The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is in the midst of developing new rules that would restrict pesticide use near schools, and farmers are making their voice heard.

Yesterday, the Sacramento Bee published an op-ed by Pete Aiello, owner and operator of Uesugi Farms [a WG member], that details the detrimental effect this ban would have on farming operations. His story, which is told from the viewpoint of both a farmer and parent, can be found here: “SOAPBOX: Pesticide ban near schools would devastate farms.”

Helping secure the placement of this op-ed is among many of WG’s efforts to advocate for the registration and safe use of pesticides that are critical in growing California’s fresh produce. In addition to outlining California’s stringent approval process to stakeholders in the latest WG&S magazine, WG continues to educate the Legislature and other government officials on the various tools farmers use to protect crops from harmful insects and plant and soil diseases. WG has also developed a new fact sheet (which can be downloaded here) that details how crop protection tools advance agriculture.