Please join course instructor, Leo Garcia, for two half-days of Orchard Pest and Disease Management Workshop in Spanish on November 1st and 2nd. This course will be a continuation of the pest and disease management class offered last year with new information and new topics. Please join us even if you did not attend last year! This course is designed to increase the knowledge and understanding of Spanish speaking orchard employees involved in pest management and pesticide use. Topics covered will include: learning about the main pests and disease for pears, cherries and apples, different methods of control utilized by our industry, beneficial insects and biocontrol, how to read and understand the pesticide label, general pesticide safety, and how to reduce the impact of pesticides in the environment. There will be 4 pesticide credits available each day in both Oregon and Washington, 8 credits for both classes.
The classes will be held Wednesday November 1st and Thursday November 2nd from 8:00am-12:15pm at The Pine Grove Grange (2935 Van Horn Dr. Hood River, OR 97031).
Join us for both classes or just one! Classes are free but registration required! Click here to Register
It is not necessary to have attended last year\’s class. This course will be a great precursor to the Spanish Private Pesticides Applicators License Exam Preparation Class offered in Spanish in February 2024 in Hood River.
Wednesday\’s class will focus on introduction to the main pests for area orchards, pest and disease identification,  understanding the biology and monitoring of some of the main orchard pest and disease, types of control conventional, soft, and integrated pest management, organic, and beneficial insects. Click here to view an Extended Agenda for Day 1
Thursday\’s class will focus on: understanding new pest invaders in our orchards, understanding the biology and monitoring of some of the main orchard pests, codling moth – degree day models, and mating disruption, biological controls and how to evaluate their benefits, and the environment. Click here to view an Extended Agenda for Day 2
Contact Kris Schaedel with the Hood River Soil and Water Conservation District with any questions kris@hoodriverswcd.org or 541-368-4588
Course Instructor Leo Garcia of Wenatchee Valley is a graduate of Washington State University with a BS in Horticulture, Pomology, and the Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Foundation Program. Mr. Garcia worked for Washington State tree fruit and viticulture industries for the last 32 years starting as an Orchard Employee, Crew Supervisor, Fieldman, Orchard Manager, and Lead Horticulture Professor and Director of the Latino Agricultural Programs at Wenatchee Valley College until his retirement in 2021. Mr. Garcia, created, developed, and implemented the Hispanic Orchard Employee Education Program (HOEEP) at Wenatchee Valley College 28 years ago. The program is still going strong with more than 2,000 graduates. He has also served in numerous Advisory Boards and have provided educational opportunities for the ag industries through his Agricultural Training and Consulting business for more than 20 years. It is an incredible opportunity to be able to host Mr. Garcia and facilitate a training in Hood River. Please join us!
