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Santa Clara County Agriculture, Food & Gardening Articles



San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
Santa Clara County Agritourism Threatened by Development

Santa Clara County officials remain out of compliance with state housing laws, which could put their agricultural tourism efforts in a race against developments proposing to pave over the Valley of Heart's Delight remaining farmland — with or without their …

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Widespread Cockfighting in CA Identified as Possible Source of Bird Flu Emergency

California may have more than a million fighting birds, according to the Center for a Humane Economy.

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
San Jose Demand for Senior Meals Underestimated Cost

San Jose temporarily limited meals for older adults at city community centers in early December amid a budget shortfall — a move that left recipients flustered.
The San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is responsible for administering …

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
Santa Clara County Wants Tourism to Save Iconic Farmlands

Fruit picking, wine tasting and weddings — Silicon Valley leaders want to preserve the romance of their farmlands through tourism as the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” gives way to strip malls and tech campuses.
The Santa Clara County Board of …

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
Silicon Valley Lawmaker Revives Food Benefits Program

Thousands of families will be able to shop for free fresh fruit and vegetables, after a Silicon Valley lawmaker obtained needed funding.
Assemblymember Alex Lee has secured $10 million to restart the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) …

Morgan Hill Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Housing Options Expand for Ag Sector

A new family farmworker residential development celebrated its grand opening in Morgan Hill on Nov. 20, adding 73 more homes to the city’s stock of affordable housing.

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
Where Silicon Valley Residents Can Get Free Thanksgiving Meals

Numerous organizations are making sure people looking for a hot meal this Thanksgiving don't go hungry.
CityTeam is preparing 50 turkeys, 300 pounds of mashed potatoes and 200 pounds of vegetables for Santa Clara County residents facing food insecurity, along …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Downtown Gilroy Celebrates Gourmet Alley

Downtown Gilroy’s new Gourmet Alley, designed to be a pedestrian friendly corridor, officially opened to the public on Nov. 8.

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
San Jose Farm Park Advocates Accuse City of Retaliation

Supporters of an East San Jose farm say they've been trying for years to get the city to invest more in the beloved community park. Instead, city parks officials responded by cutting off the relationship with the group.
The 40-year-old …

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From Local News Matters: Water War on the Delta

“This is a local story about a global issue, the future of water. In a three-part series of field reports and podcasts, Bay City News reporter Ruth Dusseault looks at the tunnel’s stakeholders, its engineering challenges, and explores the preindustrial …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Nursery Crops, Mushrooms Top Annual Santa Clara County Ag Report

Nursery crops retained their top spot in Santa Clara County in 2023, according to Santa Clara County’s latest Crop Report, with mushrooms clinging to the No. 2 spot despite a drop in crop value of almost 8% from 2022 due …

Morgan Hill Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Locally Grown at Silos in Downtown Morgan Hill

Morgan Hill has been evolving over the past decade, with new housing and a growing number of eateries bringing fresh energy to the town. While the surrounding areas still hold onto their agricultural roots, the town itself has embraced its …

Los Gatan logo LOCAL NEWS
State Senator Dave Cortese Urges More Protections for Farmworkers

Dave Cortese, who most recently stopped by Los Gatos Council during the farewell for former Town Manager Laurel Prevetti, today turned his attention to the plight of those who do the food-production heavy-lifting.

Morgan Hill Times logo LOCAL NEWS
New Law Allows More Farmworker Housing Development in Santa Clara County

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a new state law that could lead to more farmworker housing development in Santa Clara County.

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
San Martin Airport Day Is Oct. 26

The fourth annual San Martin Airport Day and Food Truck Fly-In is scheduled for 9am-3pm Oct. 26 at the San Martin Airport. The free event features aircraft demonstrations; food offerings from local food trucks; live music; aircraft on display; skydiving …

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Silicon Valley Food Stamps Levels Highest Since 2014

It's a tale of two worlds in Santa Clara County — one of affluence and one of survival, as thousands of residents struggle to put food on the table.
Participation in CalFresh is at its highest level in a decade. …

Morgan Hill Times logo LOCAL NEWS
PBS Series Spotlights Local Agriculture

A public radio station program focusing on agriculture in the United States, has turned its focus on two local enterprises in Morgan Hill.

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
San Jose Officials Want Rebate for Electric Leaf Blowers

Advocates and politicians have worked for years to ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in San Jose. A new incentive could be the answer.
Although the state has banned the purchase of new gas leaf blowers as of this …

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A Day at the Los Gatos Farmers’ Market

From colorful bouquets to ripe stone fruits to fresh-baked bread, the Los Gatos Farmers’ Market has been showcasing some stunningly delicious offerings this summer. This weekly gathering—which takes place each Sunday, from 9am-1pm—isn’t just a place to find quality produce. …

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
Silicon Valley Farmworkers, Veterans Receive Federal Help

Two projects in Santa Clara County are receiving federal funds to renovate housing for farmworkers and homeless veterans.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren helped secure $2.6 million for the county, with $1 million going toward repairs on blighted buildings that house homeless …

Featured

RCDs look after the land, whether it’s used for grazing, growing, or getting out into nature.
California Dirt
RCDs were created to avoid a repeat of the Dust Bowl. Now they work with landowners to preserve the air, water and natural habitats that sustain us all.
Dairy products are California’s top agricultural commodity, but the industry is often criticized for its impact on the environment.
Sustainable Sustenance
Greener ways to feed the world’s growing population
Fresh and dried fruit, wine, nuts and more can be found at Casa De Fruta, a venerable stop for drivers traversing Pacheco Pass.
Roadside Attractions
Apples and berries, steaks and dairy...and much more
They help feed the whole country, but life for California’s farm workers remains a struggle.
How California Feeds the Country
California, a state known for high-tech and show business glitz, is also America’s farming powerhouse.
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
From its earliest days as a state, California has been trying to turn marshes into productive land.
Since the Gold Rush era, land reclamation has cost California 90 percent of its wetlands.
How Land Reclamation Hurts California’s Environment
The hidden price tag of “reclaiming” swamps and marshes as usable land.
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
More than half of California farmland is under contracts that prevent its development.