Santa Clara 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 CalMatters...

07/19/2024
A judge has halted a union effort at the Wonderful Company, throwing into question a new state law designed to make it easier for agricultural workers to organize.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

07/16/2024
A Kings County judge today issued a temporary restraining order against the state that pauses its unprecedented move to crack down on groundwater depletion in California’s agricultural heartland.

California Local Pin Marker From The Mercury News...

07/09/2024
The weekly Cupertino Farmers Market is seeking a new location after losing their lease at the De Anza College's parking lot.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

06/19/2024
Image for display with article titled Popular Cupertino Farmers Market Up for Grabs a Second Time

A popular farmers market in Cupertino is up for grabs in a battle over who can provide the West Valley city fresh tomatoes and strawberries — and it hasn’t been without growing pains.

Hilltromper Silicon Valley logo From Hilltromper Silicon Valley...

06/18/2024
Image for display with article titled Why You Should Rip Out Your Lawn and Plant Natives

The common American lawn has a problematic history, and creates a lot of problems for the environment.

California Local Pin Marker From The Mercury News...

06/05/2024
The $4.5 billion Sites Reservoir project is advancing after a judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by environmental groups.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

05/30/2024
Image for display with article titled Los Gatos Commits More Funds for Food, Rent Relief

Los Gatos seniors wait patiently to pick two food items, while eyeing tables piled with essentials such as meat and bread. Then it’s a free-for-all as roughly 70 participants load their arms and bags with groceries for the week.

Gilroy Dispatch logo From Gilroy Dispatch...

05/28/2024
Image for display with article titled Mushroom Fest Raises Funds for Scholarships, Nonprofits

The 40th Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival unfolded May 25 and 26 at the Downtown Amphitheater grounds and Depot Street.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

05/16/2024
The centerpiece of California’s water wars pits Gov. Newsom against local communities and environmentalists. A new report says the benefits of the tunnel exceed the cost since other water supplies would cost more.

Metro Silicon Valley logo From Metro Silicon Valley...

05/15/2024
Image for display with article titled Old-School Advocates Preserve California Cannabis History

The movement to legalize cannabis began in earnest in the ’60s and ’70s, and California was at the epicenter of it all the way up until the passage of Prop. 64, which legalized weed for adult use.

California Local Pin Marker From The Mercury News...

05/05/2024
It is being called the Cicada-pocalypse and the Cicada-geddon. Over the next few weeks, hundreds of billions, maybe even trillions of cicadas — grasshopper-like insects — will emerge from underground burrows all across the Midwest and the South where they have been living for as long as the past 17 years.

Gilroy Dispatch logo From Gilroy Dispatch...

04/23/2024
Image for display with article titled Gilroy Facility Presents Sustainable Distribution Model on Earth Day

To celebrate Earth Day, Performance Food Group on April 22 held an open house event in Gilroy to show how they have created a sustainable distribution model at the company’s local facility.

Morgan Hill Times logo From Morgan Hill Times...

04/23/2024
Image for display with article titled MHUSD Recognized With Eat Real Certification

Morgan Hill Unified School District announced earlier this month that it has achieved Eat Real certification at the green tier.

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.

California Local Pin Marker From The Mercury News...

03/24/2024
As school meal programs expand, school kitchens are experiencing struggles hiring and retaining food workers.

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 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 The Mercury News...

02/12/2024
The Bay Area is home to a rich tapestry of food-based enterprises owned by Black chefs and entrepreneurs. Here’s a list by geographic area of many in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

02/07/2024
State lawmakers grill Cal/OSHA officials, with allegations that employers get tipped off to inspections. The chairperson of the Assembly Labor Committee is seeking an audit.
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