Focus on Agriculture

Total organic fresh produce sales for the first quarter of 2021 saw a continuation of last year’s growth, increasing by 9.3% from the same period in 2020 and topping $2.2 billion for the quarter, according to the Q1 2021 Organic Produce Performance Report released...

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...

San Luis Obispo 1st District Supervisor John Peschong said May 9 that the local farm stand that has been the centerpiece of a large grassroots rescue effort has been given until Oct. 1, the end of the growing season, to find a new and lawful location.

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

During the winter of 2006-2007, beekeepers across the country began noticing a steep decline in bee populations.

WATSONVILLE—A new pilot program to inform residents of hazardous pesticide applications at area farmlands, under the umbrella of the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, will go into motion in August.  The program was outlined by Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo at a community meeting at...

The Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) recently announced Andy Fisher as its new Executive Director. The selection was made after an extensive national search.

Members and staff of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County came together at Watsonville Slough Farm on Aug. 5 to commemorate the work they've accomplished.

By Jazmine Juarez, Special to the Pajaronian WATSONVILLE—Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to take urgent steps to protect farmworkers and the food supply chain in the wake of COVID-19.  Following reports of 41 agricultural workers being diagnosed with COVID-19 in...