2025 Pesticide Application Courses

Registration Fees

Pesticide Core Review Course: $30 Member/$40 Non-Member  (add Core book for additional $40)
Pesticide Application for Turf: $20 Member/$25 Non-Member
Pesticide Application for Trees: $20 Member/$25 Non-Member

2025 Pesticide Application Courses

Pesticide Core Review Course
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Pesticide Application Practices for Turf, at Schools, Parks and Public Spaces
Thursday, November 6, 2025, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Pesticide Application Practices for Trees, at Schools, Parks and Public Spaces
Thursday, December 4, 2025, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

ABOUT THE COURSES
These courses are ideal for staff and supervisors who are pesticide operators, future applicators or want to learn more about Integrated Pest Management (IPM), proper pesticide selection, and the safe storage, mixing, and application of pesticides.  A must for all who work in and around parks, schools and public spaces.  The courses will focus on best practices, safety and responsible use. 

Core Review - October 30
This course is designed for those who need a thorough review of the proper handling and use of pesticides. Based on the PA Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual, the session will cover topics such as applicable pesticide laws, transportation and storage, personal protective equipment (PPE), pesticide formulations, IPM, and application concerns such as drift, water, and exposure. This course is an ideal refresher and an excellent review for those studying for the core exam. Purchase of the core book is optional. Registered applicators will receive 6 Core Credits for attending. Three hours of continuing education (.3 CEUs) are also available.

Pesticide Application Practices for Turf, at Schools, Parks and Public Places – November 6
Join Jeff Fowler for this informative session on turf and turf diseases. Jeff will provide participants with information and instruction on how to identify common turf issues. Along with identification, we will explore remediation techniques and how local environments can affect turf. Whether you're managing sports fields, school play areas, or park landscapes, this class will help you correctly identify turf issues and make the proper adjustments. Registered applicators will receive 4 Cat 7 and 4 Cat 23 Credits for attending. Two hours of continuing education (.2 CEUs) are also available.

Pesticide Application Practices for Trees at Schools, Parks and Public Spaces – December 4
Krystal Snyder joins Jeff Fowler to assist park and school grounds managers in caring for their native and ornamental trees. This session will begin with an overview of tree identification using common keys and apps. We will also explore common tree health issues caused by insects and disease, and how to identify them. Along with information regarding their cause and effect, the instructors will provide participants with ideas, techniques and applications to combat these insects and diseases. Registered applicators will receive 4 Cat 6 and 4 Cat 23 credits Two hours of continuing education (.2 CEUs) are also available.

Join The Maintenance Institute and other park and public space managers as we examine topics such as:
•Special concerns for school grounds and public places
•Identification of common diseases
•Tree and insect Identification
•Integrated Pest Management
•Proper pesticide selection, application and timing
•Seasonal and regional issues
•Caring for ornamentals
•Annual maintenance
•Turf management schedules

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
•Parks and Public Works Professionals and Personnel
•Operators and Caretakers of public spaces at Hotels, Churches, Campgrounds, and Resorts
•School maintenance staff and supervisors
•Park Foreman and Supervisors
•Recreation Directors
•Land managers
•Outdoor volunteers
•Township Supervisors/ Directors
•Public Works Managers / Directors
•State outdoor agencies

OUR PRESENTERS

Jeff Fowler is a retired Senior Extension Educator of Horticulture specializing in turf management from Penn State Extension. He spent 36 years working at Penn State and now runs his own business. At Penn State, Jeff focused on visiting field managers and helping them to make wise choices with their limited resources. He earned his Bachelor of Science (BS) from Delaware Valley College and his Master of Education (MEd) from Penn State University. In 2019, he was presented the Fowler's Founders Award by the Keystone Athletic Field Managers Association (KAFMO) in recognition of his unselfish commitment to excellence in education, athletic field management, and professionalism in the Pennsylvania sports turf industry. Jeff has been a volunteer on the grounds crew for the Little League World Series since 1996 and is the volunteer field manager for his local league. He has been teaching Pesticide Safety for his entire career at Penn State.

Krystal Snyder is the Interim Director of the Penn State Flower Trials and a Horticulture Extension Educator with Penn State Extension. She holds a Master's in Agricultural and Environmental Plant Science from Penn State and specializes in greenhouse floriculture, plant nutrition, and hydroponic systems. Since joining Penn State Extension in 2019, Krystal has worked closely with growers to improve production practices and has led educational programming on greenhouse management, nutrient strategies, and floriculture production. She has led the Penn State Flower Trials since 2023, overseeing annual and perennial variety evaluations and providing key performance data to growers, breeders, and industry stakeholders across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Dan Hendey serves as the Director of the Maintenance Institute and has been the Education Manager for the PA Recreation and Parks Society since 2019. He has over 24 years of experience developing curriculum and teaching students of all backgrounds. Dan holds degrees in business, education, and recreation along with certifications as a pesticide applicator, park executive and pool operator.

Todd Roth has been the Aquatics Supervisor at Centre Region Parks and Recreation since 2002 and has been working in the aquatics industry since 1989. He is a certified recreation professional and has been teaching core and pool pesticide courses for over 10 years. In his free time, Todd enjoys coaching water polo and trail races.