Use of chemicals confirmed at strawberry stand

[Barry]

Use of chemicals confirmed at strawberry stand
By Amie Windsor, Staff Writer, [email protected] Jun 1, 2017

Owner says he ‘spot treats’ crops

Sometimes, what the community loves and what the community values end up on opposing sides of the spectrum.

Take, for example, Lao’s Strawberries. The ever-loved strawberry stand, located on Highway 12, just east of the Sebastopol Grange, is a popular stopover for locals and tourists alike. Lao Saetern’s stand is known for its impossibly juicy, ever-red, super sweet strawberries, available from mid April through October.

However, the strawberries, as indicated by a report obtained from the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner, undergo pesticide and insecticide treatment, a practice in contrast to west county ideals and values of organic, chemical-free food.

The report is also in contrast to what the strawberry stand told Sonoma West Times and News back in April, when we reported on the season opening of the stand.

According to the report, Saetern used Roundup Powermax and Roundup Weathermax herbicides, along with Acramite 50WS — a pesticide — on his 12 acres of strawberries 17 times between February 2015 and November 2016.

“We spot treat,” Saetern said. “We don’t spray the whole field.”

Saetern said he uses the pesticides and herbicides to fight off bugs and weeds that bring disease to the crops, such as spider mites and leaf blight.

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[Dogenzip]

Thank-you Barry for this information.
I asked the people at the little building whether they spray the strawberries and was told that they do not and was given permission to walk to the fields in back. There I saw spray gear and spoke to several workers who told me that the spaces between the beds are regularly sprayed with Roundup (glyphosate) before the strawberries are planted. Although the workers correctly stated that the strawberry pants are not sprayed directly, this chemical stays in the soil, goes into groundwater and is taken up by the strawberry plants.

Food and Chemical Toxicologyindicates that glyphosate, the world's most widely used herbicide due to its widespread use in genetically engineered agriculture, is capable of driving estrogen receptor mediated breast cancer cell proliferation within the infinitesimal parts per trillion concentration range. [Siriporn Thongprakaisang, Apinya Thiantanawat, Nuchanart Rangkadilok, Tawit Suriyo, Jutamaad Satayavivad. Glyphosate induces human breast cancer cells growth via estrogen receptors. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Jun 8. Epub 2013 Jun 8. PMID: 23756170]

[wisewomn]

Well, this should not be too surprising to anyone. Strawberries are one of the most chemically-treated crops, period. I read that about 30 different chemicals/pesticides are used on strawberries commercially grown. It seems everyone loves to eat them, including all manner of pests.

It sounds like the grower is foreign-born and trusts the permission he gets from the ag dept. so cut him a little slack, folks. He just needs to learn the difference between organic and commercial and then tell the truth to his customers.

But all you organic-only eaters should ALWAYS wash your fruits and vegetables without fail. They are handled by humans and you don't know where or what those hands have been into.

The only reliable alternative is to grow your own. (Or shop at farmers' markets).

Use of chemicals confirmed at strawberry stand
By Amie Windsor, Staff Writer, [email protected] Jun 1, 2017
...
Continues here

[Shepherd]

These are deadly chemicals used by this strawberry grower and many vineyardists. One can grow berries without these poisons, but it is more labor intensive, and hence less profitable. One can strengthen their soil by physical labor to apply mulches and composts. For proof of such assertions, one can go to www.winewaterwatch.org.

[O.W.]

I am not surprised that Lao uses chemicals, his strawberries are so perfect. Yes, there has to be something lost in translation here and he maybe doesn't get it. USGS did a study for 2 years on Roundup or glyphosate in June of 2010 that shows it stays in water for at least 6 months, after the 2 year study, residues were persistent in soil. Some reports show the poison stays in the soil and does not degrade for 20 years. We have that residue in breast milk, wine, children's vaccines and human urine now. California has just mandated labeling as "probable carcinogen". World Health Organization backs this up with science as well.

