Focus on Agriculture

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...

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. Ellie Symes could easily pass for the...

SOLEDAD — Organic farming company Braga Fresh is co-hosting a free, day-long seminar for area growers at the company’s farm in Soledad on Thursday, Feb. 16. Co-hosted by Sustainable Conservation and the Monterey County Farm Bureau, the event will cover the practical knowledge of cover...

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...

SALINAS VALLEY — The 2023 Monterey County wine grape harvest has begun with Scheid Family Wines’ Isabelle’s Vineyard located in the Salinas Valley along River Road, west of Chualar, on the Monterey Wine Trail, announced Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association last week. Cool weather delayed the...

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...

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...

Nicolaus “Nicky” Hahn, founder of Hahn Family Wines and pioneer of California’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, died last Friday at his home in Zurich, Switzerland. He was 81 years old.

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...

GREENFIELD — South Monterey County’s first marijuana dispensary has opened for business in Greenfield, selling recreational cannabis products in the area. Higher Level, a locally owned cannabis retailer with operations in Seaside and Hollister, opened its third location in Greenfield earlier this month. A grand...