P.O. Box 948153
Maitland, FL 32794
www.ffva.com

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ray Gilmer or Barbara Wunder 321-214-5200

FFVA HONORS UF-IFAS PESTICIDE INFORMATION COORDINATOR

Maitland, Fla. (January 24, 2005) - Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) honored Dr. O. Norman Nesheim, retiring University of Florida Pesticide Information Coordinator, with a career recognition award Friday (January 21) at the association's winter board of directors meeting at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.

Both FFVA's Environmental & Pest Management Division and its Labor Division recognized Dr. Nesheim for his exceptional management of Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and Pesticide Safety Education Program training and implementation issues. The WPS is a regulation mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency designed to prevent pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The Pesticide Safety Education Program provides training sessions on safe and legal pesticide use.

FFVA thanked Dr. Nesheim for developing high-quality training materials and providing technical assistance, training, guidance and counsel on implementation of these worker protection and pesticide applicators programs that benefit both the worker and the agricultural employer.

"We want to express sincere appreciation and commendations to Dr. Nesheim for his years of exemplary service and offer our best wishes for a productive and enjoyable retirement," said Walter Kates, director of FFVA's Labor Division.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, located in Maitland, is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.

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