Californians for Pesticide Reform is a statewide coalition of over 200 organizations guided by the belief that together we can fundamentally shift the way pesticides are used in California to build a more just and sustainable food system.

To protect public health, improve environmental quality and support a sustainable and just agricultural system by building a diverse movement across California to change statewide and local pesticide policies and practices.

Eliminate use of the worst pesticides–including those that cause cancer, reproductive harm or acute poisoning.

Reduce overall use of the remaining pesticides.

Promote the use of sustainable pest control solutions in our farms, communities, forests, homes and yards.

Protect people’s right-to-know about pesticide use in our neighborhoods, counties and state.

CPR uses community organizing, legislation, policy work, litigation, community-based bio-monitoring and air monitoring, and media to achieve our goals.

We build power and leadership with communities on the front lines of pesticide exposure—particularly low-income communities and communities of color—so those most affected can lead the fight for more just and livable conditions.

By partnering with grassroots groups to win local policy change and connecting community leaders across California, CPR advances lasting statewide solutions to pesticide harms in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings.

David Chatfield

Former Executive Director (1945–2021)

David was the Executive Director of CPR for 14 years until 2011, when he retired. Prior to joining CPR in 1997, David was California Director of Clean Water Action. He worked for Greenpeace for ten years before that, primarily as the Southwest Regional Executive Director, but also as International Pesticide Coordinator, and, for two years, Chair of the Greenpeace national board of directors. From 1977 to 1985, he was International Director of Friends of the Earth. David worked with the American Friends Service Committee in the 1970’s. In his retirement, David was Chair of the national Greenpeace Fund Board, and served on the boards of Pesticide Action Network, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, California Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, the Global Greengrants Fund and California-based Greenaction. Apart from his many contributions to social and environmental justice movements, maybe the most notable characteristic of David is that he made everyone lucky enough to spend time with him better, more compassionate and kinder human beings. David’s memory and spirit lives on through all those he touched, and he is greatly missed.

Teresa DeAnda

Former Central Valley Coordinator (1959–2014)

In addition to being CPR’s coordinator in the San Joaquin Valley from 2003 until 2012, Teresa was the President and Director of El Comité Para el Bienestar de Earlimart, in Earlimart, a small farmworker town in Tulare County, California’s Central Valley. Teresa started the organization after a pesticide drift incident that occurred in Earlimart in November 1999, when a toxic cloud of pesticides drifted onto her agriculture-surrounded community, making 180 people ill. Teresa testified many times on the need for adequate response to poisoning events to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. She spoke at CPR’s February, 2003 Drift Conference on the theme, “Absolutely Never Do Nothing.” Teresa served on the advisory boards of the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment and Latino Issues Forum. Teresa was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, and passed away in October 2014. Teresa was a tireless environmental justice advocate whose profound legacy—and whose laughter, kindness, creativity, and playfulness—will remain deeply in our hearts and continue to shape the movement and lives she touched.