niederholzer and Dr. Larbi have an extended collaboration in providing spray application and sprayer calibration training in both Northern and Central California since 2019. The results presented here exemplify the impact of such trainings. Expanding this collaboration to include industry stakeholders reaches other audiences, potentially new participants, and increases the extent of impact. UC ANR will continue to support California agriculture through such trainings and the dissemination of science-based information to promote operational efficiency and profitability.
- Author: Peter Ako Larbi
UC ANR supports California's crop protection workforce to become more qualified through hands-on Airblast Sprayer Calibration Training. 100% of participants reported learning professional skills that also can improve the sustainability and profitability of California ag.
The Issue
As a best practice in pesticide spray application, growers and pesticide applicators should calibrate their sprayers to ensure accurate application rates and compliance with the law as represented by pesticide labels. However, proper understanding of sprayer calibration objectives and steps is needed to avoid a false sense of accuracy using incorrect methods. Educating growers and applicators in calibration methods will therefore empower them to ensure the use of properly calibrated sprayers well-adjusted to the target canopy to minimize pesticide waste and drift loss.
How UC Delivers
A half-day “Airblast Sprayer Calibration Training” was conducted in November 2022 at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension (KARE) Center. The in-person extension education event was supported by a California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) grant. It involved classroom and field exercises focused on axial airblast spray applications directed to tree and vine canopies. The training was instructed by Dr. Peter Ako Larbi and assisted by his postdoc scholar Dr. Abiodun Abioye, with logistical support from his Agricultural Application Engineering (AgAppE) Lab and KARE Center personnel. It covered the basic steps and calculations involved in sprayer calibration, with practical follow up via hands-on demonstrations in the field. The DPR approved 3.5 hours of continuing education credits in ‘Other' category for qualifying participants. Sixteen participants were in attendance consisting of growers, applicators/operators, pest control advisors/certified crop advisors, scientists/researchers, and others.
The training started with classroom instruction covering “Welcome, Introduction, and Purpose” (comprising an overview of spray application goals, spray application outcomes, and sprayer calibration and adjustment objectives) and “Sprayer calibration basics and calculations” by Dr. Larbi. It then transitioned to in-field setting in a citrus block in an interactive format allowing participants to interject with questions, comments, and observations. With active participant involvement, the field experience included a presentation on “Sprayer Equipment Parts/Nozzles” by Dr. Abioye, hands-on exercises covering the calibration steps led by Dr. Larbi, a wrap-up discussion and answering of additional questions, and ended by evaluating participant learning. Engaging participants in various hands-on activities corresponding to the recommended calibration steps was intended to reinforce their learning. The spray equipment was operated by KARE Center staff research associate Ryan Puckett.
“Really helped me understand calibration much better.”
“Excellent speakers, demonstrators, trainers.”
The Impact
The participants were fully engaged throughout the training, and all (100%) provided feedback on their learning. Overall, those who reported gaining “much” to “very much” learning are: 94% for “Welcome, Introduction, and Purpose”; 100% for “Sprayer calibration basics and calculations”; 100% for “Equipment: Sprayer parts/Nozzles”; and 100% for “Hands-on calibration exercise”. On average, 97% reported gaining such learning in the classroom portion and 100% in the field. Overall, 100% reported “much” to “very much” learning from the entire training, indicating that it was very effective and provided participants with a great amount of learning. Additional written comments were mostly positive, and many participants verbally expressed their appreciation for the thoroughness of the training.
Dr. Larbi and his AgAppE Program plan to continue providing similar trainings in the future on both ongoing and need bases to arm his clientele with science-based knowledge and skills that will promote their operational efficiency and profitability.
