Monterey County Local News: Agriculture, Food & Gardening


All Local Agriculture, Food & Gardening News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: The 1965 law known as the Williamson Act has been responsible for keeping about half of California's farmland out of the hands of developers.
The Williamson Act: How the Law That Protects California’s Farmland Works

The Williamson Act, passed in 1965, now keeps more than 16 million acres of farmland out of the hands of developers. Here's how the law puts the brakes on the development of California agricultural properties.

Image caption: Since the Gold Rush era, land reclamation has cost California 90 percent of its wetlands.
How Land Reclamation Hurts California’s Environment

Since the Gold Rush era, land reclamation projects have helped to build California, but they are also damaging the state’s environment for people, plants and animals by eliminating essential wetlands.

Image caption: How California reclamation districts turned millions of acres of wetlands into fertile agricultural land, starting in the earliest days of the Gold Rush.
Reclamation Districts: Turning ‘Swamps’ Into Farmland

California has used reclamation districts to turn millions of acres of unusable swamps into fertile agricultural land, starting in the earliest days of the Gold Rush. Here’s how it happened.

Image caption: They help feed the whole country, but life for California’s farm workers remains a struggle.
How California Feeds the Country

California stands as America’s agricultural powerhouse, growing half of its fruits and vegetables. Here’s how California farming has shaped the state, from the early missions to today’s “factories in the field.”

Image caption: Dairy products are California’s top agricultural commodity, but the industry is often criticized for its impact on the environment.
Sustainable Sustenance

California is a leading producer of agricultural crops. So it’s not surprising to find cutting-edge ideas taking root here.

Image caption: RCDs look after the land, whether it’s used for grazing, growing, or getting out into nature.
California Dirt

What do resource conservation districts protect? Pretty much everything that’s worth saving.

California Local Pin Marker From Edible Monterey Bay...

05/07/2024
Long a fixture in Davenport, a second location of the Whale City Bakery Bar & Grill is set to open in Aptos at 7941 Soquel Drive.

KSQD logo From KSQD...

05/02/2024
Image for display with article titled Organic Rising: Central Coast Farmers Featured in New Film

Anthony Saua, director of Organic Rising, talks about the rise of organic agriculture and its importance to health, the environment and slowing global warming,

King City Rustler logo From King City Rustler...

05/02/2024
Image for display with article titled Farmworker Housing Study Oversight Committee Convenes to Review Progress

Despite significant progress since the release of a landmark 2018 farmworker housing study quantifying critically overcrowded housing conditions for agricultural workers in the region, thousands more homes are needed.

Monterey County Weekly logo From Monterey County Weekly...

05/01/2024
Image for display with article titled Salinas Begins Cracking Down on an Increased Presence of Unpermitted Street Food Vendors.

Over the past few months, Salinas residents have seen an increase in street vendors in high-traffic areas, including food trucks. This can make it easy to grab a bite to eat, but also comes with issues. Residents have been calling…

Monterey County Weekly logo From Monterey County Weekly...

05/01/2024
Image for display with article titled Costly Rent Is Forcing All-In Monterey County to Look for More Affordable Options.

For the past four years, All-In Monterey County has helped distribute food, clothing and more to thousands of residents every month.

Monterey County Weekly logo From Monterey County Weekly...

04/11/2024
Image for display with article titled County of Monterey Planning Commission Deadlocks on Pajaro Farmworker Housing Project.

A shorthanded County of Monterey Planning Commission was split on its decision over a proposed farmworker housing project in Pajaro on Wednesday, April 10.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

03/29/2024
Image for display with article titled California May Gut Two CalWORKS Programs Helping Thousands of Families

The state is considering zeroing out funds for CalWORKS family stabilization and job subsidy programs to help balance the budget.

King City Rustler logo From King City Rustler...

03/27/2024
Image for display with article titled King City Students, Volunteers Collaborate for Annual Workday

King City in Bloom (KCIB) and King City High School FFA joined forces March 20 for the second annual collaboration workday.

Monterey County Weekly logo From Monterey County Weekly...

03/26/2024
Image for display with article titled Pajaro Assistance Center Will Open on March 27.

The Pajaro Assistance Center to aid people who were affected by the winter storms in 2023 will open on Wednesday, March 27 at Pajaro Park.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo From Salinas Valley Tribune...

03/20/2024
Image for display with article titled Gonzales High FFA Contributes to Local Food Bank

77 members of the Gonzales High School FFA recently held a door-to-door food drive to collect food for the Food Bank for Monterey County’s Gonzales Program.

King City Rustler logo From King City Rustler...

03/18/2024
Image for display with article titled Community Food Pantry of King City Announces Spring Goodwill Collection Drive

Community Food Pantry of King City is again partnering with Goodwill Industries for another collection drive in April.

California Local Pin Marker From YubaNet...

03/07/2024
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources advisors has published a new website with information resources for small acreage landowners raising livestock.

California Local Pin Marker From Edible Monterey Bay...

02/20/2024
One of the biggest properties on Cannery Row has a new identity, after several years dark. Tipsy Putt soft opened in the former Cannery Row Brewing Company.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

02/14/2024
Commercial beekeeper Andrew Strehlow estimates he’s had 1,000 hives stolen over the years. The latest theft, of 96 hives from a Fresno County orchard, was his last straw.

California Local Pin Marker From Edible Monterey Bay...

02/13/2024
The new downtown Santa Cruz restaurant from Sugo partners Marco Paoletti and Andrea Loporcaro has opened in the space that used to be Café Mare.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo From Salinas Valley Tribune...

02/12/2024
Image for display with article titled CRU Winery Announces 95-point Score From Wine Enthusiast Magazine

CRU Winery received 95 points on its 2021 Sarmento Vineyard Clone 777 Pinot Noir—the highest score it has received from the publication, topping off an extensive list of 90-94 scores.

California Local Pin Marker From The Lutrinae...

02/12/2024
Environmental studies students have rolled out a campaign to gather support from faculty and students, and they believe they now have the research to support implementing a green roof on campus.

California Local Pin Marker From Edible Monterey Bay...

02/08/2024
There’s a new face and ethos driving the wine program at Mentone these days. Wine director Emma Bavera has been here only a few months, but she’s already bringing many welcome additions to the wine experience.
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