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Ag Report: EPA refuses to ban controversial pesticide, using groundwater, and 27th Annual Teachers' Ag Seminar

Posted at 9:58 AM, Jul 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-19 12:59:18-04

A common pesticide that scientists say causes brain damage in kids and fetuses will keep going on in our fruits, vegetables, and other crops. The EPA says it won't ban chlorpyrifos because opponents didn't prove the pesticide is hazardous. Advocates could still appeal. The pesticide is banned in household products but is fairly common on farms to protect crops.

Meantime, wet winters help replenish underground water supplies and a number of irrigation districts throughout the state help the process along through a technique called "conjunctive use." The method coordinates the use of surface water and groundwater supplies within a region. One Fresno County water district said it has been using the technique for 100 years -- moving water into recharge basins -- to filter into underground water tables.

Finally, it's the 27th installment of Teachers' Ag Seminar at the Kern County Ag Pavilion. Organizers say there are 45 teachers registered from Kern and around the state. The three-day program is designed to give teachers an in-depth course on agriculture and learn from those who work every day to provide food and fiber. It also includes tours with local farmers and ranchers at the Kern County Fair's School Garden and other organizations. The seminar gets underway Monday and wraps up on Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day at the ag pavilion on East Belle Terrace.