APPLETON, Wis. — Pesticides are designed to kill, repel or disrupt living things that are considered pests. Some people and businesses are trying to use alternatives to pesticides.


What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 50 million Americans obtain their drinking water from the ground potentially contaminated by pesticides or other chemicals
  • Corn gluten meal is an organic alternative to pesticides
  • Signs of good soil health means seeing signs of life
  • 1.8 billion people engage in agriculture worldwide

Vande Hey Company maintenance supervisor, Angela Ryczkowski, said the company uses corn gluten meal for their plants. She said it is one of the only non-toxic products of its kind.

Corn gluten meal is the bi-product of corn processing and it has a variety of uses.

“It’s one of the few organics that you can use as a pre-emergent,” said Ryczkowski. “It’ll stop weed seeds from sprouting.”

(Spectrum News 1/Geno Perez)

Ryczkowski takes samples and evaluates them for microbes, pollinators and overall health of the soil. She said it makes her excited about the area when she sees positive signs of life.

“When a landscape is organic or at least using environmentally friendly practices,” said Ryczkowski. “You can see under the microscope … a lot more signs of life.”

(Spectrum News 1/Geno Perez)

Microbes, pollen and soil are not the only things found in the ground. Worms can be found too. Angela said worms might not have survived with the use of pesticides. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, nearly 1.8 billion people engage in agriculture. Most of whom use pesticides to protect the food and commercial products they produce. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 50 million Americans get their drinking water from the ground potentially contaminated by pesticides or other chemicals. 

(Spectrum News 1/Geno Perez)

Ryczkowski said she felt a responsibility to help the environment through her work. Being able to see things grow while also working outside is special to her.  

Whether you are a homeowner or farmer, Ryczkowski said taking care of the environment makes a huge difference no matter how big or small.