Pesticides in the Pajaro Valley

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Letter to the editor: Driscolls, please go all-organic

by Letter to the Editor October 7, 2025

Californians face stark disparities in pesticide exposure during pregnancy

Californians face stark disparities in pesticide exposure during pregnancy

by Inside Climate News October 2, 2025October 2, 2025

Watsonville activist nears end of monthlong hunger strike after brief hospitalization

Watsonville activist nears end of monthlong hunger strike after brief hospitalization

by Tania Ortiz September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

Watsonville activist says school district ‘blocking’ him from speaking to students about pesticide harms

Watsonville activist says school district ‘blocking’ him from speaking to students about pesticide harms

by Tania Ortiz September 18, 2025September 18, 2025

Fatigue sets in for Watsonville activist on Day 17 of hunger strike protesting pesticides near schools

Fatigue sets in for Watsonville activist on Day 17 of hunger strike protesting pesticides near schools

by Tania Ortiz September 17, 2025September 17, 2025

A tale of two fumigants, three local schools and formidable ag adversaries

A tale of two fumigants, three local schools and formidable ag adversaries

by Woody Rehanek September 14, 2025

Omar Dieguez: Driscoll’s can do more to protect Watsonville kids and residents

Omar Dieguez: Driscoll’s can do more to protect Watsonville kids and residents

by Omar Dieguez September 11, 2025September 16, 2025

Judge rejects activist claims in pesticides lawsuit but appeal could be forthcoming

Judge rejects activist claims in pesticides lawsuit but appeal could be forthcoming

by Christopher Neely September 2, 2025September 2, 2025

Watsonville activist to start monthlong hunger strike protesting pesticides on farms near schools

Watsonville activist to start monthlong hunger strike protesting pesticides on farms near schools

by Tania Ortiz August 26, 2025September 16, 2025

It’s time to bust the four top myths about farmworker health and pesticides

It’s time to bust the four top myths about farmworker health and pesticides

by Ann Aurelia López August 15, 2025

Driscoll’s has the resources and know-how to shift to organics around schools – so why doesn’t it?

Driscoll’s has the resources and know-how to shift to organics around schools – so why doesn’t it?

by Woody Rehanek June 12, 2025

Pesticides must be phased out – I am a physician and the rate of pediatric cancer in Santa Cruz County is more than 38% above the overall California rate

Pesticides must be phased out – I am a physician and the rate of pediatric cancer in Santa Cruz County is more than 38% above the overall California rate

by Valerie Bengal March 27, 2025

California farmworker communities win right to be notified of pesticide applications in advance

California farmworker communities win right to be notified of pesticide applications in advance

by Liza Gross / Inside Climate News March 26, 2025March 26, 2025

Agricultural poisons tell a tale of two Californias

Agricultural poisons tell a tale of two Californias

by Liza Gross and Peter Aldhous / Inside Climate News January 3, 2025January 3, 2025

Ag commissioner David Sanford’s mission to protect public health should include discussions of alternatives to toxic chemicals and pesticides

Ag commissioner David Sanford’s mission to protect public health should include discussions of alternatives to toxic chemicals and pesticides

by Woody Rehanek January 2, 2025January 2, 2025

Santa Cruz County agriculture commissioner defends against criticisms over pesticide regulation

Santa Cruz County agriculture commissioner defends against criticisms over pesticide regulation

by Tania Ortiz November 20, 2024December 16, 2025

Proposed legislation on widely used pesticide falls short, activists warn

Proposed legislation on widely used pesticide falls short, activists warn

by Tania Ortiz November 18, 2024November 18, 2024

Activists, grand jury want Santa Cruz County to get more involved in how pesticides are used

Activists, grand jury want Santa Cruz County to get more involved in how pesticides are used

by Tania Ortiz November 15, 2024December 16, 2025

Are you spraying us? It’s ‘notification without location’ in Pajaro Valley’s ‘pesticide soup’

Are you spraying us? It’s ‘notification without location’ in Pajaro Valley’s ‘pesticide soup’

by Rocio Ortiz August 11, 2024August 11, 2024

EPA bans DCPA, dangerous herbicide used on California crops

EPA bans DCPA, dangerous herbicide used on California crops

by Rachel Becker / CalMatters August 7, 2024August 8, 2024

It’s time for Driscoll’s to take responsibility for farmworker health and well-being in Watsonville and Pajaro

