Focus on Agriculture

SALINAS — The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) hosted Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Jimmy Panetta and their staff alongside agricultural leaders and stakeholders for a field day visit to the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Salinas station. The Oct. 21 visit highlighted the critical organic...

CALIFORNIA — Arcadia Publishing has announced the publication of “California Agriculture,” a new history of the state’s agriculture industry by author Patti DesMarais. The 128-page paperback is part of Arcadia’s “Images of America” book series, featuring historical information and photographs. Beginning with the Spanish padres in...

SALINAS VALLEY — In an effort to increase groundwater recharge and storage while reducing flooding, four local agencies and nonprofits collaborating on the Multi-benefit Land Repurposing Program are seeking public input about known areas of flooding and recharge. A public survey is now open and...

SOLEDAD — U.S. Congressman Jimmy Panetta met with leaders from Braga Fresh and Farm Journal Foundation on Oct. 9 to discuss how support for agricultural research and development can benefit global food and nutrition security. The meeting included a tour of Braga Fresh’s produce farming...

SALINAS — “America’s Heartland,” the first nationally broadcast agriculture series of its kind in the United States, has returned for its 18th season with 10 new episodes featuring unique crops grown on diverse, locally-owned farms. This season, “America’s Heartland” highlights the Salinas Valley’s Agriculture and...

GREENFIELD — Lavender Creek Co., Monterey County’s local family-run lavender wellness brand, has announced a new partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Quilters Guild, providing locally grown lavender for the handcrafted eye pillows donated to CHOMP, Salinas Valley Health, Natividad and the VNA. The eye pillows...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Over the past two weeks, multiple agricultural businesses in Monterey County have been targeted by a wave of burglaries, resulting in the theft of valuable equipment. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Ag Crimes Unit has been actively investigating these incidents, leading to...

SALINAS VALLEY — A dangerous herbicide banned immediately by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been sprayed on crops in many California counties and has contaminated groundwater in low concentrations in the Salinas Valley and Santa Barbara County. The weed-killing chemical, known as DCPA or...

GREENFIELD — Lavender Creek, a family-owned lavender farm and wellness brand located in South Monterey County, has been awarded the 2024 Central Coast Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Business of the Year for the Monterey Bay region. The Central Coast SBDC’s recognition highlights Lavender Creek’s...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo has announced the release of the 2023 Annual Crop and Livestock Report, which recorded a production gross value of just over $4.35 billion, reflecting a 6.1% decrease from 2022. “The values represented here reflect gross values...