CAUSE
On Saturday, October 19, local high school students and farmworkers conducted a “Toxic Tour” of Santa Maria and Guadalupe to share their experiences related to pesticide exposure. Organized at the request of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), the educational tour aimed to highlight the impacts of pesticide use on vulnerable populations, particularly students attending schools near agricultural fields and local farmworkers.
The tour provided an opportunity for students and farmworkers to present their firsthand accounts to state officials, including DPR Director Julie Henderson. The event facilitated important discussions about community health and the challenges faced by those studying, working, and living in high-risk areas. CAUSE (Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy) played a key role in organizing the tour, promoting dialogue about pesticide regulations and their effects on the community.
However, the event was marred by the unexpected presence of 4th District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Bob Nelson and a group of agricultural growers, who attempted to attend the tour without prior arrangement. Their presence raised concerns among participants about creating an environment conducive to open discussion. Araceli (17), a youth farmworker expressed, “This could have been my boss or my boss’ friend, and it makes me afraid to talk about things happening at work. Would we be retaliated against?”
Another high school student, Angie (16), shared, “These grown men were standing in front of the building and wouldn’t leave. We’re just students trying to share our stories and make a positive change.”
Several members of the agricultural industry called the week of the event seeking a seat on the tour, however, by that point the bus was at capacity. Event organizers also encouraged agricultural industry representatives to organize their own separate event with DPR. Despite having been told no, they still showed up in an attempt to disrupt the educational tour. The group of growers finally left after the DPR director explained to them that they could not attend without prior confirmation. Shortly after his departure, County Supervisor Bob Nelson took to social media to express frustration at his denied entry and falsely claimed that he was “confirmed” a seat by a DPR Deputy Director.
“We welcome constructive dialogue, but we also believe it is important to create spaces where students and workers can share their experiences freely,” said Hazel Davalos, Co-Executive Director of CAUSE, “We’re talking about youth exercising their democratic right. The attempts by County Supervisor Bob Nelson to intimidate them is behavior unfitting of a county supervisor.”
The tour concluded with a productive discussion with DPR and other state agencies where youth requested more action to protect vulnerable populations from the effects of toxic chemicals, such as 1,3- dichloropropene (1,3-D), a heavy duty pesticide that’s banned in other countries, yet commonly applied on strawberry crops in California.
Daniel Segura, Associate Organizing Director with CAUSE, encourages “all community members to engage in discussions around agricultural practices and public health. Together, we can work towards a future where our children and workers can thrive in a safe and healthy environment.”
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Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) is a base-building organization committed to social, economic, and environmental justice for working-class and immigrant communities throughout California’s Central Coast. CAUSE builds grassroots power through community organizing, leadership development, coalition building, civic engagement, policy research, and advocacy. causenow.org
Not surprised. So tired of this Board. At least Das Williams was voted out. I’d love to see the entire Board turn over.
Good for those involved. It’s hard work, and taking time out of a weekend to bring attention to these issues is a noble endeavor.
Thank you, edhat, for publishing stories like this.
Below is Bob Nelson’s Facebook post where he lies about being invited. How anyone can be pro-toxic chemicals is beyond me. Vote him out.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=847477404230508&set=a.185361333775455
It seems a little strange that a State department, who is supposed to be impartial, would support and allow their logo to be plastered all over this. Kind of ironic they call it a “toxic” tour, but California is the most regulated State in the country in terms of what pesticides can be used. In fact, every legal pesticide in California has a DPR number.
How does an entity show that it is “impartial” toward toxic materials, and why?
Only your comment is strange.
BobNelson, seek counseling for your.control issues overstepping of boundaries and disrespectful behaviour..
“The attempts by County Supervisor Bob Nelson to intimidate them is behavior unfitting of a county supervisor.”
I’ll say! Nelson is someone so complacent in his privilege that he is blind to power dynamics.
Bob Nelson should be removed for intimidating and harassing children. This is absurd! He’s bought and paid for by ag corporations, he’s a MAGA loving conspiracy theorist like his predecessor. He does not represent Santa Maria. Vote him out!