We can do something about fire ants - Training Professionals and Developing Teaching Materials in Sustainable Fire Ant Management

We can do something about fire ants - Training Professionals and Developing Teaching Materials in Sustainable Fire Ant Management

Summary

Objectives
1) Conduct a hands-on in-service training session for 40 county agents and farmers on fire ant biology and sustainable management . Based on prior in-service sessions, we expect that pre-training and post-training tests will show that that we have increased by 20-25% the knowledge level of this first tier of trainers.
2) The major participants and first tier of trainees will work together to prepare fire ant teaching materials. We expect to develop a video, a slide set, an interactive CD-ROM, educational posters, preserved specimens of fire ants, and a model of a fire ant mound. This participatory training method will further increase the knowledge base of these trainers.
3) The major participants and tier 1 trainees will use the newly developed teaching materials to instruct a second tier of trainers and stakeholders, including additional county agents, farmers’ cooperative personnel, Master Gardeners, turfgrass managers, building industry personnel, and Christmas tree growers. We expect to hold approximately 30 training sessions.

Collaborators: