On Sunday morning at 7 a.m., I was awakened to a thunderous sound that seemed to be just outside my bedroom. It was a loud, mechanical noise that shook my windows. I looked out the window to see a helicopter spraying the avocado orchard just below me. Yes, once again, the farmer below me had decided that 7 a.m. on Sunday morning was the perfect time to spray his fields!
The thunderous noise continued for nearly three hours. I contacted the Ventura Police Department, but the operator said they had no jurisdiction and that it was probably a county issue.
I watched in amazement as the helicopter sprayed right next to the houses that bordered the field. He was approximately 20 feet above them. He then turned over both Foothill and Telegraph roads, with cars beneath him on several occasions. He did not seem to have any pattern that might have had less impact on the residents. He sprayed the field next to us a few times, then went off to another field, then came back again. He seemed to be able to make only three to five passes every time, which is why it took him so long.
Several questions occurred to me. Is the chemical he was spraying safe for humans and animals? Why was he spraying on a Sunday morning at 7 a.m.? How about Monday morning at 9 a.m. when more people are awake? Why not finish the field next to the residences first in an effort to have less impact? How many other families did he awaken?
The wind was 5 miles per hour out of the south\southwest, which was blowing slightly away from the residences. However, the spray was blown several dozen feet away from the orchard due to the rotors churning away. Is that safe? Is it the best way to manage this job?
— Doug Messner, Ventura
Educating Mr. Messner - The 'Farmer' didn't decide to spray his avacado orchard at 7am on Sunday Morning - The spraying company did! The Farmer has to call up when his orchard needs sprayed, and is at the mercy of the spray company as to their available schedule, date, and time of the service. In the meantime, the farmer hopes that his trees and the potential fruit aren't damaged by pests. I wake up to the sound of lawnmowers and blowers every saturday morning at 7 am.....I had to get used to it - that's the price I pay for living in a town. Mr. Messner - I'd be willing to bet the avacado orchard was there before you (and most of the neighboring homes) were. If you don't like the sounds of farming, the dirt, the smell, the inconvenience - then move to the city where you can listen to the sound of traffic and ongoing construction all day. The farmers were here first - this is a farming county - Oh, and by the way - Farmer's don't poison humans or animals! They provide you with food on your table - next time you have an avacado on your salad or a nice guacomole dip - be thankful that the avacado wasn't full of spider eggs, rat damage, or some other kind of pest damage. I doubt you'd be willing to by any vegetable at the store in that condition.
Educating Mr. Messner - The 'Farmer' didn't decide to spray his avacado orchard at 7am on Sunday Morning - The spraying company did! The Farmer has to call up when his orchard needs sprayed, and is at the mercy of the spray company as to their available schedule, date, and time of the service. In the meantime, the farmer hopes that his trees and the potential fruit aren't damaged by pests. I wake up to the sound of lawnmowers and blowers every saturday morning at 7 am.....I had to get used to it - that's the price I pay for living in a town. Mr. Messner - I'd be willing to bet the avacado orchard was there before you (and most of the neighboring homes) were. If you don't like the sounds of farming, the dirt, the smell, the inconvenience - then move to the city where you can listen to the sound of traffic and ongoing construction all day. The farmers were here first - this is a farming county - Oh, and by the way - Farmer's don't poison humans or animals! They provide you with food on your table - next time you have an avacado on your salad or a nice guacomole dip - be thankful that the avacado wasn't full of spider eggs, rat damage, or some other kind of pest damage. I doubt you'd be willing to by any vegetable at the store in that condition.