Funding pest control research with fines
A question and answer session with FPCRAC Chairman Jeff Edwards?

Q. What does the Florida Pest Control Research Advisory Committee (FPCRAC) do?

A. The committee reviews research and education proposals and awards money from the Dixon Fund to fund in part or in full, research and educational projects which would benefit the pest control industry, and ultimately consumers, in the state of Florida. As part of a recent decision, the committee meets in January to prioritize critical issues facing the industry and consumers. Once prioritized by the committee, a Request for Proposals is sent to prospective researchers in the various categories of pest control. Funding awards are granted at a noticed meeting in September of the same year.

Q. Who serves on the FPCRAC,

and how do members get on the committee?

A. The committee consists of 11 individuals from the pest management industry and DACS (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control Chief Mike Page. Members are appointed by DACS.

Q. Who are the other members of the FPCRAC?

A. Bob Belmont (Massey Services), Jose Tomeu (Alachua Pest Control), Joey Edwards (Arrow Exterminators), Bob Kessler (Bullseye Pest Control), Mike Page (FDACS), Mike Beckers (CPCO), Mickey Nolen (Nozzle Nolen), Britta Turney (Univar USA), Erica Santella (TruGreen-Chem Lawn), John Mangold (Terminex), and Frank Meek (Orkin).

Q. Who performs the requested research and educational projects?

A. To date, projects that have been funded through the Dixon Fund have been performed by university researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville and the Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie, as well as at Florida A&M University. Funding  is also available to any other researcher working under the auspices of Florida’s State University System.

Q. What is the “Dixon Fund” and who was it named after?

A. The Dixon Fund was created to memorialize Robert Dixon, who passed away in 1989 after serving only a few months as president of FPCA (Florida Pest Control Association, since renamed Florida Pest Management Association). Leaders at FPCA persuaded the state legislature to pass a law that any administrative fine money collected by the department be placed in a research fund. Subsequently, the FPCRAC was appointed with Norman Goldenberg serving as the first chairman. Subsequent chairmen have been Jerry Williams, Harvey Massey and myself.
 

Q. How is the FPCRAC funded?

A. Chapter 482.2401(1), F.S. dictates that moneys collected or received by the department (DACS) from administrative fines or settlement agreements be deposited into the Pest Control Trust Fund. These moneys are “earmarked” for education of the pest control industry. The funds received through the department’s enforcement actions are given the designation of the Dixon Fund, which funds the various research and educational projects. In the past, administrative fine money collected has ranged from $50,000-$60,000 per year, but it has increased somewhat the past few years.

Q. What are some projects likely to be considered in the future?

A. In September the committee will consider funding projects dealing with chinch bugs, the big headed ant, and borate pre treatments. The committee will also deal with continued funding for the Termite Treatment Building and the Tree Termite Eradication Project.

Q. Can you briefly cite some examples of past research or educational projects that have benefited the industry?

A. The committee funded studies on the white-footed ant (Scheffrahn) which was a huge problem at the time. The committee also helped with funding for the Termite Treatment Building (Oi) and the Tree Termite Eradication Project (Scheffrahn). The committee also funded the Fumigation Manual (Scheffrahn, Cabrera, Kern), which is intended to be the singular source upon which questions for the DACS examination for Fumigation will be based.

Q. How does the work that's done benefit the industry?

A. As far as research projects, a lot of useful information and knowledge flows from these studies to PMPs (pest management professionals) via CEU courses and seminars, distributors, and manufacturers reps. Let's face it, thousands of PMPs did not simultaneously learn how to deal effectively with white footed ants on their own.                                                                                                       

As far as educational projects, a lot of people are excited about the Termite Training Building.
 

Q. Does FPCRAC provide for research or education projects that might not otherwise be performed?

A. Definitely. Some research studies may not be of interest to manufacturers to fund because they don't have a national impact, such as the white footed ant or the Tree Termite. A lot of projects deal with issues that pertain specifically to Florida.

As far as the Termite Treatment Building, Orkin donated $150,000 towards the project, and other companies, associations, and individuals also pledged money for the facility, but if the FPCRAC did not earmark $150,000 of Dixon Fund money towards the project it may have never got of the ground. 
 

Q. What else would you want pest management professionals to know about the FPCRAC?

A. We are dedicated to see that all hard earned administrative fine money is put to good use. I think the Dixon Fund is such a great story.