New bill would provide $500M to agricultural fairs
SACRAMENTO—Earlier this month, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), Representatives Billy Long (R-MO), Mike Levin (D-CA), and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced bipartisan legislation aiming to help preserve agricultural fairs across the country and offset the devastating financial losses they have experienced due to Covid-19.
The Agricultural...
Ag Tech Summit returns to Hartnell College
NOTE: This article was contributed by the King City Rustler
SALINAS—The Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit returns to Hartnell College on March 17-18, promising another deep dive into the latest tactics, equipment and thinking to maximize profit and consumer satisfaction in the fresh produce industry.
The...
Farm Discovery’s Sprouts Camp set for June 26-30
Education is key at Farm Discovery. Over the years, the Watsonville nonprofit organization, held at Live Earth Farm, has offered a number of programs, camps and events to inspire youth and their families to learn about agriculture.
Paso Robles Lavender Festival returns
Far more than just a pretty face, lavender — with its tiny purple blooms and distinctive perfume — has become one of the most popular plants all across the county. To celebrate its many purposes, the Central Coast Lavender Growers Association and Paso Rob
Farm Discovery hosts annual benefit dinner at Live Earth Farm
A sweeping view of the Pajaro Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains greeted guests to Farm Discovery’s benefit dinner Saturday evening at Live Earth Farm.
Pilot program launches to recycle agricultural plastic
A new program launched by the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF), ReGen Monterey and Flipping Iron, Inc. is joining a growing effort to recycle more plastic from local farms and ranches.
CMSF, an organization aiming to protect California’s coastal ecosystems and communities, conducted an assessment...
California FarmLink receives $500K from Wells Fargo
APTOS—Wells Fargo has announced a boost to diverse small businesses with $1.7 million in grants from its Diverse Community Capital program, which offers capital and technical assistance to minority-owned small businesses through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).Â
“Diverse small businesses face unique challenges to start...
Land Trust plans Rocks Ranch conservation
AROMAS—The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County plans to protect nearly all of the 2,640-acre Rocks Ranch in Aromas from development, the organization announced Feb. 11.
The ranch has been in the spotlight recently following the San Benito County Supervisors’ intent to rezone a portion...
Citrus are summery winter fruits | Horticulture
By Tony Tomeo
Citrus seem like such summery fruits. Chilled lemonade and lemon meringue pie are best during warm weather. There are certainly plenty of lemons that ripen randomly throughout the year, and plenty that last for months on their trees. Most limes, some grapefruits...
National Agriculture Day scholarship, contest winners announced
WATSONVILLE—For years the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau (SCCFB) and the Agri-Culture organization have hosted the National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon. However, due to the current COVID- 19 pandemic, the March 18 event was postponed, and its future remains uncertain.
Despite this, the two groups...
Capitola police arrest burglary suspect
Capitola Police on Tuesday arrested a burglary suspect after a chase that involved numerous law enforcement officials, and which closed down the streets surrounding...