Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2014IN373B

Pollution Prevention Strategies for the Public

Institute: Indiana
Year Established: 2014 Start Date: 2014-03-01 End Date: 2015-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $6,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $30,632

Principal Investigators: Fred Whitford, Jagadeesh Anmala

Project Summary: Master Gardeners is a nationally recognized extension program coordinated by most land-grant universities. Beyond the classroom training they receive on pesticide safety, Master Gardeners are required to provide volunteer hours to teach others about landscaping and gardening. Much of their work on community projects involve the proper selection and care of plants that allow them to compete with insects, diseases, and weeds for space and nutrients, and without the use of pesticides. Master Gardeners are also involved in pesticide education when a pest escapes the cultural controls put in place in the landscape, ornamental beds, or in the garden. Thousands of individuals each year becoming Master Gardeners, allowing them to extend information to friends and neighbors on the importance of following pesticide labels so as to not hurt themselves, others, or the environment.