A recent investigation by The Center for Investigative Reporting found that California pesticide regulators have allowed strawberry growers in the state to use dangerous fumigants despite repeated warnings from scientists.

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Strawberries are very fragile fruits. And the demand for them year-round has exploded all over the country and the world -- a demand largely met by continued pesticide use. So when it comes to strawberry production, what are the alternatives to using these harmful chemicals? Well, one farm in Ventura County that sits amidst fields and fields of big conventional strawberry farms who use synthetic pesticides is doing things differently.

Michael Roberts is an organic farmer at McGrath Family Farms in Ventura County. He says that the berries produced organically on his farm are sweeter and tastier, but they also charge more for them. And they sell directly to end-users (to chefs and customers at farmers markets) within a 50 mile radius of their farm. So McGrath Farms doesn't really see the big conventional farms -- who are shipping 85% of their product to retailers outside of California -- as competitors. 

Roberts says that McGrath's operation, who has a U-pick farm and pumpkin tours in the Fall, is fairly unique; but they hope to continue to educate people in their community about eating local and following the seasons when they choose their produce.