Strawberries once again take top spot as crop values rise
MONTEREY COUNTY—Monterey County agriculture’s gross production value bounced back by 4.8% in 2021 to just over $4.1 billion, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that also resulted in supply chain shortages.
This increase represents a $190 million rise from 2020, when the gross production value was...
Western Growers launches new job board
Western Growers is rolling out its Careers in Ag Job Center, a jobs platform exclusively for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related careers within the agricultural industry.
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.
Farm Discovery at Live Earth raises $87K for education, produce programs
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville-based organization Farm Discovery at Live Earth announced that it raised $87,800 at its annual benefit dinner on Sept. 24.
“Mesa: Farm Discovery Fall Feast in the Fields” was held at Live Earth Farm in Watsonville, and drew attendance from across the region. Guests were...
Farm Bureau receives awards
The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau (SCCFB) was honored with five County Activities of Excellence Awards, and was a finalist in the statewide Innovator Awards at the California Farm Bureau’s 104th meeting in early December.
A local delegation of five attended the annual meeting in...
PRHS FFA welding team wins state championship
Recently, the Paso Robles High School Future Farmers of America welding team concluded an undefeated season with its first-ever first place win at the California State FFA Agriculture Welding Championship. In addition to winning the overall championship,
100 years and counting
On June 22, the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau will call to order at its annual meeting for the 100th time.
Watsonville High graduate makes national FFA competition
WATSONVILLE—Juan Herrera has been keeping busy since he graduated from Watsonville High School (WHS) in 2021.
After landing a job with K&D Landscaping while still in school, Herrera rose up through the ranks, starting in the maintenance crew and finally working on larger residential and...
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...
Calabasas students plant garden at Whisky Hill Farms
An eager group of fifth graders filed through fresh beds of dirt at Whisky Hill Farm (WHF) in Watsonville Sept. 13, ready to plant their very own seedlings.
Laura Arnow’s fifth grade class from Calabasas Elementary School were there to finally transplant crops they had...
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...