Hector Barajas

Fertilizers Grow Healthy Plants and Support Sustainable Farming

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Why This Matters to Policymakers Fertilizers are often misunderstood, yet they are one of the most important tools that farmers use to grow healthy fruits, vegetables, and grains for feeding our communities. Just as people take vitamins to maintain their health, plants require essential nutrients to reach their full growth potential. Fertilizers provide these nutrients, […]

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Western Plant Health’s Commitment to Safety Confirmed, DPR Report Shows No Harmful Pesticide Levels in Air Samples

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A recent report released by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), the 2023 Air Monitoring Report, found that pesticide concentrations in high-use areas across California remained well below health-protective levels. The report evaluated 40 pesticides and conducted over 8,000 analyses throughout the year. The results are reassuring: 95% of the air samples showed no detectable pesticide

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2023 Air Monitoring Report Confirms Success of California’s Pesticide Management System

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The Western Plant Health Association acknowledges the 2023 Air Monitoring Report from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). The report found no detectable pesticides above health-protective levels at any of the four monitoring stations in high pesticide-use areas, including Oxnard, Santa Maria, Shafter, and Watsonville. DPR tested for 40 different pesticides and conducted 8,085 analyses, evaluating

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Sensible Pesticide Policies Needed for Invasive Pests

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California’s agricultural sector, vital to the nation’s food supply, is under siege from invasive pests and diseases that threaten crops, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Effective pest management is essential, as pests like the varroa destructor mites and Mediterranean fruit flies cause billions in annual losses. While pesticides are crucial in combating these threats, the lengthy and costly approval process hinders timely responses. Balancing traditional and new pest control methods, guided by scientific evidence, is key to maintaining agricultural resilience, food security, and environmental health.

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Navigating California’s Pest Control and Public Health

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California’s agricultural industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s food supply and a testament to the state’s rich natural resources and farming expertise. Yet, this vital sector faces a growing challenge: escalating pest infestations. Factors like climate change, global trade, and increased travel rates have contributed to this surge, increasing the urgency of the need

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Washington Post: Fresh Fruits and Veggies Are A Prescription for Better Health

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Have you ever thought about fruits and vegetables as medicines? Yes, you read that right! In a fascinating initiative by Bread for the City, a non-profit organization in Washington, DC, doctors prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables to their patients. This innovative approach, highlighted in a Washington Post story, “At Bread for the City, doctors prescribe

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Tiny Weed Threatens California Tomatoes

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California’s tomato industry, which supplies 95 percent of the nation’s processed tomatoes and a significant portion of the world’s crop, faces a formidable threat in Orobanche ramosa, a parasitic weed. This invasive plant has re-emerged in tomato fields across several Central Valley counties, sparking concerns that it could decimate a significant portion of this vital

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The Constant Battle Against Invasive Pests and Diseases in California

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California’s agriculture is under constant attack from invasive pests and diseases. These non-native organisms, be it plants, insects, diseases, or microbes, pose a significant threat to California’s ecosystems and food supply, and managing them has become a pivotal task for Western Plant Health’s members.  These invasive species are often introduced primarily through unintentional and accidental

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