Valley Improvement Projects (VIP) has released an emissions reduction plan for Stanislaus County, coinciding with the county’s recent designation as the fourth largest user of a highly regulated pesticide in California.
At a meeting held on October 1, VIP co-founder Bianca Lopez presented the new plan, which incorporates feedback from community members. One of its main recommendations is to expand buffer zones around crops treated with fumigants. The current buffer zone is set at a quarter mile; VIP proposes increasing it to one mile. “One quarter mile isn’t sufficient for us, and we have a lot of data that shows that pesticides drift well beyond a quarter mile,” Lopez said.
Residents gathered both in person at Waterford Community Center and online via Zoom to hear from representatives of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) and Stanislaus County agriculture commissioner Linda Pinfold about how pesticide use is being managed locally.
During her remarks, Lopez wore a shirt stating “Stop pesticide secrecy” in English and Spanish before introducing DPR staff for their presentation on regulatory roles.
A draft report from DPR dated October 1 ranked Stanislaus County fourth statewide in usage of 1,3-dichloropropene—known commercially as Telone—in 2024. According to DPR, Telone can cause skin and eye irritation or breathing problems short-term, and increase cancer risk over time.
Fidel Perez, chief of enforcement regional offices at DPR, explained that his team collaborates with Commissioner Pinfold to clarify regulations and oversee investigations into pesticide application practices. Pinfold approves permits for growers seeking to use restricted pesticides within the county. “As those products start to get used outside, there is further evaluation of the process to determine if changes need to be made to protect the safety of the applicator, the field workers working around those products and the neighboring communities,” she said.
Lopez noted VIP’s support for alternatives such as cover crops or moss instead of synthetic chemicals: “Those are nonsynthetic ways, alternative to grow, and mitigate some of the pests,” she said.
Growers must notify nearby residents when they intend to spray regulated pesticides like Telone so people can reduce exposure risks. To support transparency efforts, DPR operates an online portal called SprayDays where users can track regulated pesticide applications across the county.
Although none of California’s counties exceeded air pollution standards set by DPR in 2024—a result attributed by officials to updated fumigant application rules—the issue remains significant locally. The revised regulations contributed specifically to lower air pollution linked with almond farming operations.
Melanie Pellegrino from the county’s agricultural office said her team reviews each request for restricted pesticide use while also checking what other pest management methods have been tried first. She emphasized that non-pesticide mitigation information is self-reported by growers but argued most do not choose expensive chemicals unless necessary: using them tends to be “a last resort after realizing not treating the crop will result in losing it all together.”
Community organizer Laura Plascencia urged greater monitoring by DPR in Stanislaus County due to concerns about drift near schools: “We have the quarter-mile buffers where our children are going to schools, and we’re having… some of these pesticides drift over,” she said.
In 2024, local use of Telone dropped below 300,000 pounds from more than 500,000 pounds reported in 2023; however Plascencia stated air monitoring still detects Telone presence locally.
Ken Everett from DPR warned that eliminating certain products entirely without available alternatives could lead farmers into difficult situations controlling pests effectively.
The plan also calls for enhanced notification procedures requiring direct communication with school officials prior to any nearby spraying activity.
Pellegrino raised concerns about compliance costs potentially affecting small family farms unable to absorb regulatory expenses: “As we start to regulate more of these things, smaller family farms start to get pushed out because they don’t have the economic resources.”
Lopez responded by indicating future versions of VIP’s plan would include funding mechanisms aimed at helping historically disadvantaged small growers comply with evolving requirements.
To report suspected misuse or incidents involving pesticides in Stanislaus County, residents are advised by DPR officials either contact their local agricultural commissioner or email CDPRWeb@cdpr.ca.gov; complaints may also be filed directly with California’s Environmental Protection Agency.
Everett added that regulatory science is always evolving: “Education has always been our primary mission, not just for compliance, but for safety for everybody and our environment,” he said.
