Youth Fights Back Against Methyl Iodide

The strawberry farmers in Watsonville California are not jumping on the methyl iodide bandwagon, even though it was approved for use as a pesticide last year. The youth in their community are becoming activists and discouraging the use of this toxic chemical. Two young women, started a club at their school and even made anti-methyl iodide presentations to the school board, mayor, and City Council. It worked, as formal resolutions against the pesticide were officially adopted. The girls also made bi-lingual flyers which discussed the health risks to give to farmers and their families.

Even though the girls were discouraged by the state officially allowing methyl iodide, they are making a difference. "If a grower registers to use methyl iodide in Santa Cruz or Monterey County, they will immediately become a target for sustained nonviolent direct action against their company, at their offices, in their fields," These young women are part of a larger story. The Hispanic communities in California are most impacted by pesticides, due to a large number of farmers. There is a growing trend of activism within these communities.