Agricultural economist Charles Benbrook will lead a pair of discussions this week in Des Moines and Iowa City about pesticide use, agricultural economics and public health. The first event, “Pesticide Litigation, Farmer Health, and Agricultural Economics” is tonight from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Iowa State Bar Association meeting room in Des Moines. The event will explore the complexities and science related to pesticide litigation in the United States. The second event, a public lecture “Pesticides, Farming, & the Future of Public Health in Iowa,” will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Iowa City Senior Center, Room 302. Benbrook will share insights on the latest research linking glyphosate-based herbicides to rising cancer rates and address the potential ramifications of the pesticide preemption bill currently under consideration in the Iowa Legislature. Both events are free and open to the public. The events are hosted in partnership with the Iowa Farmers Union, Food & Water Watch, and the Drake Agricultural Law Center.