KINGSBURG – State regulators are looking to clip the wings of an aerial pesticide applicator following allegations of repeated safety violations.
On Dec. 9, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) announced that it will be seeking monetary and licensing penalties against Trinkle Ag Flying, a Kingsburg-based aerial pesticide applicator. The accusation filed by the DPR alleges that Trinkle Ag Flying caused drift damage to a non-target almond orchard and committed multiple worker safety violations.
“Trinkle Ag Flying has repeatedly violated rules designed to protect people, the environment and private property,” said DPR Deputy Director of Enforcement Ken Everett in a statement. “These are serious violations, and the department will seek serious penalties for unsafe pesticide use to protect all Californians.”
The DPR seeks to revoke or suspend Trinkle Ag’s pest control business license, as well as the qualified applicator and pilot licenses of owner Mark R. Trinkle Jr. Revoking or suspending the license would prevent the company from applying pesticides for hire, but in addition to this, the DPR is also seeking a $30,000 fine.
The pair of violations alleged in the accusation occurred in 2024. The DPR alleges that on Jan. 16, Trinkle and the company violated numerous worker protection requirements during an application on a Hanford farm.
According to the accusation, Mark R. Trinkle refused to cooperate with a Kings County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office inspector, moving forward with the application despite “visible worker health and safety violations” involving inadequate protective equipment for the employees handling and mixing chemicals.
The second violation allegedly occurred on Feb. 13, when Trinkle, on behalf of the company, was applying herbicides on a Visalia cornfield. The accusation states that the chemicals illegally drifted onto a neighboring almond field, causing damages in the estimated amount of $32,000. The Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office investigated the incident.
The Mid Valley Times reached out to Trinkle Ag Flying for a comment, but did not receive a response before the time of publication.