I was not familiar with Acramite 50WS (one of the products used by him in article) and you have to scroll down when you search "Acramite 50WS health risks" to see this has a persistent residue rate of 48%. Uniroyal, an ag company that uses conventional practices has stopped using it due to health risks so I really say I don't need 3 strikes to say no to his strawberries. Very sad, really liked supporting this immigrant success story but treasure my health. I know several years ago CAFF reached out to help Lao get certified organic. He needs to do this NOW.

There are pesticide use maps by concentration on this link:https://winewaterwatch.org/2017/02/s...pam-strayer-2/ and you can see we have plenty of chemicals sprayed in our area. I for one do NOT want any more.

[karenm97]

" I know several years ago CAFF reached out to help Lao get certified organic. He needs to do this NOW."

You mean, he needs to transition to organic practices (btw afaik there is no such thing as an organic bare-root strawberry plant on the market these days) and back it up with certification. I've read that a certification program for transition is coming sometime...

[O.W.]

I think it's the Kashi owners that are now certifying transition to organic farmers. It should be on the market soon. They will label and pay the farmers more but not as much as organic producers. The demand is so high for organic that manufactures cannot keep up with demand. We vote with our dollars.

Anyone who goes to Lao's should urge him to contact CAFF (Community Alliance with Family Farmers) as they have funding and enormous resources for transitioning over to organic. They will help him through the process. CAFF's data bank is impressive.

I rarely drink wine as I know what is in it....way too many toxins that are not labeled and so many exposés on glyphosate (Roundup), inorganic arsenic and more. When I do, I go for real wine ( I consider watered grapes as grape product like John Williams does from Frog's Leap), dry farmed and organic like Frog's Leap, Wild Hog in Cazadero.

[deepresto]

Thanks to Shepherd and O.W. for clarifying the effects of glyphosate and Acramite. It is not acceptable to me to eat fresh fruit or drink wine tainted by such poisons. Therefore, I'm buying only organic or select dry-farmed wines.Some years ago I did buy strawberries from the Highway 12 stand and they certainly are delicious. When asked, the person tending the booth said, "no spray". As there was no evidence of an organic or transitional operation, I decided to buy certified organic berries elsewhere.Why is Sonoma County so far behind other counties in its efforts to use fewer poisons on wine grapes? It feels as if we're living in the Wild West.

[ChefJayTay]

Boggles my mind that a strawberry stand, in front of a field that has been barren for years, is so popular. I thought the point of buying from a farmstand was it was being grown right there. People are way, way too trusting of food sources.

I guess no one notices that his non strawberry produce is displayed in commercial produce shipping containers?

I'd be sceptical he even grew them.

[deepresto]

Below is a post I wrote for a thread about the strawberry field and the related spraying of vineyard poisons on Nextdoor Sebastopol. I was responding to a local grape grower who isn't convinced that glyphosate is a problem:

"I’m curious as to why you are so intent on pounding home the point that “organic” doesn’t mean no spray/no chemicals and that it may mean spraying more frequently. The issue here is not whether one sprays and how often, but what is being sprayed and who it harms. Organic and biodynamic operations are not spraying carcinogenic chemicals or using chemically-derived fertilizers, which rob the soil of fertility.

Glyphosate or RoundUp has just been mandated by the state of California to label the poison as a carcinogen. Even the World Health Organization has seen studies not done by Monsanto but actual peer-reviewed science, and they found the same results. (A carcinogen is defined as a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.) Sonoma County sprays, or shall I say dumps over 80,000 pounds of the concentrate just in vineyards yearly, 2.2 million pounds total of all chemicals yearly. Go to www.cdpr.ca.gov and look for yourself. Sonoma County is tied for number 3 in childhood cancer rates (www.kidsdata.org/cancer) and Napa is number 1. What do they share in common? Wine grapes and lots of ‘em.

