Problem-solving in the fields: an action-oriented approach to farmworker education about pesticides.

This paper describes two educational programs initiated to address the problems of farmworker pesticide poisoning in Nicaragua and in the United States and Puerto Rico. Both programs utilize a participatory and action-oriented educational methodology known as popular education. The methodology is presented using examples to demonstrate its application to the planning, delivery and evaluation of pesticide education programs. Preliminary outcomes of using this methodology are also explored as well as implications for developing future training programs in the field.