What has taken several years of community organizing, has finally come to fruition. Hawaii has officially become the first state in the U.S. to ban the use of chlorpyrifos, an incredibly toxic pesticide and neurotoxin. It has also been associated with learning disabilities and developmental delays within children.

The new law that has been recently implemented not only bans the use of this dangerous pesticide, but also includes an intensive regulatory system. This system demands that agrochemical companies report their use of restricted use pesticides, requires a 100-foot no spray zone around schools during school hours, and urges buffering zones to prevent pesticide drift.

After reports of children getting sick and sea creatures dying, Hawaii council members became increasingly more concerned about the use of this pesticide. After much trepidation and a few vetoes, Senate Bill Law 3095 was passed on June 13, 2018. This bill bans the use of chlorpyrifos by January of the following year. After that, this pesticide will be permanently banned in the state of Hawaii with no exceptions. Effective immediately, are mandatory reports of restricted pesticides by any and all agrochemical companies.

The main goal behind this bill is to create a more sustainable form of farming and protect infants and children from the disastrous effects of this pesticide which include headaches, nausea, vomiting, paralysis, and developmental issues.

Hopefully, more US states follow suit by eliminating harmful pesticides from their farming practices.

Want to learn how to grow your own produce free from pesticides?

Growing your own food is a sure fire way to ensure that you and your family will not be ingesting harmful pesticides. Here are some tricks for starting your own garden from our Food Monster App!

For additional tips on growing your own produce check out this guide!

Grow Fast-Sprouting Greens

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Greens like arugula, bok choy, mustard greens, and broccoli rabe sprout really quickly and will be ready to eat within a couple months of planting! All they require is good soil and a regular supply of water. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your own pesticide-free greens!

Grow Downwards to Utilize a Small Garden Space

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Sometimes all you have to work with is a small spot of land or a terrace in a busy city. Growing downwards is an excellent way to utilize a small garden space. This can be done by using hanging baskets or window boxes. You can also grow upwards by purchasing a trellis which helps plants grow up a wall!

Choose Sensible Plants

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Grow plants all year long, even during the winter, by choosing sensible plants that aren’t sun-hungry or cold-weary. Some options include kale, spinach, carrots, parsnips, radishes, potatoes, and garlic.

For more information, we recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 10,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

Lead Image Source: Scot Nelson/Flickr