Job at a Garden Center but Fear of Pesticides/Herbicides

Hey all.

I'm looking for a job and there is a place a few block from my house that sells garden supplies. I garden, try to learn as much as I can about agriculture, etc. and the guy that owns the store also teaches classes at the community center about sustainable agriculture. They also, like most garden stores, have a lot of pesticides and herbicides and such, which I'm not very comfortable being around.

So on the one hand, it would be a job where I could work doing something that I actually have an interest in and enjoy (gardening/agriculture)

But on the other hand, I would probably have to be dealing with dangerous products quite often (peoples' main response to problems in life seems to be to just nuke the problem with something: RAID, round up, missiles, etc. so I bet they sell a lot of pesticides/herbicides)

Does anyone here work at a garden store/center and have/had the same concerns?

What have you done about it if so?

Thanks!

Hi Nolan

I landscape for a garden center and like you I'm no fan if herbicides and pesticides. They use them regularly, I just have to deal with it. Get the job it's worth it. I try to educate customers about companion plantings, crop rotations, and other natural remedies. You would be surprised how many people are interested. Wealthy people will refuse to listen though they order round up by the gallons. I refuse to use the stuff but out foreman is trained in herbicides and waits till I leave. Try to influence people instead if turning down a good opportunity. Poisons are everywhere, in our soil in our rain in our air. Simply boycotting wont do anything. We have to educate others to make a difference. Good luck.

They are going to hire someone. If you take the job, it's likely that a little less or a lot less poison will be sold. That's good for everything except for the company's finances. This loss could be made up by you pushing natural controls and a great variety of plants which eliminate the need for poison.

Many garden centers host public information events which can include talks by accomplished gardeners, authors and meetings of garden clubs. I you were to set up and host such events, you could find many like minded allies to share their knowledge with your customers. If you were to develop and manage a variety of such events, the whole town would have the opportunity to learn about gardening and the dangers of herbicides and pesticides. There may be a radio station that needs some gardening tips filler for a morning show. Become that guy. All of this activity is bound to increase the customer base and secure your position within the company.

Those are really good ideas. Thanks for the replies!

I'm not the most outspoken person, and I wouldn't want to piss off the owner by harming his sales. I worry that I might not know enough to inform people of alternatives. I like to think I know a fair amount, but I would hate to give out ineffective information or something. Might make the store loom bad.

Doug Hollman wrote: . I refuse to use the stuff but out foreman is trained in herbicides and waits till I leave. Try to influence people instead if turning down a good opportunity. Poisons are everywhere, in our soil in our rain in our air. Simply boycotting wont do anything. We have to educate others to make a difference. Good luck.

My friend told me to tell the store that I don't feel comfortable using pesticides/herbicides, but I feel like if I say that then they might not consider me for employment.

I agree about the poisons being everywhere.

Thanks for the reply!