The outcome of this project is to reduce risk to human health and the environment from pesticide exposure

EPA Region 7 awarded the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska $104,999 on February 1, 2026, under the Consolidated Pesticide Enforcement Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.700) to reduce risk to human health and the environment from pesticide exposure through a regional circuit rider initiative.

The Winnebago Tribe will employ a full-time Pesticide Circuit Rider to conduct education and outreach across Region 7 tribal communities. The Circuit Rider will deliver one outreach event within a Region 7 tribal community; conduct at least two EPA-approved Worker Protection Standard focused trainings and participate in at least two pesticide safety workshops with documented coordination with at least two state agencies; develop and distribute educational materials in cooperation with EPA to all Region 7 tribal communities; deliver one youth Integrated Pest Management educational session in a school setting including pest identification and safe pesticide disposal guidance; develop and share pollinator best management practices with tribal youth and agricultural programs, with educational materials distributed to all Region 7 tribes; establish an aerial applicator education program in partnership with EPA, including a decision guide for reporting aerial pesticide incidents and encouraging relationships between Region 7 tribes and local aerial applicators; and establish a Region 7 tribal working group. The Circuit Rider will submit quarterly progress and travel reports, maintain a vehicle mileage log, and participate in monthly and semi-annual coordination meetings.

Performance occurs at Winnebago Reservation in Merry, Nebraska, with a period of performance from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027.

The winnebago tribe will engage with other tribes in region 7 in a cooperative effort through the pesticide circuit rider program. A full-time circuit rider , employed by the winnebago tribe will conduct education and outreach activities to protect residents, school staff and students, water resources, endangered species , and the environment from adverse effects of pesticides. Activities: the pesticide circuit rider will provide quarterly progress reports and travel reports submitted by the specified deadline. Participation in monthly and semi-annual coordination meetings. A vehicle milage log will be maintained. The PCR will participate in at least two EPA approved WPS focused trainings and participate in at least two pesticide safety workshops or events including documented coordination with at least two state agencies. PCR will deliver one outreach event within a region 7 tribal community. Deliver one youth integrated pest management educational session in a school setting including, pest identification and safe pesticide disposal guidance materials. Educational materials will be developed in cooperation with EPA and distributed to all region 7 tribal communities. The PCR will develop and share pollinator best management practices (BMP) with tribal youth and agricultural programs to encourage pollinator-friendly planting education materials to be distributed to all region 7 tribes. The PCR will establish an aerial applicator education program in partnership with EPA . The PCR will adopt a concise report VS not report incident decision guide specifying what to look for, what to report, where to report and when to report an aerial incident. The PCR will encourage relationships between region 7 tribes and local aerial applicators for awareness and transparency. The PCR will work to establish an region 7 tribal working group to reflect the priorities and expectations of the region 7 tribes. The group will meet quarterly and review outreach materials, identify service gaps, share feedback, and advise on workplan implementation to ensure that the program remains accountable, community driven and adaptable to changing tribal community needs. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:improved internal controls, compliance with EPA reporting timelines, and strengthened coordination with regional and national pesticide networks. Increased technical knowledge for pesticide circuit rider staff, improved understanding of worker protection standards requirements, enhanced cross-jurisdictional collaboration and strengthened preparedness for pesticide safety. Increased community understanding of safe pesticide use, and improved engagement with tribal youth. Broader adoption of pollinator-supportive practices, increased awareness of pollinator threats, and expanded regional coordination on pollinator conservation. Near term: higher quality pesticide reporting from tribal communities. Long term: aerial application of pesticides reporting to the EPA is streamlined for region 7 tribes. Improved tribal oversite and guidance of the pesticide circuit rider program with increased alignment of activities with tribal needs and priorities, strengthening accountability, transparency and trust in a program historically lacking tribal engagement.