Join colleagues from across the region for the North Central AAPSE Pesticide Meeting from August 25-27. This meeting is designed for pesticide safety educators, regulators, and industry professionals seeking practical strategies and forward-looking insights. The program emphasizes audience engagement, evolving regulatory challenges, and institutional innovation, with opportunities to exchange ideas, share state-level updates, and build meaningful collaborations.
Attendees will gain actionable knowledge on topics such as effective communication across diverse audiences, regulatory developments, certification challenges, ADA digital compliance, and emerging technologies—including AI and digital learning tools. A dedicated field tour and site visits provide a unique, real-world perspective on applied management practices.
With built-in networking, peer learning, and time to explore nearby landmarks like Black Hills and Custer State Park, this meeting offers both professional value and an engaging destination experience.
Come prepared to learn, connect, and leave equipped to navigate the future of pesticide education and regulation. This meeting is open to all individuals involved with pesticide use, safety, and regulation and their guests. AAPSE membership is not required to register.
Agenda
August 24 (Optional)
- 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Welcome/Greeting at Spearfish Holiday Inn & CC
- 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Dinner & Social at Sawyer Brewing
August 25 - Engaging Audiences and Regulatory Issues
- 7:30 a.m. - Breakfast (provided)
- 8:00 a.m. - Intro to SDSU Extension: Alexander Smart, Professor and SDSU Extension Interim Director
- 8:30 a.m. - Intro to South Dakota Department of Natural Resources: Tom Gere
- 9:00 a.m. - Engaging Diverse Audiences (Keynote), Dan Wixted
- 10:00 a.m. - Knowing Your Audience, Stephen Robertson, SDSU Extension Pesticide Education Field Specialist
- 10:30 a.m. - Estimating Text Readability, Drew Martin
- 11:00 a.m. - South Dakota People’s Panel, Stephen Robertson, SDSU Extension Pesticide Education Field Specialist
- 12:00 p.m. - Lunch (provided)
- 1:00 p.m. - Manual and Exam Translations, Marissa Behr
- 2:00 p.m. - Supervisory Applicator Training, Valerie Mitchell
- 3:00 p.m. - Fixed Wing vs UAS Regulation, Leo Reed & Nathan Davis
- 4:00 p.m.- Bison Management, Angie Lemminger
August 26 - Field Trip
- 7:30 a.m. - Breakfast (provided)
- 8:00 a.m. - Load Bus at Holiday Inn & Convention Center
- 8:35 a.m. - Tour at Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF)
- 10:50 a.m. - Load Bus at SURF Parking Lot
- 12:00 p.m. - Lunch (on your own) in Rapid City
- 12:50 p.m. - Load Bus
- 1:40 p.m. - Tour at Custer State Park Bison Center
- 5:00 p.m. - Arrive at Holiday Inn & Convention Center
August 27 - Preparing For and Implementing Change
- 7:30 a.m. - Breakfast (provided)
- 8:00 a.m. - Institutional Accessibility, Lindsey Gerard, SDSU Extension Educational Technology Content Manager
- 9:00 a.m. - New Technologies, Jolene Warnke
- 10:00 a.m. - ESA Mitigations, Tom Gere
- 11:00 a.m. - 2028 NC AAPSE Meeting Group Discussion
- 11:30 a.m. - Networking
- 12:00 p.m. - Adjourn
Registration
The cost to attend this meeting is $250 until June 30 or $300 after June 30. Registration is required by August 18 and can be completed using the blue register button above.
When planning your travel, please note that the nearest airport is the Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). A block of rooms have been reserved at the Holiday Inn Spearfish - Convention Center reserved under “AAPSE.” If you are staying only during the conference (August 25, 26, and 27), use the button below to reserve your room. If you plan to extend your stay, it is strongly encouraged to call the Holiday Inn at (605) 642-4683 to make your reservations.
