Hemet residents say nearby farm is to blame for flies, health problems

While city officials investigate, a consultant for Joyful Farm denies the operation is harming anyone's health. Residents of southwestern Hemet are looking for answers and relief and they struggle with health issues and pest problems they allege are due to the farming practices of Joyful Farm, a vegetable grower near the city’s Cottonwood community. Aidy Young, a consultant for the farm who sells organic soil enhancer to the business, denied the farm is using harmful substances or damaging residents’ health.“It’s a normal farming operation,” he said in an interview. “We don’t use illegal stuff.”Young added that the farm only uses green waste, not cow or chicken manure. He said Joyful uses pesticides that are certified by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and that issues with flies are seasonal.Joyful Farm, which cultivates Asian vegetables, sits on a 450-acre property that abuts residences in southwestern Hemet.