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Watsonville
December 23, 2025

Strawberry Commission reports healthy fruit, high demand

According to the California Strawberry Commission, about 90% of all strawberries in the U.S. are grown in California. The fruit thrives in the state, due to its need for year-round moderate weather, which allows its roots to grow strong and stable.  On the Central Coast, consistent...

Local nursery buzzing amidst pandemic, winter months

With most people staying close to home during the pandemic, looking for things to do and ways to stay safe, local nurseries have seen an uptick in customers. Stay-at-home orders have prompted many to find new hobbies—and gardening has been a popular choice. Sierra Azul...

Keeping the tradition alive

Walking through a rose garden, it can be hard to resist bending down to take a whiff of at least one flower.

USDA Secretary visits Watsonville

Hosted by Congressman Jimmy Panetta and joined by Congressman Doug LaMalfa, the trio fielded questions from farmers, farmworkers and other agriculture industry personnel from across the Central Coast to discuss policies and federal programs in hopes of improving and investing in agriculture innovation.

Female growers and innovators to be featured at EcoFarm 2019

Conference to feature wide range of women-focused events, feature female panelists and keynote speakers.

Orchard offers u-pick roses, outdoor fun

There is now a new way to assemble your own bouquet of roses, thanks to a pick-your-own rose venue at Birdsong Orchards in Watsonville. Owner Nadine Schaeffer said she is growing dozens of varieties of roses on her 8-acre parcel where she also tends to...

Agriculture Tech degree launches at Cabrillo College

Cabrillo College has announced the launch of a new Associate of Science degree in Sustainable Agriculture Technology.

A chat with Integrity Wines’ Mark Hoover

Integrity Wines, located at the Watsonville Municipal Airport, has been in Watsonville for two years.

Farmers, ranchers celebrate defeat of split-roll tax measure

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CALIFORNIA—Crediting a unified effort by California farmers, ranchers and their organizations, California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson thanked voters for rejecting the split-roll tax measure on the Nov. 3 ballot. The initiative, Proposition 15, would have allowed reassessment and higher property taxes on a...

Education to empower

The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) aims to give opportunities to aspiring farmers through various training programs. In the classroom and on the field, students at ALBA are taught everything from crop planning to business management.
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Watsonville names new Police Chief

The city of Watsonville has selected Brian Shab as its next police chief, city officials announced Tuesday. Shab, who has more than 27 years of...