Focus on Agriculture

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County’s agricultural production value declined 3% in 2025 from the previous year’s record, totaling $4.82 billion as growers navigated fluctuating tariffs, rising production costs and shifting market conditions, according to the county’s annual Crop and Livestock Report released last week. The...

GONZALES — Gonzales resident Liz Silva received a huge surprise last month when she was awarded the Ag Woman of the Year from the Grower-Shipper Foundation. “When it was announced that I had received the Ag Woman of the Year, I was so happy and...

SALINAS VALLEY — Carnival lights glowed over the midway, children clutched sweet treats and livestock exhibitors proudly guided animals through crowded barns as thousands of visitors gathered for the 82nd annual Salinas Valley Fair from May 14-17 at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King...

SALINAS VALLEY — This year’s Salinas Valley Fair Kick-Off delivered a standout evening of community support, raising $121,800 — the highest profit since 2018 — and building strong momentum for the 82nd annual Salinas Valley Fair, set for May 14-17. More than 500 guests gathered...

GREENFIELD — Greenfield native Jennifer Trujillo still remembers a back-to-school night from her elementary school days. Her parents arrived quite late, still in their work clothes, and stepped into her classroom, the cool air conditioning washing over their skin. This is why you need to...

SALINAS VALLEY — Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) and the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) have extended the deadline of a new well registration program that was established to better understand and protect groundwater resources in the Salinas Valley. All well owners...

GREENFIELD — City of Greenfield and Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority, also known as Salinas Valley Recycles, unveiled a new community mural, “El Alma de la Tierra,” last Tuesday at Patriot Park in Greenfield. The mural, created by local artist Hanif Panni in collaboration with...

MONTEREY COUNTY — The nation’s oldest farmworker union announced Tuesday that it has canceled all events celebrating labor organizer César Chávez after allegations surfaced that he sexually assaulted several women and girls. “As a women-led organization that exists to empower communities, the allegations about abusive...

CENTRAL COAST — Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) is helping to advance agriculture technology (agtech) and workforce development across the Central Coast, supporting a statewide initiative that aims to create well-paying jobs and strengthen the region’s economy. MBEP, a regional economic development organization, co-founded and...

National Agriculture Week 2026 will be observed March 15-21, with National Ag Day falling on March 24. The annual week highlights the vital role agriculture plays in the United States — providing food, jobs and economic stability — and encourages Americans to recognize the industry’s contributions...