Less than 2% of the acreage in Sonoma County vineyards are certified organic or biodynamic. The Sonoma County Winegrowers are guilty of the worst kind of greenwashing by touting their “bold committment” to “sustainability”, a marketing term they’ve awarded themselves which has nothing whatsoever to do with organic crop production. What they are actually committed to is continuing to use increasing amounts of poisons in their quest for ever-larger yields and profits.

There have been many exposés on residue pesticides, arsenic and Round Up in wines. And as far as strawberry pesticides go, for at least 20 years health-minded consumers have been advised that conventionally-grown strawberries and peanuts are on the top 10 worst to buy."

Think about how many persons you know personally who have cancer. It is no surprise. We have fouled our nest.

[Shepherd]

Glyphosate to be Listed under Proposition 65 as Known to the State to Cause Cancer

April 18, 2017, www.winewaterwatch.org

We are living in sacrifice zones for profits. Do corporations have the right to take away our health and future generations right to life when less dangerous products are available? Mendocino used 17, 627 pounds in vineyards in 2013, Napa used 50,416 pounds, and Sonoma used 84,606 pounds of concentrated glyphosate in their vineyards. Time to ban this product with Napa number one in cancer rates for children and Sonoma tied for third.

Alternate weed killer: one gallon white vinegar, 2 cups Epsom salts, quarter cup Dawn dish soap. Cheap and effective!

[O.W.]

No corporations do not have a right to poison us for profits and take the future away for our kids just for short termed profit. Thanks for making that point Shepherd. Bad behavior like this is why the Community Bill of Rights is gaining steam across the country. CELDF has done a tremendous job helping communities take back their government from special interests.

I think it has become very apparent in our country with current cabal in power that we are a plutocracy run for and by special interests who only want the money and they can never get enough. Our entire country is a sacrifice zone!

Definiton sociopaths: noun, Psychiatry.

1. a person with a psychopathic personality whose behavior is antisocial, often criminal, and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience.

[joybird]

Thanks Shepard,

Can you tell me/us how to use this combination ? Spray it on leaves or drench the roots or ....and will it leave a residue that would kill the next thing you might want to plant there ?
I just moved and my neighbors want the weeds gone.
I've been putting straight vinegar on the vinca roots and it's starting to die.

Joy

..Alternate weed killer: one gallon white vinegar, 2 cups Epsom salts, quarter cup Dawn dish soap. Cheap and effective!

[karenm97]

what is really in Dawn dish soap? Like, just because it works to wash oil off of sea life doesn't mean it's not toxic... plus there's fragrance, ew.

https://www.pg.com/productsafety/sea...&submit=Search

Glad to hear that the vinegar seems to be working, Joy. Some folks swear by boiling-hot water.

[O.W.]

Here are more exact instructions for 2 recipes. The orange oil people think theirs works best. As far as Dawn dish soap goes, I'd rather use that than Roundup any day of the week.

Vinegar / Orange Oil Weed Be Gone
(from Kathy Tresch)

Ingredients:
20% vinegar
orange oil
Dawn dish soap (the blue stuff)

To make a gallon:
About 80% vinegar
20% orange oil
1 cup Dawn

Apply mid day when leaves are dry and air is warm.

Vinegar / Epsom Salt Weed Be Gone
(from Sonoma Beekeepers Group)

Ingredients:
1 gallon 10% vinegar
2 cups Epsom Salt
¼ cup Dawn dish soap

Mix and spray weeds early in the day for best effect. Wear Goggles and Gloves before handling vinegar and remember, that this mixture is deadly for amphibians like frogs, lizards and salamanders if you get any spray on them, so check your weeds before you start spraying this stuff.

[Shepherd]

Kathy Tresch, by the way, is a long-time farmer, whose husband's family has ranched on their land for many generations. She is a very credible source.

...Vinegar / Orange Oil Weed Be Gone
(from Kathy Tresch)...

