California Rodeo Salinas unveils 2026 commemorative poster
SALINAS — California Rodeo Salinas has unveiled its 2026 commemorative poster, a striking tribute to patriotism and tradition.
This year’s design features Retired Sgt. First Class James “Guido” Davis parachuting the American flag into the arena from 5,000 feet above — a moment that has...
Monterey County launches cannabis equity survey
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Cannabis Program is in the process of assessing how communities have been impacted by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs and exploring how to more equitably develop this new industry.
Tier 1 funding from the California Office of Business...
Lavender season comes alive in Greenfield with U-Pick, yoga and more
GREENFIELD — For the first time ever, Lavender Creek, a family-owned wellness brand and working lavender farm near Greenfield in South Monterey County, is opening its fragrant fields to the public this summer.
Beginning Saturday, May 24, and running through the end of June, guests...
Cannabis represents 10 percent of Monterey County crop production as fruits, nuts decline
SALINAS VALLEY — Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales has released the county’s 2019 Crop Report, which included an evaluation of cannabis production for the first time.
“This report reflects a production value of $4,409,992,000, which is an increase of 3.5 percent from 2018,” Gonzales...
Gonzales City Council adopts ordinance to protect farms
GONZALES — At its April 17 meeting, Gonzales City Council adopted an Agricultural Resource Mitigation Ordinance, which adds a new chapter — Agricultural Resource Mitigation — to the Gonzales Municipal Code Zoning Regulations.
“This step is a major commitment by the City of Gonzales to...
CRU Winery in Soledad makes history as a Blue Zones Project participant
SOLEDAD — CRU Winery’s tasting room has been designated a Blue Zones Project Participating Organization — the first of its kind to join the health initiative in Monterey County.
The acknowledgment recognizes CRU Winery for actively implementing lifestyle changes and environmental modifications to promote longevity...
CRU Winery celebrates 20th anniversary at Soledad, Madera tasting rooms
SOLEDAD — CRU Winery will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with special tastings, wine dinners and a commemorative 20th anniversary bottling.
Wine lovers can take part in CRU Winery’s 20th anniversary tastings at its Santa Lucia Highlands (Soledad) and Central Valley (Madera) tasting rooms Sept. 9-10....
Women in agtech: Fatma Kaplan
Editor’s Note: The following profile is an excerpt from Amy Wu’s book, “From Farms to Incubators: Women Innovators Revolutionizing How Our Food is Grown,” which tells the stories of women entrepreneurs who are transforming agriculture through high technology.
Fatma Kaplan’s advice to her younger self...
Newsom signs bill to protect farmworkers from wildfire smoke
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 73, Assemblymember Robert Rivas’ Farmworker Wildfire Smoke Protections Act, into law on Sept. 27.
California’s wildfire season, combined with heat waves and the Covid-19 pandemic, has helped shine a light on the necessary safety protocols agricultural...
Monterey County Fair Junior Livestock Auction returns with in-person show Saturday
MONTEREY — The thrill of in-person bidding at a livestock auction with live auctioneers and an engaged audience returns this Saturday, Aug. 28, with the Monterey County Fair Junior Livestock Auction.
The 2021 auction, returning for the first time since 2019, begins at 10 a.m....
Local News
Hartnell College hosts NASA engineering challenges for students
SALINAS — Hartnell College’s K-12 STEAM Program hosted three NASA Integrated Engineering Challenges last month as part of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars...
