2026 Pesticide Application Courses

Registration Fees

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

2026 Pesticide Application Courses

Pesticide Core Review Course
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Pesticide Application Practices for Trees, at Schools, Parks and Public Spaces
Thursday, Feb 19, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Pesticide Application Practices for Turf, at Schools, Parks and Public Spaces
Thursday, March 5, 2025, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

ABOUT THE COURSES
These online 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. 

FOR FULL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS, HIT THE "REGISTER FOR EVENT" BUTTON AND VIEW THE PROGRAM ITEMS BELOW.

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

Tim Abbey is an Educator for PSU Extension with specialties in entomology, horticulture, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). His responsibility is to educate nursery and landscape care professionals on managing tree and ornamental plant pests using integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. He also coordinates educational programs focused on pest management, tree care, and other horticultural topics. He holds a BS in Biology/Ecology and an MS in Entomology.

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.