No-Spray testimony

Farm without Harm

By Shepherd Bliss, No Spray Action Network

(Testimony given Feb. 27 before Santa Rosa City Council in support of resolution to oppose forced pesticide spraying.)

I own the organic Kokopelli Farm, in unincorporated Sonoma County. Why would a farmer living outside city limits come to speak to the Santa Rosa City Council? I have three main reasons:

l) I am among over 100 food farmers on the Farm Trails. Santa Rosa is my economic base. Most of my customers live here. They come directly to my farm to buy. Forced pesticide spraying would instantly destroy my organic farm and livilihood. Even the thought of that chemical trespass and assault breaks my heart. I would be one of the many organic farmers and gardeners sacrificed at the feet of the powerful wine industry.

2) To inform you that Santa Rosa is the most at-risk place for forced spraying in Sonoma County. People have the mistaken notion that this insect arrives at vineyards. Actually, it hitchikes on landscaping plants, so it usually appears first in nurseries in cities.

The sharpshooter is totally harmless to people, but it might harm some vines. Spraying would harm both insects and humans. The former head of the State of California Hazards Assessment Program, Dr. Marc Lappe, a toxicologist writes, \"Nobody