Santa Cruz County is testing a new method to replace chemical soil fumigants with high-temperature steam in the Pajaro Valley. The initiative, which targets berry production, aims to lower health risks for residents and students in one of California's most fumigant-heavy regions.
A $175,000 Bet on Steam in the Pajaro Valley
Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner David Sanford is leading a $175,000 pilot project funded by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). As the county news release reported , this three-month trial runs from August to November, allowing select berry producers in the Pajaro Valley to swap traditional pre-plant fumigation for high-temperature steam. The goal is to determine if this technology can effectively manage soil-borne pests without the chemical runoff associated with conventional methods.
The operational process involves injecting high-temperature steam directly into the soil before crops are planted. This thermal treatment is designed to eliminate roundworms, weeds, and various plant diseases that typically require chemical intervention. To maximize the public health benefit, the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner's office stated that test fields will be selected specifically based on their proximity to sensitive sites, such as local schools.
Replacing Chemical Fumigants Near Watsonville Schools
The push for this pilot was driven largely by Safe Ag Safe Schools (SASS), an organization that brought the proposal to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation for funding. Kathleen Kilpatrick, a retired Pajaro Valley Unified School District nurse and SASS member, has highlighted that the Pajaro Valley suffers from some of the most concentrated fumigant use in California. Because these chemicals are often used near homes and classrooms, the community has long expressed alarm over the associated health risks.
By utilizing steam, the county hopes to create a blueprint for expanding organic buffers around residential areas . Karen Morrison, director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation,noted that the project represents a critical collaboration to balance the needs of commercial growers with the safety of the surrounding community. The county is facilitating this transition through public engagement, including a meeting scheduled for August 18 at the South County Government Center in Watsonville.
The Search for a Wide-Scale Substitute to Chemical Fumigants
This local trial is part of a much larger,more difficult struggle to modernize sustainable pest management across the state. According to the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner, a study conducted by the California Council on Science and Technology found that no existing alternative can currently serve as a direct substitute for chemical fumigants on a wide scale. This admission underscores why the Pajaro Valley project is viewed as a critical test case rather than a simple implementation of existing tech.
Because the science is still evolving, the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner intends to continue researching fumigant alternatives through 2027. The current reliance on chemical fumigants is a systemic issue in California's high-intensity agriculture; if steam proves viable in the Pajaro Valley, it could trigger a shift in how berry producers across the West Coast manage their soil health and environmental impact.
Which Berry Producers Will Join the August Trial?
Despite the announcement, several critical details remain unverified. The county has not yet named the specific berry producers who will participate in the trial, nor has it disclosed the exact number of acres that will be treated with steam. Furthermore, while the report mentions testing the "viability of soil-based alternatives" in addition to steam, it does not specify what these other alternatives are.
There is also the question of economic scalability. While the $175,000 in funding from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation covers the pilot, it remains unclear if the cost of steam injection is competitive with conventional fumigation for the average grower. Without a clear cost-benefit analysis, the transition from a government-funded pilot to a market-driven standard remains an open question.
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