Stewardship--"the responsibility to manage one's life and property with proper regard to the rights of others," (Webster, 1984)--in regard to pesticide use has become magnified in importance in recent years. Individual and corporate consciousness has increased on the farm, in the agricultural chemical industry, and among public sector scientists. Driving the need for increased pesticide stewardship by agriculturalists are increased environmental and food safety concerns of the general populace, increased activity and capability of regulators, potential penalties to growers and pesticide manufacturers, and desire of farmers themselves to protect personal well-being and conserve natural resources for themselves and future generations. Specific opportunities for advancing pesticide stewardship include: (1) "Read and follow label instructions." This longtime admonition is as important as ever as a means of avoiding numerous environmental and legal problems. (2) Influence pesticide policy and regulation to reflect sound scientific information and, as much as possible, reasonable, workable guidelines. This might involve efforts in the registration process, including IR-4 and third party registrations in "small" acreage crops or local, minor uses in other crops. (3) Encourage proper management at mixing, loading, and cleanup sites as a means of minimizing risks of point-source contamination. (4) Develop technology and programs for container disposal and recycling. (5) Educate nontraditional, non-agricultural audiences about biological systems, food production, pesticide use, and risk .