AgriLife Extension remembers pesticide safety educator Don Renchie

Renchie served as AgriLife Extension’s pesticide safety program coordinator, professor and associate director of the Agricultural and Environmental Safety Unit. Throughout his career, he became widely recognized across Texas and nationally for his leadership in pesticide safety education, licensing and regulatory training.

Visitation services for Renchie will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 8 at Daniel and Son Funeral Home, 401 W. 18th St., Bryan. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. May 9 in the A&M United Methodist Church, 417 University Drive, College Station.

“Dr. Don Renchie represented the very best of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service,” said Rick Avery, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension director. “He was a passionate educator, a trusted statewide leader in agricultural and environmental safety, and a fierce advocate for the people and mission of Extension. More importantly, he was a true Texas gentleman – genuine, approachable and deeply respected by colleagues, producers and communities across our state.

“His impact on this agency and the countless lives, careers and industries he influenced will not be forgotten. Our hearts and prayers are with Shelia and the entire Renchie family during this difficult time.”

A trusted educator in pesticide rules and regulations

Renchie and his team provide leadership for the Pesticide Safety Education Program, which encompasses state and federally mandated training for the certification and recertification of 25 different categories of licensed pesticide users, as well as compliance education for all pesticide users.

Renchie also served as the co-director of the Southwestern Technical Resource Center for IPM in Schools and a member of the Texas Invasive Species Coordinating Committee and the National Pesticide Safety Education Center.

“Don was known statewide as he traveled to our educational programs for pesticide applicators to address everything people needed to know about pesticide safety laws and regulations, EPA regulations and how the process works, and licensing and certification guidelines,” said Dan Hale, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension associate director for agriculture and natural resources, Bryan-College Station. “He had tremendous direct influence on the development of pesticide safety across the United States.”

Larry Redmon, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension program leader and associate department head in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, said Renchie was widely respected not only for his expertise but also for his ability to make complicated regulatory topics engaging and understandable.

“Don Renchie was one of a kind,” Redmon said. “Not only was he the most knowledgeable person I ever knew regarding EPA and Texas Department of Agriculture rules and regulations, but he kept us updated on even the smallest changes in those regulations.”

Redmon said Renchie was an often-called-upon speaker for AgriLife Extension’s county educational programs to present on the laws and regulations requirements for renewal of private pesticide applicator licenses.

“While some presentations could be dull and boring, Dr. Renchie’s were anything but, and I often told him he had missed his calling as a stand-up comedian,” Redmon said.  “Don’s position may be refilled, but he will never be replaced.”

A true servant leader of the land-grant mission

Renchie earned his doctorate and master’s in agricultural education and a bachelor’s in animal science, all from Prairie View A&M University. He is also a graduate of the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership program.

In 1996, Renchie developed the first state-approved eight-hour technician course and began training applicators statewide. In 2000, he developed and began conducting a state-required Structural Pest Control Service “20-hour Apprentice Training Course.”

In 2001, Renchie and coworker Mike Merchant, Ph.D, secured a grant to create the Southwest Technical Resource Center for School Integrated Pest Management, IPM.

In 2018, AgriLife Extension and Renchie initiated a statewide pesticide collection program to provide producers with hazardous chemical disposal options. Due to the high cost of disposal and limited options, many producers had been stockpiling unwanted/unused pesticides. AgriLife Extension recognized the risk unused and unwanted pesticides posed to public health and the environment.

Renchie provided more than 300 presentations on outreach and continuing education to AgriLife Extension county agents and specialists, and to industry members, reaching over 24,000 people. He authored, co-authored and served as managing editor on more than 109 journal articles, curricula, online courses, fact sheets, newsletter articles, videos and television appearances.

State and nationally recognized

Renchie held memberships in the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program, the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators, AAPSE, the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Community-Based Organization, the Texas Vegetation Management Association, the Texas Pest Control Association, and Gamma Sigma Delta International Honor Society of Agriculture.

He received the Texas A&M Regents Fellow Service Award; multiple individual and team Superior Service Awards, as well as the AAPSE Fellow and Past President’s Award, The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance Program Excellence Award, the Texas Pest Control Association Service Award for Leadership in Pesticide Safety Education; and the Pesticide Stewardship Program Award and the International IPM Award of Excellence from the Integrated Pest Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.