By Andi Anderson
Sarah Caffery has been appointed as the new pesticide administrator at the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC). In this key role, she will manage efforts across various teams involved in pesticide licensing, product registration, compliance, and investigations.
Her focus is to ensure that these efforts align with regulatory standards and support the state’s agriculture and public health goals.
Caffery also aims to improve how updates in pesticide regulations are communicated to the public. She highlighted the importance of helping farmers and consumers understand changing policies, including those related to the Endangered Species Act. Her goal is to ensure smooth communication with Indiana growers and proper training for staff.
Caffery began her career at OISC in 2011 in the feed department. She joined the pesticide division in 2015 and held roles such as administrative assistant and product registration specialist.
In 2020, she expanded her experience at Bayer Conscience LP, leading a team in state regulatory affairs. She returned to OISC in 2021 as pesticide product registration manager and assumed her new leadership role in October 2024.
Her passion lies in ensuring pesticide labels are accurate and products are effective for consumer safety. “I enjoy working with public health pest products that anyone can buy at a grocery store,” she shared.
Caffery is committed to modernizing the division by developing new programs and databases, boosting efficiency, and supporting her teams through innovation and teamwork. She expressed gratitude for the strong team around her, saying, “Our success is due to the amazing team members we have at all levels.”
According to OISC Director Mark LeBlanc, “Sarah’s leadership and compassion will help modernize our regulatory programs and serve Indiana’s farmers and residents effectively.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Indiana, Sustainable Agriculture