Brandon Ball

The 2020 PVCA Virtual Conference is fast approaching! Photo Salon makes return.

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The virtual PVCA Fall Conference is fast approaching on October 8, 2020.  Registration can be found at: .  We have a wonderful line-up of speakers this year and we look forward to ‘seeing’ you all there.   An updated Agenda is attached.

Also, we need your photo entries for the annual PVCA photo salon! Cash prizes will be awarded in 6 categories (see attached) along with a Grand Prize for Best in Show.

Submit your digital photo entries to Christian Boyer @  chrboyer@pa.gov or Brooke Coder @ brocoder@pa.gov  

Congratulations to Andy Kyle

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We would like to congratulate Andy Kyle on his retirement today! While Andy will be staying on as PVCA Treasurer, we wish him much happiness, hope that he enjoys life as a retiree, and thank him for his many years of service to the public.

46th Annual PVCA Conference Announcement

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Please join us for the 46th annual training conference of the Pennsylvania Vector Control Association (PVCA) taking place virtually this year on October 8, 2020 (8am-5pm).

This year we are collaborating with the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEVBD) to host our training using the Zoom Webinar platform.  Although we will miss seeing everyone in person and the value those interactions bring, we are excited to be able to offer a full day of training while adhering to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Due to the generosity of NEVBD and their access to the virtual platform, there will be no fees this year to participate.

Registrations can be entered at: .  Please have your PA Pesticide Certification number when registering as it will be used when applying for credits. Click HERE for the final agenda for the conference.  

We are pleased to announce that we have been approved to offer the following Continuing Education Credits for PA Pesticide Applicator licenses:

00 Core – 2 credits

16 Public Health – Invertebrate Pest – 10 credits

18 Demonstration and Research – 10 credits

12 Park / School Pest Control – 10 credits

Pennsylvania Pest Management Association Weekly Education Classes

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Need some Applicator credits??? See below.

The Pennsylvania Pest Management Association is going to be holding free Weekly Education Classes via Zoom starting August 20, 2020 at 7 pm. These classes are approved by the Department of Agriculture for credits.

Registration and class descriptions are available here: www.papest.org

Be on the lookout for more classes. They will all be online, via Zoom. When you register, the Zoom link and instructions will be emailed to you. 

46th Anniversary Conference of the Pennsylvania Vector Control Association

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We are thrilled to report that we have partnered with the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEVBD) to host our first-ever virtual conference on 10/8/20. 

This virtual conference will take place on the Zoom Webinar platform. 

There is no registration fee required to attend this meeting. 

PA Pesticide Applicator credits will be applied for. More information to come for credits.

We strongly encourage you to register at least two weeks in advance (or by 9/24/20)

Conference Agenda to follow…

We need your help.

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Attention PVCA Members! We need your assistance. Our conference talks and ideas have always come from the members, but we need more input to make this and future conferences the best that they can be!

What topics do you want to see covered at our conference?

Do you have a lead on a speaker or presentation you would like to share?

Would you be interested in being considered to present at PVCA?

Do you plan to attend this year’s conference?

What nights do you plan to stay in State College, PA?

If you have an idea for a talk or presenter – please share it.

With all of the virtual ways to meet and present (Zoom, GoTo, Skype, etc), we can host presenters from their location too – so let us know who and what you want to see.

Please send your ideas and leads to (copy all four, please):

Ray Delaney (Raymond.delaney@phila.gov)
Leah Lamonte (Leah.Lamonte@AlleghenyCounty.US)
Mary Vibostok (mvibostok@co.cambria.pa.us)
Brooke Coder (brocoder@pa.gov)

We will be working on the schedule and will get back to you to help make your recommendation a reality.

We could not do any of this without your help and support – so I thank you for your dedication and participation in our programs.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Ray Delaney
PVCA President

Job Opening

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Extension Educator (Pesticide Education Specialist)

The College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking individuals to join our nationally recognized Penn State Pesticide Education Program. As a member of the Pesticide Education Program, the individual will be responsible for actively working to identify important educational learning objectives, develop numerous educational materials, and present at educational events to support these learning objectives throughout the state. The individual will be expected to support the program’s established deliverables, which are set by funding partners. It is expected that the individual in the position will be able to provide pesticide safety content directed primarily to pesticide applicators throughout the state to accomplish three objectives: adopt application practices that contribute to improved water quality through reduced pesticide drift and groundwater contamination, educate applicators and consumers on proper application, storage, and disposal of pesticides to increase food safety when pesticides are used during the food production process, and improve pesticide management practices to reduce human exposure.

