Hello everyone,

I realize that it has been a quiet late winter and early spring from the school IPM team; however, this newsletter is designed to catch you up.

For those of you who are looking for school IPM coordinator training, AgriLife Extension has three two-day events coming this year. Our prices are still the same since 2007, $210 for both days, $135 for one day only. If you attend the first day you will receive a certificate that indicates, you have taken the 6-hour required course. In addition to those 6 hours if you are licensed in the 3A category you will receive 3 CEU credits. If you are licensed in SPCS you will receive 5 hours.

On day two we will cover ants, mosquitoes, weeds, IPM and laws & rules. This will allow participants to obtain 6 hours SPCS CEU credits or school IPM refresher course. If you hold a TDA AG license (3A, 3B, 12) you will receive 5 CEU credits from TDA. If you hold a registered sanitarian license you can also receive credit for each day attended. To see the full agenda, visit our website here

Location                                               Training Date

San Antonio region                         May 11 & 12, 2022                                          

San Antonio ISD Central Office, 514 W. Quincy Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205

Registration direct link  School IPM Coordinator Training (registration)

Houston Area                                    September 14 & 15, 2022                             

Fort Bend County AgriLife Extension, 4332 Highway 36 S, Rosenberg, TX 77471

Registration direct link School IPM Coordinator Training

Central TX Area                                October 12 & 13, 2022                                  

Round Rock ISD: Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex, 10211 W Parmer Ln, Austin, TX 78717

Registration direct link  School IPM Coordinator Training

If you wish to be invoiced for event registration, please fill out this AgriLife Events Invoice Request or call 979-321-5005 for assistance.

Class time is 8:30 am to 5:00 pm with lunch typically provider by one of many sponsors. Participants will receive a notebook, packet of IPM posters and additional handouts depending on the topic and supplies.

Applicator Licensing

Many of you have asked about obtaining a license for yourself or an employee. Remember this is a three-step process 1) contacting TDA to sign up a person to receive the license (AG or SPCS); 2) take the 8 hour technician training (this helps with passing the general exam); 3) upon receipt of the letter from TDA to the license applicant (who is getting the license not the district) sign up with PSI to take the exams.  When you take the exams be sure to select the correct license category ag versus structural, then making sure you select the appropriate exams for you license. Everyone must take and pass the general standards exam ($64) and then depending on your license desire you will at least one more category exam ($64). This past newsletter article and YouTube video is designed to assist you get through all these steps  Still not sure then please contact the staff in Dr. Renchie’s office at 979-845-1099 or 979-845-3849, they are there to help get you licensed. 

News From Department State Health Services 

Funding Opportunities
Urban Schools Agricultural Grant Program

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has opened the Urban Schools Agricultural Grant Program. The grant will fund agricultural-related programs for urban elementary and middle public-school pupils enrolled in districts with populations of 49,000 or more. The program helps improve students’ understanding of agriculture through projects such as school vegetable gardens. These projects can provide lessons not only in horticulture, but also in water conservation and nutrition. The program provides up to $2,500 each for the funded elementary and middle schools’ agricultural demonstration projects. Applications must be submitted by May 5, 2022. View the TDA Urban Schools Agricultural Grant description and application.

Nutrition Environment and Services
Grow Your Own Salad Lesson Plan

Kids Gardening offers a free lesson plan to support young people growing their own salad during any season. The lesson plan includes a materials list, description, and specific instructions. The lesson can be used with a wide age range of young people. Download the full lesson plan from Kids Gardening.

Health Education 
Celebrate Every Kid Healthy Week: April 25-29, 2022

Action for Healthy Kids created a wellness themed week to celebrate and encourage kids’ health. Celebrate Every Kid Healthy week at school and at home by planning activities, events, and lessons to promote health and wellness among students and families. Action for Healthy Kids resources and event ideas are free and available for download.

Something a little outside the IPM toolbox.

In a recent edition of the California School & Child Care IPM Program newsletter they posted these resources of using birds of prey as a way to oversee a variety of pest problems. Biological control doesn’t always mean lady beetles feeding on aphids. Using birds of prey to help manage rabbits, rodents, voles, and sparrows is a natural way to keep nature in balance and a way to educate students and staff about the cycle of life. To learn more about raptors for biological IPM? Check out these Department of Pesticide Regulation resources!

• Factsheet: Hawk Perches and Owl Boxes for Biological Pest Management (Spanish)
• Video: Hawks & Barn Owls for around the clock, biological pest management! (Spanish)