Posts Tagged: pesticide

California pesticide use high, covers vast acreage

Pesticide warning signs in a California field that is ready for planting. (Photo:Tom Grundy, via Shutterstock)

by PAUL FELDMAN posted 05.09.2018

FairWarning: Farmers in California, the nation’s top agricultural state, are applying near-record levels of pesticides despite the rising popularity of organic produce and concerns about the health of farmworkers and rural schoolchildren. The latest figures, released in April by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and covering 2016, show that 209 million pounds of pesticide active ingredients were used in agriculture.

For clean soil, follow the feds

A California farm in the Central Valley. (Photo: Richard Croft)

by JESUS ALVARADO posted 06.16.2014

OPINION: While everyone understands how critical water is to the state’s future, we must not overlook another key ingredient that is right under our feet: clean soil. Without clean soil, farmers like me cannot grow healthy and abundant crops; without these crops, Californians lose easy access to locally-produced, low-cost fruits and vegetables.

For people who like to eat, there is some comforting news out there: More than 96 percent of produce samples sold in California and tested for pesticide residues meets public health safety standards.

For homegrown produce, it’s even better: Safety standards are met nearly 98 percent of the time, according to 2011 results released