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NAAA Works to Ensure EPA Retains Aerial Applications of Malathion

The EPA’s proposed interim decision (PID) for malathion retained aerial applications for all uses. A PID is the near final step in the pesticide registration review process. EPA has already consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding malathion’s potential risks to endangered species and their habitats. Mitigations from the consultation process were part of the PID. The next stage will be for EPA to consider comments on the PID and then issue a final decision on malathion’s registration review.

The PID requires the use of buffer zones to protect aquatic areas from malathion applications, and NAAA commented earlier this week to EPA that those buffer zones need to be wind directional. Almost all recent PIDs for other pesticides and the strategies for protecting endangered species from pesticides have required wind-directional buffer zones, and NAAA suggested these would work equally well for malathion.

NAAA did object to a proposed 100-foot buffer zone for ULV aerial applications adjacent to aquatic areas, suggesting the distance was based on EPA’s usage of the Tier 1 AgDRIFT model which overestimates drift from aerial applications. EPA provided an exemption to the 100-foot buffer zone for mosquito control applications overseen by government agencies. NAAA suggested to EPA that if they were unwilling to reduce the distance, they should at least provide that exemption to aerial ULV boll weevil eradication efforts as well.

Read more about NAAA’s comments to the EPA here.
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Gary Jerger Profiled in Local News for 50 Years of Service

NAAA’s 2018 Past President, Gary Jerger, was featured on his local news station for his 50 years of work in protecting crops in his local community. He owns Ag Spray, Inc. in Moorhead, MN.

Gary stated, “I wanted to fly when I was 8 years old; I used to watch the old timers spray my dad’s wheat fields and I said, ‘I want to do that someday,’ that was my dream. That is what I want to do.” And he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Congratulations, Gary, for 50 years of work as an ag pilot. Read the article here and our 2018 profile on Gary here.
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Louisiana AAA’s Kim Brown Elected Fellow by American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators!

NAAA member and Louisiana Agricultural Aviation Association’s Executive Director Kim Brown, was named a Fellow by the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educations (AAPSE) this summer. Brown is an extension specialist with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA).

Kim Brown (left), was named a Fellow by the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators (AAPSE).

AAPSE Fellows are active members making significant contributions to pesticide education and to the Association. For over 14 years, Brown has hosted hundreds of trainings and consultations for producers, applicators, homeowners, educators, industry representatives and more across the Mid-South to improve awareness of pesticide regulations and safe application practices. She has also served in multiple leadership positions within AAPSE as president, committee chair and member of various boards and workgroups.

In 2023, Brown hosted the national State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group conference, sharing UTIA’s work on pesticide safety with organizations from across the U.S. She is also the recipient of numerous awards including the Friend of Ag award from the Louisiana Agricultural Aviation Association. Congratulations, Kim!
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Thank You, NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Sponsors! Attendees, Register Today!

NAAA sincerely appreciates the companies that support NAAA and the agricultural aviation industry by sponsoring the 2024 Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 18-21. We have been fortunate over the years to be able to count on many of our Allied Industry members to sponsor a convention program, activity or item that benefits attendees. We appreciate them taking advantage of the opportunity to reach thousands of potential customers in the agricultural aviation industry. More opportunities to participate in the auction and to sponsor are listed below.

Attendee registration and booth sales are open with attendee pre-registration ending on Oct. 18.

Sponsoring companies help ensure the success of our annual Ag Aviation Expo, and we still have opportunities available! Seventy-five percent of attendees surveyed in a post-convention survey stated they would be “very likely” to use the products and services of a company that sponsors the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo.

Thank you to our 2024 Ag Aviation Expo sponsors:

  • Diamond Sponsors: BASF, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Syngenta, Tylor Johnson Legacy Foundation, UPL North America
  • Gold Sponsors: Anderson & Riddle, AG-NAV, AgriSmart Information Systems/Flight Plan Online, Air Tractor, Covington Aircraft, Bayer CropScience, FMC, GarrCo Products, Insero, Old Republic Aerospace, Rotorcraft Repair & Manufacturing, Starr Insurance Companies, Transland
  • Silver Sponsors: AgAir Update, AIG, AssuredPartners, CapstanAG, Chem-Man, Chuck Holzwarth Flying Service, Davidson Solid Rock Insurance, Kimmel Aviation Insurance Agency, Lane Aviation, McGriff Insurance, North Star Aviation Inc., Packer & Associates, Precision Laboratories, Star-Flex, Tokio Marine HCC/ US Specialty Insurance Company Turbine Conversions, VT Insurance Agency
  • Bronze Sponsors: Pickett Equipment, Praxidyn, Renovo Seed, Southeastern Aircraft Sales & Service

We know that sponsoring companies have the opportunity to support many organizations, and we appreciate their support of NAAA! We still have sponsorships available for this year’s Ag Aviation Expo. Learn more about sponsorship here or contact Lindsay Barber at (202) 546-5722.
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NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings Oct. 10-12, in Chattanooga, TN

The October 2024 NAAA and NAAREF Board and Committee meetings will take place in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Click here to view a schedule. NAAA members are welcome to attend. If you are not a board or committee member interested in attending, please contact Lindsay Barber for more details.

Hotel Details
DoubleTree Hotel Chattanooga
407 Chestnut Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Hotel Phone: (423) 756-5150

The hotel room block is closed and hotel block is sold out. If you need a room, email Lindsay Barber for a list of hotels nearby.

PAC Breakfast with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN): Join us Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 a.m. for the AgAv PAC Breakfast and hear from Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). Tickets for the AgAv PAC breakfast are $100.00 per person. Payments may be made at the RSVP link or at the event via cash, a personal check, or credit card. RSVP here.

Board Books: All board books are provided electronically. Board and Committee members will receive a link and directions to download the electronic board book approximately one week before the meetings. The board book can be downloaded to your computer, tablet or you can print your committee items.

Chattanooga, TN Information: Further information on Chattanooga can be found online at https://www.visitchattanooga.com/.
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In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter

Click here for the September 12, 2024 eNewsletter to read:

  • Ag Aviation Industry Mourns Loss of Kyle Scott in Ag Aviation Accident
  • Third FAASTeam Part 137 Drone Safety Webinar Featured NAAA CEO Andrew Moore Talking About the Importance of Professional Aerial Application Associations
  • NAAA Helps Ensure Aerial Applications of Methomyl Can Continue
  • Air Tractor Aircraft Exhibits at Farm Progress Show
  • Jerry Webb, Longtime Ag Pilot From Mississippi and Former NAAA Board Member, Passes
  • NAAA Hits New Facebook Milestone: 13,000 Followers!
  • Flying in the Wire and Obstruction Environment Course, Saturday, Nov. 16

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