(by Sharon Selvaggio, Healthy Wildlife and Water Program Director)This blog is the first in a series that will explore new pesticide technologies – and what they mean for your health.   Pesticides are those nasty chemicals that come in jugs at the garden store, right? Not always. Research and development in “plant protection” is resulting in a slew of emerging technologies straight out of science fiction. Merging genetics with biochemistry, the industry is figuring out how to force living things to produce their own pesticides. Continue reading

Organic agriculture and other conservation programs help keep harmful pesticides out of our water. This benefits our multi-billion dollar West Coast salmon fishery, and makes agriculture safer for people, too.   Continue reading

Test your soil in early winter for a happy, organic, spring garden. You’ve harvested your garden and composted any leftover debris. Aside from maybe a rake, you’ve put away your tools for the winter and are enjoying a cup of hot chocolate on the couch. But hold up a minute. There are a few tasks you might have missed that will help you out in the spring and will eliminate the need for synthetic fertilizers and weed killers. Continue reading

Giving Thanks for a Community Leader: Lotte Streisinger, 1927-2017 by Kristi Johnson, NCAP We here at NCAP owe a debt of gratitude to Lotte, but you may not realize that you do, too. Let me introduce you to this artist and community activist. Continue reading

The weather change from warm to cooler weather can often bring pests from the outside into your home. Preparing your home, garage or workplace for the temperature change can reduce costs by saving energy and electricity. Simple maintenance and improvements can exclude pests, which eliminates the need for pesticides such as insecticides or rodenticides. Continue reading