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Salinas
February 21, 2026

Monterey County crops decline in value after pandemic and fires

MONTEREY COUNTY — Crop values fell in 2020 by a total of $499 million from 2019, with 2020’s total at $3.9 billion, according to the Monterey County Crop Report issued by Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales on July 20. The 11.3% decrease in production...

Gonzales creates first special financing district for industrial development in Monterey County

GONZALES — City of Gonzales has become the first city in Monterey County — and one of the first in the state of California — to create an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) to help fund economic development projects.Ā  In collaboration with the county, Gonzales...

2016 crop statistics released for SLO County

The San Luis Obispo County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures has announced the release of the 2016 production statistics for the local agricultural industry. The total gross crop value for 2016 was $914,724,000.

Guest Column | As Supplies Thin, Price of Recycled Water Could Go UpĀ 

Norm Groot
As we all manage the implementation of our groundwater management sustainability plans in the next 15 years, there will be some hard choices that communities will need to make. Most of these will include financing various water supply solutions, such as resource projects, land...

Salinas schools to close as Taylor Farms fire, evacuation order continues

SALINAS — A fire in a Salinas food processing plant that has prompted authorities to evacuate surrounding neighborhoods has now closed four nearby elementary schools as sunrise approaches Thursday. City officials announced the closure shortly after 5:30 a.m. Thursday forĀ Lincoln Elementary, Monterey Park Elementary, Sherwood...

Monterey County crop values increase again in 2017

Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales has announced that the economic value of Monterey County agriculture increased by 4 percent in 2017, as compared with 2016, with crop production values of $4.4 billion.

Scheid Family Wines VP winemaker retires

Scheid Family Wines
GREENFIELD — Scheid Family Wines Vice President of Winemaking Dave Nagengast has announced his retirement after 20 years with the Monterey County-based wine company. Nagengast was the creative and organizational mastermind behind the company’s portfolio of wines, an early adopter of sustainable farming and winemaking...

California State Fair announces Agriculturalist of the Year

The California State Fair has announced the recipients of the prestigious 2017 agriculture awards, which will be presented at the annual Friends of the California State Fair Gala.

Lettuce virus showing signs of return in Salinas Valley

Salinas Valley lettuce field
SALINAS VALLEY — After two years of lower levels of impatiens necrotic spot virus in the Salinas Valley, researchers have recorded a higher number of cases during the 2025 season, though they say INSV did not reach the widespread levels seen in 2022, when...

Enrichment program teaches hundreds of South Monterey County youth about farming

SALINAS VALLEY — Hundreds of third-graders recently roamed the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City to learn about agriculture during the annual South County Farm Day. Students from Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City schools attended the free educational enrichment program on Jan. 26,...

Local News

Miss Salinas Valley Fair

Miss Salinas Valley Fair competition opens for 2026 applicants

SALINAS VALLEY — Salinas Valley Fair is now accepting applications for the 2026 Miss Salinas Valley Fair Competition, offering young women the chance to...