This project will provide critical information and training for state lead agencies responsible for enforcement of new ESA pesticide label requirements from EPA

The Department of Agriculture Office of the Chief Economist awarded the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation (NASDA Foundation) a $250,000 cooperative agreement on September 15, 2025, under the Agricultural Market and Economic Research program (CFDA 10.290) to develop and deliver workshops and training materials for state lead agencies responsible for enforcing new Endangered Species Act pesticide label requirements established by EPA.

The project will convene state and federal officials to identify existing tools and programs, develop best practices for ESA label enforcement, and disseminate those practices through workshop and training formats serving as a national model. The initiative addresses regulatory clarity and consistency to enhance compliance, reduce delays in pesticide application, and mitigate costs associated with unclear enforcement. By providing timely information tailored to state-specific contexts while remaining applicable more broadly, the work will support agricultural productivity and environmental protection and address grower and producer segment needs across states.

Period of performance runs from September 15, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Work is performed in Virginia. This is not a pass-through award; funds are awarded directly to the ultimate beneficiary.

By improving regulatory clarity and consistency, the project will enhance compliance, reduce delays in pesticide application, and mitigate potential costs associated with unclear enforcement. Workshops and training materials developed will serve as a national model for enforcement and applicator education, ultimately benefiting agricultural productivity and environmental protection. These workshops will bring together state and federal officials so that they can work collaboratively on identifying existing tools and programs that could help discuss, develop, and disseminate best practices for ESA label enforcement as they are determined by EPA. Given that every state is unique, developing a collaborative approach to openly share information and ideas is ideal so that the recommendations can have specificity, but can be applied in a broader context. This format also affords flexibility to address current scenarios. Finally, this will provide states with information in a timely manner to address needs among their grower and producer segments.