Using Behavior to Change Behavior: the value of PUR data in entomology education and extension programs David Haviland Entomology and Pest Management Farm Advisor UC Cooperative Extension, Kern Co.

Understanding how farmers view PUR data Understanding how farmers view PUR data. Case study: imagine the types of statements that could be made if DPR employees had mandatory pesticide use reporting* More than 94% of DPR employees endorse topical applications of pesticides to children under 6 months old. During the last year, 82% of DPR employees have allowed their own children to bathe in pesticide-treated water while application is still ongoing. This is despite label warnings that the pesticide being used can cause substantial eye injury, be harmful if absorbed through the skin, and harmful if swallowed. DPR employees, despite their role as part of the Environmental Protection Agency, consume more than 5 pounds of active ingredient of Prop 65 carcinogens per week. 79% of DPR employees with teenagers allow them to handle, dispense, and use explosive, carcinogenic chemicals while wearing nothing more than their school clothes. In the past month, more than 82% of DPR employees have consumed food or a beverage purchased at a Prop 65 chemical dispensary, despite the prevalence of government-mandated safety warnings at those facilities. * Statistics, though probably true, were fabricated for the purposes of making a point.

Anti-bacterial soap and baby wipes Understanding how farmers view PUR data. Case study: imagine the types of statements that could be made if DPR employees had mandatory pesticide use reporting* More than 94% of DPR employees endorse topical applications of pesticides to children under 6 months old. During the last year, 82% of DPR employees have allowed their own children to bathe in pesticide-treated water while application is still ongoing. This is despite label warnings that the pesticide being used can cause substantial eye injury, be harmful if absorbed through the skin, and harmful if swallowed. DPR employees, despite their role as part of the Environmental Protection Agency, consume more than 5 pounds of active ingredient of Prop 65 carcinogens per week. 79% of DPR employees with teenagers allow them to handle, dispense, and use explosive, carcinogenic chemicals while wearing nothing more than their school clothes. In the past month, more than 82% of DPR employees have consumed food or a beverage purchased at a Prop 65 chemical dispensary, despite the prevalence of government-mandated safety warnings at those facilities. Anti-bacterial soap and baby wipes Chlorine Pool Tablets Benzene in a tank of gas Gasoline Mini-Mart * Statistics, though probably true, were fabricated for the purposes of making a point.

By its own nature… PUR data is damning Examples Hospital staff sanitize hospital beds before patients arrive vs. Hospital staff spray hospital beds with pesticides before patients arrive

Things growers appreciate Being part of the solution, not the cause of the problem Data that is put into context Data that uses terms familiar to growers Seeing industry trends without revealing individual practices Receiving credit where they feel credit is due When people give them options and let them decide what is best for their farm Data that allows them to make the most informed decision

Put data into grower context (Apps/acre, not pounds applied) Bad- Kern County pistachio growers applied 2.8 million pounds of active ingredient of pesticides in 2015 Good- Kern County pistachio growers applied an average of 7.4 herbicides, insecticides or fungicides during 2015

What is the trend? vs. Why is there a trend? Put data into context What is the trend? vs. Why is there a trend?

What is the trend? vs. Why is there a trend? Put data into context What is the trend? vs. Why is there a trend? Acreage more than doubled Loss of Guthion Replacing one OP requires two reduced-risk insecticides Lower NOW tolerance at huller Scrutiny over aflatoxins Increased crop value Decreased cost of insecticides

Using farmer lingo- Convert data to applications/acre

Don’t get hung up on short-term trends ‘pesticides are going up/down’ vs. ‘what is influencing pesticide use’

Don’t get hung up on short-term trends ‘pesticides are going up/down’ vs. ‘what is influencing pesticide use’ Bad? Good?

Don’t get hung up on short-term trends ‘pesticides are going up/down’ vs. ‘what is influencing pesticide use’ Up and Down? Good or Bad?

Don’t get hung up on short-term trends ‘pesticides are going up/down’ vs. ‘what is influencing pesticide use’ Up and Down? Good or Bad? Reality- Chlorpyrifos use goes up and down based on seasonal changes in leaffooted bug pressure. Fluctuations show that PCAs use IPM to make treatment decisions.

Show positive trends... Make sure to note when increased pesticide use is a good thing NOW Mating Disruption

Aspergillus flavus Strain Af36 Show positive trends… everybody’s doing it! (Positive peer pressure) Aspergillus flavus Strain Af36

Show cause and effect

Show relationships that imply cause and effect- promote awareness of issues Untreated orchard PUR data: 2013, 2014, 2015 Sixspotted thrips eat spider mites. Abamectin kills spider mites, but also kills sixspotted thrips. Concern/question- Are growers killing sixspotted thrips by spraying abamectin? Response- Monitor for mites and thrips. Treat for mites only if thrips are not present. If thrips are present and a miticide is still needed, use one that does not kill the thrips. Many options exist.

Give more credit than you take- case study

Give more credit than you take Examples… DPR report to legislature- Due to DPR’s monitoring efforts, alliance grants, regulations, and agency partnerships, less OPS are being found in California waterways. UC Program Review- Due to local UC research, extension and education programs, less OPS are being found in California waterways. Grower meeting- In an effort to protect California’s waterways, tree nut growers have adopted reduced-risk pest management practices that avoid dormant use of organophosphates.

Stay positive whenever possible Overall pesticide use is increasing (bad)… but the percentage of pesticides that are reduced-risk now exceeds 50% (good).

Influencing change means forming a partnership As government agencies, pretend that farmers are your teenage daughter Take time to form a relationship (team) with them Don’t just monitor their activities and then tell them what to do Say thank you often, even if only for an attempt at improvement. Give credit more than you take credit Speak in a language they understand They are more likely to do what you if they think it is their idea Stay positive

Thank you