The Hood River SWCD has worked closely with OSU Extension and the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers to facilitate local bilingual agricultural trainings meaningful to the tree fruit industry. Many training opportunities are offered in Spanish and led by experienced trainers from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, OSU, or private contractors who specialize in agricultural education.
The focus of these trainings is to address the evolving demands of the tree fruit sector and to support those who within it. The sessions are designed to be responsive to industry needs, offering relevant and practical information. Please look at the list below for current and previous trainings opportunities. For more information on a current class, click on the class title. If you have specific needs or suggestions for future trainings, do not hesitate to contact us.
2026 Classes
Worker Protection Standards Train the Trainer in English, October 28-29th, 2026
The “Train the Trainer” is a 2-day course taught in English by trainers from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and Oregon State University. This is a hands-on and interactive course designed to train agricultural employers, farm managers, supervisors and individuals on how to successfully administer in-house Worker Protection Standards and safety training of agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. It provides individuals with the knowledge and tools to conduct practical pesticide safety training that complies with state and federal requirements of the EPA’s Worker Protection Standard (WPS). For more information or to register, click here.
Worker Protection Standards Train the Trainer in Spanish, October 28-29th, 2026
The “Train the Trainer” is a 2-day course taught in Spanish by trainers from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and Oregon State University. This is a hands-on and interactive course designed to train agricultural employers, farm managers, supervisors and individuals on how to successfully administer in-house Worker Protection Standards and safety training of agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. It provides individuals with the knowledge and tools to conduct practical pesticide safety training that complies with state and federal requirements of the EPA’s Worker Protection Standard (WPS). For more information or to register, click here.
English Private Pesticide Applicator License Preparation Course, November 17th-18th, 2026 and Exam, November 19th, 2026
This course will prepare participants to take the Oregon Private Pesticide Applicators License exam. Topics include laws/regulations, integrated pest management, personal protective equipment , reducing drift, pesticide label comprehension, protecting waterways, pesticide transport, storage, disposal, and more. David Spink, from Chemeketa Community College, will lead the class through summaries, exercises, and examples from the National Pesticide Applicator Certification Core Manual and the Oregon Addendum. Following two days of course instruction, participants will have the opportunity to take the Oregon exam in person at the OSU Extension Center on the third day. For more information, please click here.
Past Classes
Orchard Horticulture
This class is taught by Leo Garcia, former professor of horticulture at Wenatchee Valley College. Learn the reasons behind all the things we do in an orchard. Learn about soils, plant nutrition, stages of tree growth, irrigation, water management, thinning and pruning techniques, pest and disease management, etc.
Orchard Scouting for Pest, Disease and Beneficial Insects
This 2-day class will provide people with hands-on skills to scout for pests and disease in their orchards, and to understand which beneficial insects are present and how they assist with pest management. This training includes both classroom and field work.
Private Pesticide Applicator License Exam Preparation
This course includes 3 days of instruction provided by an experienced trainer from the Washington State Department of Agriculture or the Oregon State University Pesticide Safety and Education Program. The private pesticide applicator license exam will be administered onsite during the third day of training. Spanish language pre-license class will be held in January of 2027. English language pre-license class held in Fall each year.
Respirator Fit Testing Train the Trainer
Learn how to administer respirator fit testing to employees at your farm! This 6 hour class is taught in English and Spanish by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. 5 Core Pesticide Credits available in OR and WA.
Respirator Fit Testing and Medical Questionnaire
This event will provide free medical questionnaire reviews and respirator fit tests (required annually) with trained staff and medical personnel. Certifications of compliance provided.
Spanish for Orchard Managers
This 6-week interactive course equips orchard managers and supervisors with the Spanish language skills needed to communicate effectively with their crews. Each week blends key functional phrases, cultural insights, and leadership strategies to help managers foster respect, clarity, and efficiency in the workplace.
Sprayer Calibration
This one day workshop taught in English and Spanish by the Washington State Department of Agriculture focuses on how to calibrate an air blast sprayer to apply pesticides in a targeted way.
Supervisory Skills and Leadership
This interactive workshop is taught in Spanish and includes three days of coursework. Participants will develop supervisory skills and work with real-life examples of management situations.
Worker Protection Standards & Pesticide Handler
This training is taught in English and Spanish for pesticide handlers to learn how to use pesticides in a safe, effective, and legal manner and reduce the risk of exposure. Certification of compliance provided.