It’s time for Driscoll’s to take responsibility for farmworker health and well-being in Watsonville and Pajaro

by Woody Rehanek July 30, 2024

Pajaro Valley groups sue state, Monterey ag commissioner over pesticide use near schools

Pajaro Valley groups sue state, Monterey ag commissioner over pesticide use near schools

by Hillary Ojeda April 5, 2024April 8, 2024

Coalition plans federal lawsuit over pesticide exposure across California — including in Santa Cruz County

Coalition plans federal lawsuit over pesticide exposure across California — including in Santa Cruz County

by Hillary Ojeda February 16, 2024February 16, 2024

California’s pesticide advisers live off a system of kickbacks and conflicts of interest. That has to change.

California’s pesticide advisers live off a system of kickbacks and conflicts of interest. That has to change.

by Woody Rehanek January 18, 2024January 18, 2024

We have to do more to tighten pesticide regulation in Santa Cruz County

We have to do more to tighten pesticide regulation in Santa Cruz County

by Woody Rehanek November 16, 2023November 29, 2023

In Watsonville, farmworkers, students and activists demand state reduce pesticide use, boost organic farming

In Watsonville, farmworkers, students and activists demand state reduce pesticide use, boost organic farming

by Hillary Ojeda October 31, 2023

Let’s hold our state accountable for pesticide regulation: Urge Gov. Newsom to sign AB 652

Let’s hold our state accountable for pesticide regulation: Urge Gov. Newsom to sign AB 652

by Woody Rehanek October 3, 2023

California is its own sort of slave state — we need to enact farmworker rights now

California is its own sort of slave state — we need to enact farmworker rights now

by Ann Aurelia López September 5, 2023

Why won’t our state pesticide regulators keep us safe from Telone? Why won’t they follow the science?

Why won’t our state pesticide regulators keep us safe from Telone? Why won’t they follow the science?

by Yanely Martinez August 10, 2023

Watsonville City Council adopts resolution supporting transition to organic farming

Watsonville City Council adopts resolution supporting transition to organic farming

by Hillary Ojeda June 28, 2023

Watsonville City Council supports organic conversion from pesticides near area schools

Watsonville City Council supports organic conversion from pesticides near area schools

by Hillary Ojeda April 26, 2023

Santa Cruz County should not be using a pesticide banned in 34 countries — that is environmental racism

Santa Cruz County should not be using a pesticide banned in 34 countries — that is environmental racism

by Erika Alfaro January 29, 2023

Listen to voices you rarely hear: the mothers who pick your strawberries. They say their kids are paying the price for our bounty.

by Jody K. Biehl and Kevin Painchaud January 3, 2023December 17, 2023

Healthy soil, healthy people, carbon storage … the reasons to ditch pesticides are endless

Healthy soil, healthy people, carbon storage … the reasons to ditch pesticides are endless

by Woody Rehanek December 11, 2022

Our farmworkers are being sexually assaulted and poisoned on the job. Why aren’t we helping them?

Our farmworkers are being sexually assaulted and poisoned on the job. Why aren’t we helping them?

by Ann Aurelia López November 29, 2022

Ag companies regularly spray my neighborhood with pesticides; it’s time to make them stop

Ag companies regularly spray my neighborhood with pesticides; it’s time to make them stop

by Kathryn Mizuno November 13, 2022

A Lookout View: It’s 2022; we need to stop spraying pesticides around our children and schools

A Lookout View: It’s 2022; we need to stop spraying pesticides around our children and schools

by Lookout Editorial Board October 20, 2022December 20, 2023

Lookout Update: Pressure mounts on pesticides near schools — especially those on Pajaro Valley outskirts

Lookout Update: Pressure mounts on pesticides near schools — especially those on Pajaro Valley outskirts

by Mark Conley October 20, 2022

Organic’s big South County moment: Might school-zone pesticide switch provide momentum for change?

Organic’s big South County moment: Might school-zone pesticide switch provide momentum for change?

by Mark Conley October 5, 2022

Pressure building on pesticides, Driscoll’s says it will consider organic-only by schools

Pressure building on pesticides, Driscoll’s says it will consider organic-only by schools

by Mark Conley October 3, 2022

‘What would we do without these people?’ A Q&A with ‘furious’ farmworker advocate Ann Lopez

‘What would we do without these people?’ A Q&A with ‘furious’ farmworker advocate Ann Lopez

by Mark Conley August 1, 2022