Agriculture

The 2024 Gilroy Rodeo broke records for highest attendance and the most contestants participating in the event’s seven-year history on Aug. 9-11.  More than 1,000 contestants competed and performed in the local rodeo, which is run entirely by volunteers and returns all of its annual...

Local residents and visitors of all ages enjoyed a light breeze and mild temperatures as they celebrated San Benito County’s 150th anniversary on July 27. The celebration took place at the San Benito Historical Park in Tres Pinos, and featured live entertainment, roving artists (including...

Fans of fresh, ripe and local fruit will want to venture to Andy’s Orchard in east Morgan Hill before the short stone fruit harvest is complete in a few weeks.  Owned and operated by renowned grower Andy Mariani, the orchard off Half Road features many...

The San Benito County Supervisors on June 18 unanimously approved a low impact camping ordinance—a move that proponents say will allow rural landowners the chance to host small-scale camping on their properties.  The ordinance, which will go into effect later this month, will expand access...

A federal committee last week approved a program that includes about $63 million in funding for the improvement and expansion of water infrastructure. If approved by Congress, more than $15 million in upgrades could be dedicated to San Juan Bautista and Hollister, according to...

The 90th San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo treated crowds to traditional competition events, performances, exhibitions, demonstrations and vendors at the fairgrounds in Tres Pinos June 28-30.  Participants from youth to seniors competed in barrel racing, bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, mutton...

The San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo kicked off rodeo week on June 22 with the annual rodeo parade in downtown Hollister.  The procession began with a traditional cattle drive down the middle of San Benito Street, featuring dozens of steers, longhorn cattle...

Learn how to turn your spoiled food, scraps and yard waste into rich, organic compost for your garden at a summer composting workshop on June 3. The workshop will be hosted by San Benito County, and will feature the expertise of area Master Composters,...

I love our local wineries but have to admit I haven’t been to them all. In an attempt to spice things up and seek something new, I wanted to take a trip to Leal Vineyards near Hollister.  I decided I wanted to slow it down,...

San Benito County is inviting residents to participate in an update process for local Ordinance Title 13, which focuses on animals within the community. The update effort seeks to ensure that the county’s regulations “accurately reflect the needs and concerns of our diverse population,”...