New study reveals farmworker pesticide exposure in Idaho. The study by Boise State University in collaboration with Idaho Organization of Resource Councils Director Irene Ruiz, reveals that Latinx farmworkers in Idaho have traces of various pesticides in their urine samples. … Continued
Dear Idaho Organization of Resource Councils members and supporters, My name is Irene Ruiz, IORC’s new Executive Director. I am pleased to be able to take on this amazing opportunity with a great organization that has worked towards grassroots organizing … Continued
If you haven’t heard, the U.S. The Department of Labor established new rules in 2023 to protect farmworkers from exploitation and retaliation. However, Attorney General Raul Labrador has blocked these protections, prioritizing profit over human lives. Idaho’s guest worker program, … Continued
Editor’s Note: This blog was written by Samantha Guerrero, the Community Organizer and Communications Coordinator at the Idaho Organization of Resource Councils, and edited by Adrian Gallo, the Climate Program Manager at the Idaho Conservation League. You can find this … Continued
IORC members testify against a bill to allow pesticide manufacturers immunity from claims their chemicals have harmed farmworkers and others, protecting chemical companies from billion-dollar claims. On February 6th, 2024, the Pesticide Immunity Bill (Senate Bill 1245) was approved on … Continued
This story was originally published at Homegrown Stories. In 2020, Marielena Vega met a farmworker with a disturbing story. While he was working in a field one day, he noticed a crop-duster flying close by. When he warned his foreman … Continued
In the summer of 2016, I was talking with a co-worker about my interest in local food procurement and regenerative agriculture and she referred me to IORC, a local grassroots organization working on those very issues. I recall being pretty … Continued
The second session of the 66th Idaho Legislature wrapped up on March 31. The theme of this session was more of the same old story we have seen year in and year out. In many ways, this session seemed unspectacular … Continued
Food access is a cornerstone social justice issue of our lifetime. In 2020 IORC organizers Irene Ruiz and Samantha Guerrero helped create The Idaho Immigrant Resource Alliance to bring emergency aid to the Idaho Farmworker and immigrant community. These communities … Continued
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is initiating rulemaking to protect outdoor and indoor workers from hazardous heat exposure. We ask that you voice your support for federal outdoor and indoor hazardous heat exposure standards by clicking here . … Continued