TRAINING PROGRAMS

Our programs are based on an interactive platform that engages participants through hands-on, educational exercises. Ideal for low literacy and/or non-English speaking workers, these programs utilize role-playing activities, theater skits, flip charts and props that actively involve participants in the critical thinking process.

a) Pesticide Train-the-Trainer (ToT) Training.
The Institute has a unique training program in which staff from community-based organizations and farmworkers are trained to conduct pesticide trainings as required under the Worker Protection Standard. This training curriculum has been approved by the national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as several state lead agencies throughout the country. In addition, we have conducted this training in the Caribbean and in Mexico. This proven training and methodology has been replicated in various geographical areas and can serve as a national model of participatory worker trainer. Our training certifies participants as pesticide safety educators (Promotores) thereby enabling them to conduct the WPS training with farmworkers.

During the last twelve years, the Institute has trained the following farmworker groups in our Pesticide Train-the-Trainer program:

• CATA (New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico)
• Farmworker Association of Florida (Florida)
• Border Agricultural Workers Project (Texas and New Mexico)
• La Esperanza (Maryland)
• Centro Independiente de Trabajadores Agrícolas (New York)
• Frente Democrático Campesino (Chihuahua, Mexico)
• CONFENACA (Dominican Republic)
• Farmworkers' Project of North Carolina (North Carolina)
• Union Sin Fronteras (California and Arizona)
• Clean Water Fund, Goodwill Easter Seals and Centro Cultural (Red River Valley in North Dakota and Minnesota).

The diverse organizations trained demonstrates the ability of the Institute to replicate its Train-the-Trainer program which can be adapted and utilized by farmworkers who work in various agricultural industries and are from different geographical locations. The purpose of the Institute’s Train-the-Trainer program is to strengthen the capacity of the community-based farmworker organizations so that they in turn can facilitate the capacity building of farmworkers. Trainers certified by the Institute to conduct the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training as required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide not only technical information which farmworkers have defined as useful, but also teach critical-thinking and problem-solving skills so that farmworkers can take control and advocate for safer and healthier work conditions. The process is an empowering experience for farmworkers, as they become "active" not "passive" actors during the trainings. It strengthens farmworkers' ability to assess their own realities and develop a plan of action in order to advocate for better conditions through alliance building and public policy. The expected goal or outcome of this continuous exchange of information is for farmworkers to make an informed analysis of their situation and propose a plan of collective action regarding environmental hazards or other conditions that negatively impact their health and well-being. This is a long-term process and the Institute's training focuses on leadership development by equipping farmworkers with the necessary skills and tools in order to accomplish this. This has a broad impact for farmworkers who can then use these skills as they migrate to other areas throughout the United States and/or back to their countries of origin.

b) Master Training.
The Institute prepares experienced Promotores from its member groups as Master Trainers to develop their leadership capacity to conduct the Pesticide Train-the-Trainer Program.

c) Handler Training.
This 5-day training prepares trainers to give a more in-depth training than the WPS to those farmworkers who handle, mix, apply, or transport pesticides. This training has primarily been conducted in the Dominican Republic and Florida. The Institute has also presented part of this training to different groups in Honduras as part of an EPA-sponsored activity.

d) Health Care Provider Training.
The Institute recently revised (January 2006) its manual and training program that instructs health care professionals in the recognition and treatment of pesticide poisoning of farmworkers. This training is keyed to the EPA’s publication entitled, Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings (1999). This training is unique because a team consisting of a trainer from a farmworker community-based group along with a health care provider train health care professionals in the evaluation of pesticide exposure in farmworkers. This training has previously been conducted at migrant health clinics in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Illinois.

e) Training Farmworkers and the Community in Organic Farming.
In a truly innovative program, the Institute takes technical information on sustainable agricultural practices and combines this with farmworkers’ traditional knowledge from their home countries. Member groups are trained so that they can conduct this training which encourages farmworkers to critically think about agriculture without pesticides by providing farmworkers the space to discuss alternative solutions to a chemical-dependent agricultural system. It also facilitates the forming of alliances between farmworkers and diverse groups such as small organic farmers, environmentalists, and consumers.

f) Leadership Development Training.
Through discussion and activities, the community-based member groups learn how to conduct this training with farmworkers. They facilitate the process for farmworkers to analyze and relate their personal experiences/realities to local, national and international events. The focus shifts from the individual to the group in developing a common vision and mission thus reinforcing the organization's commitment to collective action.

g) Popular Education Training.
This training examines the local realities of the different participating farmworker member organizations and their use of the Popular Education Methodology. It provides a forum for the farmworker groups to develop common strategies through organizing and community participation.

h) Diagnóstico.
The Diagnóstico (Diagnostic evaluation) is a tool used by the farmworker grassroots organizations to monitor and document employer compliance with protective farmworker legislation, particularly as it relates to pesticide practices. It involves both farmworkers and their organizations in the process of documenting violations. This provides invaluable information that can be utilized by the farmworker community in advocating for better protections. This questionnaire enables farmworkers to analyze problems and their root causes in order to develop worksite, local and national strategies for effecting change. The monitoring of environmental hazards is a powerful tool to be used by community-based organizations in the public policy arena. It has wide application since it builds farmworkers’ leadership skills, capacity levels and public participation.

i) OSHA Training for Packing House Workers in the Mushroom Industry.
The Institute recently completed a training manual on the OSHA General Industry Standards for packing house workers in the mushroom industry (Fall 2005). The Institute will now develop a training program to train community-based organizations on how to use this manual and conduct this health and safety training with workers in their respective areas.

j) Focus Group Training.
Teaches community groups to conduct focus groups and interviews with farmworkers.If you are interested in our training programs, please contact the Institute at 856-881-2507 for more information.