Our Stories

The Latest by Kari Birdseye

Advocacy Communications Manager

Olga Santos returned for the first time to the strawberry field where she was sprayed with toxic pesticides while eating lunch with her family as a young girl.
December 5, 2014

Returning to the Scene of a Pesticide Poisoning

By Kari Birdseye  /  Policy and Legislation Team

A former farmworker works to improve field conditions

Maria Aguilera, a farmworker for 24 years, has learned to protect herself from toxic chemicals applied to the fields.
November 20, 2014

Protecting Yourself When the Workplace Won’t: Maria’s Story From the Fields

By Kari Birdseye  /  Policy and Legislation Team

Without adequate safety standards, farmworkers shield themselves from poisonous surroundings.

Graciela Silva worked for nine years in the fields harvesting lemons, lettuce, cucumbers, and strawberries. She sits in front of a monument, that includes her name, honoring local farmworkers in Santa Paula, CA.
November 12, 2014

A Farmworker’s Wish: Trustworthy Health Care to Address Pesticide Exposure

By Kari Birdseye  /  Policy and Legislation Team

Graciela Silva's story is the third blog post in a weekly series of personal narratives from farm and agricultural workers, illustrating the need for stronger worker and safety protections against pesticide exposure

Farmworker Victorino
November 5, 2014

Pesticides in the Air: A Farmworker’s Reality

By Kari Birdseye  /  California Office & Florida Office

Victorino’s story is part two in a weekly series of personal narratives from farm and agricultural workers, illustrating the need for stronger worker and safety protections against pesticide exposure. To get beyond the statistics of 10,000 to 20,000 pesticide poisonings on farms a year in this country, we go to the frontlines, beginning in California.

Andrea Hubbard is a former farmworker who now helps women protect themselves from pesticide exposure and domestic abuse.
October 28, 2014

The Farmworker Story Behind Your Cheap Food

By Kari Birdseye  /  Policy and Legislation Team

First in a series of farmworker stories, highlighting the need for better workplace protections

A child walks through a field.
August 11, 2014

Pesticides: Stories from the Frontlines, Part 4

By Kari Birdseye  /  Washington, D.C. Office

In this final installment of a weekly series, farmworkers share stories from the frontlines, illustrating why we need an even stronger standard than EPA proposes.

A cropduster sprays agricultural fields.
August 4, 2014

Pesticides: Stories from the Frontlines, Part 3

By Kari Birdseye  /  Washington, D.C. Office

In this third installment of a weekly series, farmworkers share stories from the frontlines, illustrating why we need an even stronger standard than EPA proposes.

A bag made by the child of a farmworker. The bag, embroidered with the words "Don't kill my family please," is adorned with skulls. It was presented to Sen. Charles Shumer's office by farmworkers and advocates, who had traveled to Washington, D.C. in July
July 28, 2014

Pesticides: Stories from the Frontlines, Part 2

By Kari Birdseye  /  Washington, D.C. Office

In this second installment of a weekly series, farmworkers share stories from the frontlines, illustrating why we need an even stronger standard than EPA proposes.

A farmworker picks strawberries in Wayne County, NY.
July 21, 2014

Pesticides: Stories from the Frontlines, Part 1

By Kari Birdseye  /  Policy and Legislation Team

In this first installment of a weekly series, farmworkers share stories from the frontlines, illustrating why we need an even stronger standard than EPA proposes.

Packages of d-CON on store shelves.
June 12, 2014

A Bad Month for Poisons

By Kari Birdseye  /  Headquarters Office

Some of the gravest poisoning threats to children, pets and wildlife will disappear because of agreements reached by Earthjustice.