Yolo 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.

West Sacramento News Ledger logo From West Sacramento News Ledger...

02/12/2025
Image for display with article titled Modernizing the Port of West Sacramento

Throughout its history, the Port of West Sacramento has served the agricultural, natural resources and construction sectors in Northern California.

West Sacramento News Ledger logo From West Sacramento News Ledger...

02/12/2025
Image for display with article titled Benefit Fruit Tree Sale March 1

There’s nothing like picking and eating fresh, tree-ripened fruit. You can beautify your yard and reduce your grocery bills at the Winters Friends of the Library annual Fruit Tree Sale.

California Local Pin Marker From Daily Democrat...

02/01/2025
After seven years of effort, two business partners celebrated the opening of their Woodland Cannabis Dispensary on January 31. Read on to learn more.

West Sacramento Sun logo From West Sacramento Sun...

01/23/2025
Image for display with article titled Yolo Land Trust to Co-Host Workshop on Farm and Ranch Succession Planning

As the average age of farmers, ranchers and agricultural landowners continues to rise, the working land they steward is at a moment of seismic transition.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

01/21/2025
Trump apparently wants to override new Biden-Newsom rules that have widespread support among Southern California cities and some Central Valley farmers.

California Local Pin Marker From Daily Democrat...

01/10/2025
Read on to learn details about a free class by UC Master Gardener Bonnie Berman on January 25 about how to care for your fruit trees.

California Local Pin Marker From Local News Matters...

01/03/2025
Those in California who’d like a latte with a side of weed have gotten their wish now that a new law goes into effect that permits licensed cannabis dispensaries to add sit-in cafes to their sites.  

West Sacramento News Ledger logo From West Sacramento News Ledger...

12/31/2024
Image for display with article titled City Council Breaks Bread With Seniors

Members of the City Council “broke bread” with West Sacramento seniors on Dec. 11 at Café Yolo inside the Community Center at 1075 West Capitol Ave.

California Local Pin Marker From Davis Enterprise...

12/27/2024
Read on to learn how you can volunteer at the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden.

The Dirt logo From The Dirt...

12/22/2024
Image for display with article titled Community Christmas Eve Meal With the Davis Food C-Op

The Davis Food Co-op’s annual Holiday Meal event started in 1985 by a LGBTQ+ couple, both employees of the Co-op, whose families wouldn’t take them in. Seeing that others in the community also had nowhere to go for the holidays, they organized a meal on Christmas Eve for all to attend. This year will be our 39th year continuing this wonderful tradition. The goal continues to be providing a place to come together for a feast and laughs, especially for those who would otherwise be alone. Everyone is welcome.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

12/20/2024
New operating rules for massive Delta systems will increase water deliveries to Southern California cities and some growers. Salmon numbers could drop, especially in dry years.

California Local Pin Marker From Winters Express...

12/19/2024
An introduction to the Short Term Emergency Aid Committee (STEAC) and their work assembling and distributing food packs to Winters Joint Unified School District after-school program students. Read on to learn more about STEAC and how you can volunteer.

California Local Pin Marker From California Healthline...

12/19/2024
Keith Poulsen's jaw dropped when farmers showed him images on their cellphones at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin in October. A livestock veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin, Poulsen had seen sick cows before, with their noses dripping and udders slack.

California Local Pin Marker From Daily Democrat...

12/18/2024
The 39th annual Holiday Meal sponsored by the Davis Food Co-op will be held on December 24 at the Davis Veterans Memorial Center. Read on to learn more and how you can volunteer.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

12/11/2024
Gov. Newsom launched an ambitious program that uses Medi-Cal to help Californians access housing, healthy food and more. Now, its fate is in the hands of President-Elect Trump.

California Local Pin Marker From CapPublicRadio...

12/04/2024
Learn more about the expanding recall of raw milk products following detection of bird flu in tested samples.

The Dirt logo From The Dirt...

11/19/2024
Image for display with article titled Davis Farmers Market Extends Pre-Thanksgiving Market

The day before Thanksgiving, the Davis Farmers Market extends its hours. This year’s annual Pre-Thanksgiving Market will be from noon to 5 p.m. in Central Park, 301 C St., Davis.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

11/18/2024
Voters in California’s farm belt, stretching more than 400 miles from Kern County on the south to Tehama County on the north, delivered solid majorities for Donald Trump in this month’s presidential election.