According to the 2021 California Pesticide Use Report, 82,550,620 lbs. of pesticide was used in 941,751 applications for the top five (5) crops in all counties in the San Joaquin Valley covering 45,087,167 acres. Eighty-nine (89) percent of the quantity was applied on 39,742,883 acres of perennial specialty crops, which are the systems of primary focus for Dr. Larbi and his AgAppE program, amounting to 79.38 lbs. per application or 2.34 lbs per acre. Moreover, Dr. Larbi's 2019 Agricultural Application Engineering Program needs assessment revealed that only 22% of growers and applicators calibrated their sprayers 10 or more times a year, 32% calibrated 4-6 times, and 46% calibrated only 1-3 times a year. Hence, assuming a mere 1% of the application done in perennial specialty crop in 2021 was overapplied and another 1% was underapplied due to using uncalibrated sprayers, then 1,467,100 lbs would have been misapplied leading to either reduced pest control or increased pesticide loading on the environment. This number is very significant considering that the situation does not apply to only the top five crops. Thus, by increasing the competency of California's crop protection workforce for properly calibrating sprayers as a best practice, the AgAppE Program potentially increased workforce retention, improved environmental sustainability, and increased the profitability of growers.
- Author: Peter Ako Larbi
Upon attending the Citrus Spray Field Day in November 2022 at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension (KARE) Center, 93% of participants reported learning much or very much about spray application best practices, which can lead to increased agricultural efficiency.
The Issue
Because of the complex nature of spray application under field conditions, growers and pesticide applicators have difficulty in recognizing or using best practices that result in desired application efficiencies. Therefore, applications often fall short. Developing and disseminating science-based recommendations from field trials and decision support tools to assist with pesticide spray application decisions will reduce the guesswork, improve efficiency, and promote effective pest control.
How UC Delivers
The Citrus Spray Field Day was a 4-hour classroom and field meeting that discussed pesticide application effectiveness, focusing on axial airblast spray applications directed to citrus (and other tree and vine) canopies. It was instructed by Dr. Peter Ako Larbi with support from hisAgricultural Application Engineering (AgAppE) Lab andKARE Center personnel. Discussions covered techniques and considerations for optimizing spray deposition and coverage as well as for minimizing pesticide drift. Sixteen participants were in attendance consisting of growers, applicators/operators, pest control advisers/certified crop advisors, regulators/policymakers, scientists/researchers, and others.
Starting with classroom instruction, it covered “Welcome, Introduction, and Purpose” and “Introduction to ‘Airblast Spray Advisor' decision support tool”, transitioning to field instruction which included “Airblast spray demonstration”, “Spray deposition in mandarin” and “Spray deposition in navel orange”. Continuing back in the classroom with sessions on “Spray drift potential in citrus applications” and “Evaluating ‘Airblast Spray Advisor' deposition predictions”, Citrus Spray Field Day ended by evaluating participant learning with approximately 94% response rate.
The Impact
The participants were fully engaged throughout the training. Overall, those who reported gaining “much” to “very much” learning are as follows: 87% for “Welcome, Introduction, and Purpose”; 80% for “Introduction to ‘Airblast Spray Advisor' decision support tool”; 87% for “Airblast spray demonstration”; 93% for “Spray deposition in mandarin”; 94% for “Spray deposition in navel orange”; and 87% in “Spray drift potential in citrus applications”. On average, about 85% reported learning gains in the classroom portion and about 91% reported learning gains in the field. Overall, 93% reported “much” to “very much” learning for the entire field day, showing that the training was very effective and provided participants with a great amount of learning.
Dr. Larbi and his AgAppE Program plan to continue providing similar trainings in the future on both ongoing and need bases to arm his clientele with science-based knowledge that will promote their operational efficiency and profitability.
- Author: Jeffrey P Mitchell
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
- Author: Anil Shrestha
- Author: Wyatt Brown
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Universities adopted UCCE agriculture production innovation and technology video series, contributing to workforce competency.
The Issue
Projections for near-future retirements of people working in California's agricultural production, marketing and post-harvest handling sectors indicate severe re-staffing needs in the coming years. Technological advances have reduced manual labor in agriculture, but increased the need for skilled labor to maintain the sustainability of the vegetable industry. Maintaining California's leading role in producing abundant, safe vegetables is critical not only to Americans' health, but also to the state's economy.