Critical responsibilities will include creating and developing pesticide safety presentations for statewide use by the Program and county extension educators; presenting at numerous certification and recertification training programs throughout the state; and managing the process of rewriting several pesticide applicator category study materials and creating accompanying exam question banks. The critical outcomes from this position will include increased water quality and food safety and decreased human exposure by providing applicators with increased knowledge to make informed decisions about the safe and proper use of pesticides. Other responsibilities include becoming familiar with federal and state laws and regulations that govern pesticides; helping to develop audio-visual programs, multimedia projects, and various printed materials; and supporting our social media and web presence.

This job will be filled as a level 3, or level 4, depending upon the successful candidate’s competencies, education, and experience. Typically requires a Master’s degree or higher plus two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience for a level 3. Additional experience and/or education and competencies are required for higher level jobs. Training in Entomology, Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Crop and Soil Sciences, or other related field and experience with a broad knowledge of pests, pest management, and pesticide safety preferred. The candidate is expected to have excellent presentation, writing, and communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. The individual must be able to work effectively in a team and with diverse audiences within the state. Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish would be beneficial, but not required.

While the successful candidate will be stationed at University Park, he or she will be required to present programming at various training programs, which will require significant travel during the winter months throughout the state. In addition, travel at other times throughout the year is expected to attend appropriate meetings throughout the state, collaborate with others to complete contract deliverables, and participate in professional development activities related to pesticide safety education. Proficiency in the use of computer software packages such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required. Candidate must have the ability to carry equipment, educational materials, and supplies with or without accommodation. The individual must possess a valid driver’s license and have the ability to travel throughout the state. Since this position requires operation a motor vehicle as a part of the job duties, successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks. In addition, a Pennsylvania Pesticide Certification in Core and Category 18 is required and must be obtained within 90 days of hire. The Pesticide Education Program’s overall mission is to educate all pesticide applicators and users across the Commonwealth about pest management alternatives, including the safe, proper, and legal use of pesticides. The program promotes responsible decision-making, which will protect pesticide users, public health, plant and animal health, and the environment. This is a fixed-term appointment funded for one year from date of hire with excellent possibility of refunding. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Apply online athttps://psu.jobs/job/94063 and https://psu.jobs/job/94058

Spring is likely to be warmer than normal across most of the US, NOAA says

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By Allison Chinchar and Judson Jones, CNN meteorologists

Updated 5:08 PM ET, Thu March 19, 2020

(CNN) – The US is expected to stay warmer than average through the spring with widespread flooding, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday. 2020 started with the hottest January on record globally, followed by the second warmest February on record. The next three months are likely to continue this temperature trend. In the US, temperatures this spring are expected to be above average from coast to coast. “No part of the country is favored to experience below-average temperatures this spring,” said NOAA.The highest chances of warmer temperatures are in northern Alaska, across the central Great Basin southward into the Gulf states, and into the Southeast and portions of the Mid-Atlantic.

For example, Florida will see a continuation of the trend they held all winterMiami had its fourth-warmest winter on record with an average temperature of 72.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Naples had it’s second-warmest winter on record with an average temperature of 71.1 degrees Fahrenheit.

NOAA forecasters predict widespread flooding this spring

NOAA forecasters are calling for widespread flooding, with major to moderate flooding likely in 23 states from the northern Plains down to the Gulf Coast. But do not expect the floods to be as severe or last as long as the historic floods experienced last year, NOAA said.”Nearly every day, dangerous flooding occurs somewhere in the United States and widespread flooding is in the forecast for many states in the months ahead,” said Ed Clark, director of NOAA’s National Water Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. “The greatest risk for major and moderate flood conditions includes the upper and middle Mississippi River basins, the Missouri River basin and the Red River of the north,” NOAA said. Already saturated ground is likely to lead to a high level of flooding across much of the central US. Get the latest weather news from around the world >>>“Any heavy local rainfall could trigger flooding in these high-risk areas,” NOAA said.Above-average precipitation is likely from the northern Plains southward through the lower Mississippi Valley across to the East Coast.This means more rain is expected for two regions that do not need any more: the Ohio River Valley and the Southeast.Atlanta, for example, had its fifth-wettest winter on record with more than 23 inches. A large chunk of that rain came just last month when the city had its second-wettest February with more than 10 inches.