Focus on Agriculture

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Unit arrested a Patterson man in connection with a series of copper wire thefts totaling more than $50,000, authorities said. Detectives investigated ongoing thefts of copper wire throughout Monterey County and identified a suspect using surveillance...

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...

Farming is often thought of as a way of life and not just a job. Many California farm families have been living this life for generations — and they want to continue the legacy, growing crops, raising livestock and supporting the communities and people...

SALINAS VALLEY — A total of $981,000 was raised for 415 animals at this year’s Salinas Valley Fair junior livestock auction, which took place Saturday before a small crowd of buyers as well as an online component at the fairgrounds in King City. Still photos...

SOLEDAD — CRU Winery is building upon the success of its annual Chowder Cook-Off and expanding its hunt for the best chowder recipe nationwide. Now through July 14, U.S. residents can submit their recipe for a chance to win. The CRU Winery Chowder Cook-Off is a...

CENTRAL COAST — Ellie Dyt knows a lot more about the California dairy industry than most 17-year-old high schoolers. Dyt was raised on a dairy farm her whole life in the small town of Crows Landing, home to thousands of dairy cows, gaining first-hand experience...

SOLEDAD — Colby Pereira, chief operating officer of Braga Fresh in Soledad, has received the Grower-Shipper Foundation’s 2024 Agricultural Woman of the Year award. The award honors unique leadership qualities held by women working within the agricultural industry in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito...

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...