[joehogan]

You can also use 30 percent vinegar. You can dilute it as needed. It costs about $20 a gallon on line. You have to be very careful when you use it or dilute it. Don't get it in your eyes or lungs or skin. Drench or spray, see what works for you on the specific plant. Dawn and orange oil are great also.
Joe Hogan

[wildinspired]

I went over there today and spoke to his wife who's name I do not know. I had the CAFF info written on a piece of paper and gave it to her to give to Lao since she cannot read. She got very defensive when I mentioned the article. I did not engage in this with her, only kept repeating that I was glad they know about the article and to pass this info to Lao. I really feel for them since they struggle a lot to keep themselves afloat. But I am no longer buying strawberries from them.

[pixeee nation]

So after reading all of this..i can say this YES there are SADLY TOO many TOXIC chemicals ALL over now ...ALL pesticides should be BANNED at this point and YES YOU can do something about it, they end up in our Water ways through the Earth and in our Air through evaporation etc...You can BOYCOTT all products that are labeled pesticides EVEN the LIE of "safe" ones ...for ANYTHING THAT KILLS Insects or other so called "pests" IS poison to MOST ALL other Life INCLUDING Humans ....plus WE are being bombarded with "geo engineering" TO BOOT ....Also You can write to your favorite "hardware store" and request that they NOT carry this poison garbage AT ALL ...or You WILL boycott their store TOO...Bless Infinite

[O.W.]

Communities are standing up and saying no to chemicals and giving nature rights over corporate interest. Here is a CELDF press release from Oregon. Most Community Bill of Rights have been back east and focused on fracking chemicals and alot have won. Here is the link. Oregon was fighting aerial spraying for timber lands. We have the wine industry here pouring 2.2 million pounds a year in our vineyards.

Press Release: Lincoln County, OR, Adopts First-in-Nation Ban of Aerial Pesticide SprayMay 31, 2017
First-in-state to elevate community rights over corporate “rights” and recognize rights of nature

OREGON: The election results from Lincoln County, OR, are in: Lincoln residents adopted the first-in-the nation countywide Freedom from Aerial Sprayed Pesticides ordinance by 61 votes. Lincoln residents are the first in Oregon to secure people’s environmental and democratic rights, challenging the claimed “rights” of corporations. They are also the first to secure the rights of nature to exist and flourish, joining a growing number of communities across the U.S. and globally who are recognizing ecosystem rights. Measure 21-177 bans aerial sprayed pesticides as a violation of those rights.

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So after reading all of this..i can say this YES there are SADLY TOO many TOXIC chemicals ALL over now ...ALL pesticides should be BANNED at this point and YES YOU can do something about it, ...

[Runningbare]

Recently US District Court Judge James Boasberg ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers was remiss in its approval of DAPL, and that the pipeline needs further environmental review.

Similarly, this small but significant victory in Oregon is indeed a rare bit of good news with profound, precedent-setting implications for local community rights everywhere. Likewise, it carries the financial hallmarks of yet another David & Goliath struggle: $16K vs. $300K, respectively! The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund takes aim at the roots of corporatocracy. Now to brace and prepare for the anticipated lawsuit from timber and chemical corporations who will likely throw more bad money after bad.

Will Parrish has a comprehensive, well-informed report on another big pipeline showdown shaping up just south of Lincoln County in Coos Bay. Proposed is the first Pacific Coast liquified natural gas terminal, intended for export:

https://www.bohemian.com/northbay/pi...nt?oid=3639890

...Press Release: Lincoln County, OR, Adopts First-in-Nation Ban of Aerial Pesticide SprayMay 31, 2017
First-in-state to elevate community rights over corporate “rights” and recognize rights of nature...

[kane]

Are the stands near Petaluma, on Stony Point and Pet Blvd North operated by the same folks?

