Over 30 Attend Jim Wells County WPS and Auxin Training

A morning training on Worker Protection Standard (WPS) requirements and auxin herbicide handling drew strong attendance in Jim Wells County on January 16, 2026, the county AgriLife Extension office reported. The entry on the county extension page said the session that morning had “well over 30 people” in attendance and noted these annual trainings are required for agricultural producers and their workers to ensure safe and proper application of agricultural chemicals.

WPS trainings are part of federal compliance for farms that use restricted-entry pesticides and are designed to reduce occupational exposures and avoid costly violations. Auxin herbicides, commonly used for broadleaf weed control, carry known drift and residue risks that can damage sensitive crops and trigger complaints or regulatory action when misapplied. Local participation in the course helps protect workers, limit liability, and maintain market access for producers who sell to buyers demanding documented safe handling practices.

The extension office emphasized that producers who still need certification should contact the county office to RSVP for upcoming sessions. The post also highlighted additional local extension activities such as hunter education and wildlife management trainings, signaling a wider push by the extension to bundle land-management and safety resources for area producers and land managers.

For Jim Wells County, the practical effects of training go beyond paperwork. Reducing chemical mishandling lowers the chance of crop losses from off-target damage and can cut the economic costs of worker illness, lost labor hours, and potential fines. A well-trained crew is also an economic asset in tight labor markets, where retaining experienced workers and avoiding safety incidents can make a measurable difference to a farm’s operating margin.

The turnout suggests steady local demand for in-person compliance instruction as regulatory scrutiny and buyer expectations evolve. Extension-led programs like this one offer a cost-effective way for small and mid-sized operations to meet annual requirements without arranging private compliance services. In addition, the extension’s broader slate of offerings - from wildlife management to hunter education - provides producers with complementary skills relevant to land stewardship and diversified revenue strategies.

Residents and producers who did not attend are encouraged to contact the Jim Wells County Extension office to RSVP for future trainings and to access course dates and resources designed for producers and land managers. Continued participation in these programs will help keep crews working, limit regulatory risk, and support long-term resilience for local agriculture.