Yolo County Agriculture, Food & Gardening Digest

HERBL, one of California’s biggest cannabis companies, collapsed earlier this year. The company, which sold $700 million of cannabis last year, reportedly shorted the state $17 million in taxes.

A newly updated “plant hardiness zone map” from the Department of Agriculture has many of the nation’s gardeners rushing online, Googling what new plants they can grow in their mostly warming regions.

Woodland’s first Sprouts Farmers Market will hold a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 17 welcoming guests to enjoy games, samples, prizes, gifts and more.

Center for Food Safety has filed arguments seeking to revoke the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ approval of nationwide permit 56, which authorizes industrial finfish aquaculture structures in ocean waters around the country. CFS represents a coalition of conservation, tribal, and fishing organizations.

The Elmore Desert Ranch gets 22.5 billion gallons of water from the Colorado River, almost as much as is cleared for Scottsdale, Ariz. And that’s just a fraction of the 386.5 billion gallons from the river going to 19 other families in Imperial Valley.

In a study published in Nature Sustainability, scientists assessed the potential for wide-scale synthetic production of dietary fats. The raw materials are the same as those used by plants: hydrogen in water and carbon dioxide in the air.

New tiki bar Shipwrecked has made quite the splash in Davis, bringing a new vibe to the downtown bar scene.

The acquisition includes the Daou brand, Daou Mountain Estate, four luxury wineries, and around 400 acres of vineyards in Adelaida District of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County.

The 40th District Agricultural Association has announced the appointment of Sarah Pelle as the new CEO of the Yolo County Fairgrounds.

Since 1993, Impossible Acres has served as a representation of Yolo County’s agricultural roots. This quaint family farm just west of Davis provides an opportunity to interact with farm animals and pick seasonal produce.

It’s that time of year again. Halloween is quickly approaching, which means now is the time to support local pumpkin patches in the Davis area.

After idling half the state’s normal rice acreage last year due to water shortages, farmers of the grain are back in full force in the Sacramento Valley.

Hundreds of wells in Tulare Lake aquifer are at risk of going dry. Today's recommendation is the first time that state officials have moved to crack down on local plans that fail to stop excessive groundwater pumping.

The California Food Safety Act prohibits the manufacturing, distribution and sale of food and beverages that contain brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye 3.

In an attempt to show its appreciation to the county’s farmworkers—migrant or not—the city of Woodland partnered with Brown Issues to hold the 2nd Annual Yolo Growers and Farmworkers Festival.

In collaboration with Costa Rica coffee growers, ECOM has taken bold steps toward implementing responsible farming practices.

Water providers say rebates for residential areas are costly and residents may refuse to remove their lawns. The rules aim to save enough water for more than a million households a year.

The European Union has banned certain additives that are used in American candies and baked goods. California is on the cusp of prohibiting their sale by 2027.

Although Sacramento is considered the Farm-to-Fork Capital, its designation is largely due to its proximity to agricultural hubs such as Yolo County.

Since 2018, Nelson Hawkins has farmed a small plot in West Sacramento. Now, the land that he tills, plows and harvests is set to be razed for a new housing development. Hawkins, who is Black, knows his dilemma is part of a bigger problem.

Surrounded by a field of wildflowers and crops, roughly 50 people stretched their way through Three Sisters Gardens’ first “Yoga on the Farm” event to celebrate the arrival of fall.

Ranked the number two market in the country for life sciences growth this year, Sacramento is home to a burgeoning science-driven innovation cluster anchored by UC Davis.

Using intricate infrared images captured by airplane over California's Central Valley, researchers were able to distinguish Cabernet Sauvignon grape vines that were infected but not showing symptoms.

The Department of Agriculture received multiple complaints from residents about loud booming noises late into the night and during the early morning hours. The noise was found to be from an automated “bird cannon,” used to frighten wildlife away from crops.

Many farmworkers in Coachella Valley lack legal status as citizens and don't qualify for most federal and state disaster aid. Even a new $95 million storm assistance program for immigrants that Governor Gavin Newsom recently touted is out of reach because it pertains to the winter and spring storms and floods.

The Village Feast celebrates the Sacramento region’s Farm-to-Fork season, where the community gathers to enjoy and honor the bounty of local farmers.

The top fruit on the list include tomatoes, lemons, strawberries, oranges and blackberries.

AgWest Farm Credit has awarded a $4,000 grant to MOSAIC Children’s Museum to assist in the build-out of an agriculturally themed interactive exhibit highlighting the heritage of agriculture in Yolo County.

Forty-three historic California and Mexican palms were transplanted earlier this summer during the demolition of the Capitol Annex. The move is dangerous for such large plants, according to tree experts.

Rachael Long worked with UCCE in Sonoma and San Joaquin counties as well as at UC Berkeley, before settling in Yolo County as a farm advisor in 1992. She has focused on field crops including alfalfa hay and other forages, dry beans, and hybrid seed crops such as sunflowers, melons and onions.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture released a report on belowground biodiversity that provides targeted recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance soil health and conserve biodiversity.

Yolo County will be holding its first annual Farmworker Day Resource Fair on Aug. 25.