How UC Delivers
UC ANR's Cropping Systems Cooperative Extension Specialist, Jeff Mitchell assembled a team of professors from California's public universities with agricultural programs – UC Davis, Chico State, Fresno State and CalPoly San Luis Obispo - to pull together the series of videos designed to spark the interest and begin training future farmers and agriculture workers in sound agronomic, economic and environmental stewardship skills. The team received financial support from the California Department of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crops Block Grant Program. The video series is offered on the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) YouTube page on a playlist titled “Training of a New Generation of California Vegetable Producers.”
The videos depict state-of-the-art technologies and techniques that are in use in many production regions of California today, vegetable farming systems used in other parts of the world, and increasingly popular cottage farming systems that are popping up in urban areas for easy access to healthful foods. A key feature of the videos is their showcasing leading vegetable farmers and industry leaders and having them speak directly to students about their work and how they manage the complex dimensions of today's vegetable crop production systems.
“We know that maintaining California's leading role in producing abundant, safe vegetables is critical not only to Americans' health, but also to the state's economy,” UC ANR's Mitchell says. “These videos have greatly increased knowledge and awareness of production practices.”
The Impact
The video-series has been adopted by four universities, used in courses to provide real-world information on state-of-the-art production practices and technologies to over 200 students each year. Pre- and post-video viewing surveys indicate student knowledge of production innovation and technology provided by an example video on “urban agriculture” increased from 0% being very knowledgeable to extremely knowledgeable to 67% after viewing the video. Because many of today's students in agriculture-related courses do not have practical experience with crop production, the videos have provided a critically important means for learning and increasing the practical knowledge of this next generation of production workers. In addition, the video series has had broad interest beyond the classrooms. The agricultural industry, students in other parts of the United States and the world, and the broader public all have an interest in understanding how the vegetables we eat are produced at the ever-increasing scale at which they are needed. Importantly, the California Agricultural Vision statement of CDFA (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/agvision/docs/AgVision_2017.pdf(2017) strongly recognizes the critical need to equip the next generation of workers in the field and throughout the packing and processing chain. A World Bank study (2007) determined effects of agricultural education and training on agricultural productivity, including enhanced worker productivity; increased grower abilities to choose prime combinations of inputs and outputs, and increased grower capacity to innovate and adapt new technologies. In this way, UC ANR contributes to increasing workforce competency and the public value of developing a qualified workforce in California.
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- Author: Peter Ako Larbi
After attending a summer workshop at the Agricultural Application Engineering Lab, 97% of student participants in the Reedley College Upward Bound program reported learning much or very much about spray engineering basics.
The Issue
Enabling K-12 students to experience math and science in agriculture enhances their awareness of the diverse career opportunities related to agriculture. Every year, high school students from underrepresented groups participating in the Reedley College Upward Bound Math and Science program receive two weeks of workshops at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension (KARE) Center to gain such experience.
How UC Delivers
Participating this year for the first time, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist Peter Ako Larbi delivered a workshop to 85 high school students in four sessions at his Agricultural Application Engineering (AgAppE) Lab located at the KARE Center. The learning objectives were for the students to become familiar with the concept of spray application and to acquire some practical basic sprayer calibration skills. The topics covered included: introduction to spray application, which covered definitions of spray, properties of spray, and demonstration of atomization; nozzles; sprayers; and hands-on exercise in backpack sprayer calibration. In each session, students volunteered to assist with demonstrations.
The Impact
At the beginning of the workshop, most of the students indicated that they were unfamiliar with the subject matter. However, the students demonstrated much excitement and pleasure during each of the sessions. Overall, 97% of all the student participants reported gaining much or very much new learning about agricultural spray engineering from the workshop. For the individual topics covered, students gained the following levels of learning: 96% for introduction to spray application, 98% for nozzles; 89% for sprayers; and 80% for hands-on exercise in backpack sprayer calibration.
The learning gained through this workshop contributed to the increased workforce retention and competency of the students who are the future workforce of our society. In 2007, the World Bank determined four effects of agricultural education and training on agricultural productivity: (1) enhanced worker productivity; (2) formal education increases grower's ability to choose prime combinations of inputs and outputs; (3) additional school influences grower's capacity to innovate and adapt new technologies; and (4) additional education facilitates interaction with commercial markets. In so doing, the AgAppE Lab has contributed to the public value of developing a qualified workforce for California.