The Pennsylvania Pest Management Association is going to be holding free Weekly Education Classes via Zoom starting August 20, 2020 at 7 pm. These classes are approved by the Department of Agriculture for credits. They will be every Thursday for the foreseeable future.
Registration and class descriptions are available here: www.papest.org
Be on the lookout for more classes upcoming. They will all be online, via Zoom. When you register, the Zoom link and instructions will be emailed to you.
Questions/concerns about your credits? Jess Lenker of the Dept. is available for more in depth questions: (717) 772-5217 jeslenker@pa.gov
Don't forget about the educational opportunities found on NPMA's website where you can find all sorts of online learning. Check out the Online Learning Center here.
|
|
Absolute Service Group Inc. - West Grove, PA
Termite Proofing Pest Control of Delaware Valley, Inc. - Bensalem, PA
Quality Home Services of Delaware Valley - Ridley Park, PA
|
|
Resources for Learning How to Zoom |
|
If you have heard the term "Zoom Meeting" and have no idea what people are talking about, keep reading! Zoom is an online platform that allows companies to do a video meeting via a computer, tablet or smart phone. It is helpful to gather people together especially in a time that is very difficult and unsafe to do so. Using Zoom can be daunting for some folks that aren't comfortable with computers, but no need to worry! There are many programs out there dedicated to helping you learn how to be proficient at online video chats.
Here is a link that will be of help:
Also, here are some pointers to make your Zoom call go smoothly:
-
Lighting: Please be in a place with good lighting. We want to see you, not the shadow of you.
-
Camera: Try to have your camera centered so you aren’t looking up or down at it. You can use a stack of books to raise your computer to eye level, which will help.
-
Mute: When you enter the meeting you will be on mute. Please make sure you stay on mute unless you are talking. When you finish speaking please put yourself on mute again. If at any point there is too much background noise we will mute all and if you were speaking, you will need to unmute yourself to continue.
-
Questions: If you have a question you can type it in the chat and/or use the raise your hand feature.
-
Background: Please be aware of your surroundings and noise in the background so there are no accidental mishaps.
-
Virtual Backgrounds: If you like to use a virtual background you may get a lot of electronic “noise” when you move around such as a missing arm, missing hair and so on. You will want to limit your movement if you are speaking and have a virtual background so part of you doesn’t disappear.
-
Internet Connection: If you have a slow connection you may want to try and use an ethernet cable and plug your computer directly into your router. If this does not help, you can stay on the camera, but use the phone number to dial in. Please make sure you keep your computer on mute if you dial in.
|
|
DEP Offering Grants to Small Businesses and Farmers for Energy, Environmental Project |
|
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the availability of $1 million in grant funding to Pennsylvania small businesses and farmers for energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection projects through the Small Business Advantage grant program. New to the program this year is the opportunity for farmers to install solar pumping systems for their agricultural operations.
“Pennsylvania is committed to assisting those small business owners who want to become energy efficient, increase their profitability, and help the environment,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “This funding will support projects designed to reduce operating costs and boost competitiveness, while simultaneously protecting the environment.”
Eligible projects include adopting or acquiring equipment or processes that reduce energy use or pollution. Examples of eligible projects are HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency LED lighting, solvent recovery and waste recycling systems, and auxiliary power units deployed as anti-idling technology for trucks.
Last year, 233 small businesses were awarded grants for their projects. Natural resource protection projects may include planting riparian buffers, installation of streambank fencing to keep livestock out of streams, and investing in agricultural storm water management projects, with the goal of reducing sediment and nutrient loads in our waterways.
“We are excited to expand the program to help lower energy bills through the use of solar energy,” McDonnell said. “Encouraging businesses to embrace alternative energy projects helps clean our air, reduces greenhouse gases, and give small business owners a sense of satisfaction on making smart choices.”
Pennsylvania-based small business owners with 100 or fewer full-time equivalent employees are eligible. Projects must save the business a minimum of $500 and 25 percent annually in energy consumption, or pollution related expenses.
