Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Specialist; mjv@udel.edu
The Delaware Department of Agriculture is now offering an online tool that helps protect pesticides sensitive crops and commodities from pesticide drift. DriftWatch™ is designed to help pesticide applicators, specialty crops growers and stewards of at-risk habitats to communicate more effectively to protect pesticide-sensitive areas. DriftWatch is free for both growers and applicators. It is not available for homeowners or growers whose crops are less than half-acre.
Sensitive crop areas that can be registered on Delaware’s DriftWatch™ site include commercial beehives, pumpkins, melons, tomatoes, vegetables, fruits, grapes, nursery crops, greenhouses, and certified organic crops. DDA will review all sites submitted for registry prior to approval to make sure sites meet approval qualifications.
Commercial growers and beekeepers register their sites of a half-acre or more on the website. Pesticide applicators then can check the website to map out sensitive areas near their applications sites and take extra precautions to avoid causing pesticide drift on those areas. DriftWatch™ is not intended to be a registry for homeowners or sites less than half an acre.
Please note that enrolling a sensitive site doesn’t ensure or guarantee that pesticides aren’t sprayed near a property. The purpose of DriftWatch™ is to promote communication and awareness between pesticide applicators and specialty crops producers to reduce incidences of off-target exposure. We encourage growers and applicators to continue a personal dialogue so that concerns can be reduced.
Simply go to www.driftwatch.org to register. You can also learn more about DriftWatch™ at www.fieldwatch.com.
For questions or for help registering, please contact data stewards Laura Mensch by phone or email at (302)698-4573, laura.mensch@state.de.us or David Pyne at (302)698-4570, david.pyne@state.de.us