[kane]

By the way.
The Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems at UC Santa Cruz has long experience with Organic Strawberry growers, and OG Strawberry Production research down on the Central Coast.
https://casfs.ucsc.edu/index.html
UCSC also has a fabulous "Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture", a six-month live-in course in Organic production, sales, cultural practices etc. 2017 is their 50th Anniversary in this endeavour. If you want to know more about it, you can contact me through here I guess ;)

If you haven't stopped there yet, Swantons Farms on Hwy 1 just North of Santa Cruz, near Davenport, is well worth a rest break. Pies, Shortcake, Jams, all with Certified Organic strawberries grown by them or their associated farms.
They've been Organic a long time and could be a resource for the farmers on Hwy 12 to connect with.

I'd have more sympathy with the Hwy 12 growers if they hadn't been misleading people for years by saying they were organic.

over and out

[kane]

I'm curious if there is anyone mapping County vineyards as to Organic or not, Herbicides or not?
This would be a great resource for consumers and TOURISTS to leverage local vineyardists to reduce or eliminate Herbicides. Perhaps an informal signage program along our roads? "this vineyard sprays X, enjoy your wine".
I suppose this might run afoul of anti-disparagement laws Ag has lobbied into the state codes? Anyone have insights?
I see a lot of "sustainable" signs for wine, but that's rather like a "Natural" declaration, pretty meaningless.

OK, it's pretty simple on Google Maps to create a custom map, like This;
Herbicide Usage on Vineyards in Sonoma County
For now this is a fake map, showing a sample property which has no herbicide usage today. Click on the color-coded plot to see how Google displays info. Could be color-labeled for herbicides, pesticides, CCOF, OR TILTH, USDA, years organic, "no comment from grower", etc.

Later, for conventional farms, could color-label "burnt weeds observed", "spray-rig spotted", "Transitional to Organic" etc.

Pointing to documented pesticide-free farms might be one way to build a dataset while avoiding legal implications of calling-out corporate persons for usage of currently legal substances.

This was stream-of-consciousness, so may be headed for a topic all its own. Reply directly to me with ideas so this topic isn't cluttered by this.

[Shepherd]

Wine and Water Watch (www.winewaterwatch.org) has a list of organic and other vineyards that it recommends, though not a map, on its website.

I'm curious if there is anyone mapping County vineyards as to Organic or not, Herbicides or not?...

[BobHeisler]

Is the strawberry stand on the north side of highway 12 near Sebastopol organic?

[nicofrog]

I am one of the gardeners for Children's Museum of Sonoma County . the kids love strawberries and we were getting NONE this spring
we are not certified organic but I guess needless to say we do not use pesticides or herbicides in our veggie garden.

so here's what I do so far (pill bugs ,pincer bugs,and some other funny looking bugs seem to be the big eaters, I removed all the MULCH from the berries including their natural "duff" ((normally accept on tomatoes, I love mulch and put it everywhere. we had co co mulch that also harbours mold)) the next step is personally lifting up and propping up all the berries so they do not touch the ground,any berry left touching the ground is pretty much doomed to be eaten by pill bugs primarily or small slugs.

I confess to hand killing many thousands of these animals. When I get to "heaven" I'm going to have some explaining to do!!

however now the kids are finding lots of big juicy Strawbs every day .if farms did this they would probably be like 10 or 20 bucks a lb!

good lucK! the Diatomecious earth we put down did not seem to be working on the sow bugs ,and seems to kill lady bugs quickly.

[Barry]

Is the strawberry stand on the north side of highway 12 near Sebastopol organic?

No! That's what the fuss is about.
Here is their documented herbicide and pesticide applications:

Expand

See more info here.

[Imagery]

Quite honestly, I make a conscious choice to support this particular small farmer. I rinse off my strawberries of course, but I'm very absolutely certain (willing to bet my life on it) that I'm not getting out of this life alive, and one thing or another is going to kill me. While I'm certain that there are people here who wish to attempt to live forever, I'd rather live than be so busy worrying about everything that could possibly hurt me.

Just my - not that I can afford much more.

[Ronaldo]

"Most ladybugs are predators. They eat other insects, most of which are considered pests to humans who like to grow plants for food or beauty. They are often called a ‘gardener’s best friend’." :