Businesses can apply for 50 percent matching funds of up to $7,000 to adopt or acquire energy-efficient or pollution prevention equipment or processes. Only costs incurred between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, are eligible.
Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis, and will be accepted until fiscal year 2020-21 funds are exhausted or April 12, 2021, whichever occurs first. All applications must be submitted through the Commonwealth’s Single Application for Assistance. Printed, faxed, and mailed applications are not accepted.
The complete grant application package, which includes step-by-step instructions and instructional videos for completing the online application, is available by visiting the DEP Small Business Advantage Grant.
The Small Business Ombudsman’s Office will conduct an instructional webinar on Wednesday, July 29, at 11:00 AM. The webinar will review the guidelines for the 2020-21 grant year. Applicants and contractors are encouraged to participate. Once at the webinar website, if you have Skype, click on “Join with Skype for Business (desktop)”. If you do not have Skype, click on “Install and join with Skype Meetings App (web)” to run a temporary web application.
|
|
Have You Renewed Your Joint NPMA/PPMA Membership Yet? |
You can renew your joint membership by clicking here! We would love to see you stay with us as there are a lot of great things in store this coming year! |
National Pest Management Association to Host Virtual Pestworld 2020 |
The National Pest Management Association’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to host Pestworld as a virtual convention. This will include world class keynote speakers, educational sessions (CEUs) and the largest trade show in the industry. Dates for V-Pestworld will be remain October 13 through 16, 2020, as planned.
NPMA conducted significant market research, both qualitative and quantitative with all stakeholders including members, past attendees, speakers and suppliers. Significant data points for consideration included the fact that Nashville recently reverted to a modified Phase 2 format, limiting group gatherings to a maximum of 25 people; the mayoral announcement that this phase would be in place for the foreseeable future; an infection rate for the Covid-19 virus trending higher in Nashville, self-quarantine imposed by states visiting Tennessee; travel bans and of course the health and safety concerns for all attendees.
“Many of our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and pest control companies have a travel ban in place through the remainder of 2020 so they would not be able to attend any face-to-face events,” said Alexis Wirtz, Senior Vice President Meetings and Conventions for NPMA.
“It’s not an easy path for any of us, and none of us have a roadmap to rely on. After several months of looking at multiple options on how to host PestWorld 2020, the Board voted unanimously today to put into action what we feel is the best option for the industry,” said Scott Steckel, president of the NPMA. “We are really pleased that the PMP and supplier communities have expressed such overwhelming support of NPMA and this V-convention. We look forward to an exciting event,” Steckel said.
“With the decision of the Board, our focus now shifts to planning and executing the best virtual convention possible for our industry. Although I’m disappointed we couldn’t all get together in Nashville this October, I’m hopeful that a virtual event will allow for an even greater participation from those in our industry,” said Justin McCauley, NPMA President-Elect.
|
|
Webinar: Non-Target Rodenticide Exposure and Wildlife |
|
NPMA - September 17, 2020 | 2:00-3:00pm EST | REGISTER
Niamh Quinn, PhD, University of California, Davis, CA
Rodenticides have been under heavy scrutiny in recent years, with high profile media reports implicating rodenticides in the poisoning of wildlife in California and other locations. In response, researchers have begun investigating different aspects of rodenticide use to better understand how wildlife are becoming exposed. Learn about the latest findings, what they mean for the industry, and what efforts every PMP should make to protect future rodenticide use in the U.S.
|
|
|
|
Ticks that cause red meat allergies are spreading, and invasive fire ants may be our best hope |
|
Sounds insane, right? Well, read on to find out more about the tick that is causing horrible allergies to meat and how Fire Ants may be the solution.
|
|
We want to hear from you! |
|
Do you have any news about your business? Anything to brag about? We would love to share stories about our members. Feel free to send those to Bridget at bcole@versantstrategies.net so we can all learn more about each other! |
|
Kids grade K through 8 might want to check out Pest World for Kids this summer! There are ebooks, crafts, games and more to educate and entice a young learner, especially the kids that love creepy crawlies! Check it out now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
