FieldWatch, Inc® is a non-profit company that promotes communication between producers of specialty crops, beekeepers and pesticide applicators in support of ongoing stewardship activities. DriftWatch®, BeeCheck®, and CropCheck® are programs of FieldWatch and are free, voluntary mapping platforms used to promote awareness and collaboration on the ground as well as mitigate risk associated with pesticide application.  Our tool features an easy-to-use Google Maps™ interface that clearly shows pesticide applicators the locations of registered areas so they can utilize the data as they plan and prepare for their applications. FieldWatch data can be viewed on our website or live-streamed through other technology platforms applicators may be using for work orders, weather data and other critical agronomic information. These critical technology partnerships have expanded the reach and use of our data exponentially.  Our collaboration tool was originally designed by the Purdue University Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department with input and support from Purdue University Cooperative Extension. It is now operated by FieldWatch, Inc, an independent non-profit company created in collaboration with interested stakeholder groups who represent the agriculture value chain. FieldWatch is currently operating in twenty-one states and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and is expanding rapidly throughout the U.S. and Canada.  In recent years FieldWatch has worked to bring additional technology innovations to end-users. New mobile apps, private data layers and pilot programs have significantly expanded our data offering and are bringing more value in the form of data and information to applicators who need it to make the most informed decisions as they apply pesticides.  During this presentation the audience will learn more about the DriftWatch platform for specialty crop growers, the BeeCheck platform for beekeepers and apiaries as well as our pilot program, CropCheck, for row crop growers. All of these programs roll up into one free and easy-to-access system for pesticide applicators. We will discuss how tools like FieldWatch can help to mitigate risk through communication and awareness. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of how we engage stakeholders to inform the continued development and innovation of our stewardship tool as well as technology improvements on the horizon.

Mitigating risk with technology communication tools

2019 Fall National Meeting

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