Agriculture

Cherry growers from Coyote Valley to Hollister are reporting one of the worst crops in recent memory after an unusually warm winter left trees without enough cold to fruit properly, followed by a heat wave during the critical bloom period that disrupted germination. “We have...

The 9,400-acre Silacci Ranch—a sprawling landscape that stretches from the Salinas Valley floor to the peaks of the Gabilan Range—will be protected forever from suburban sprawl following a recent agreement between the property owner and a California land trust.  The Silacci Ranch is located in...

After a slow start to conserving water in our community, residents started stepping up their efforts in late August. We need more of this effort, but it’s very encouraging news to see our community respond. The following data, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, was...

California’s water storage and delivery systems are in good shape heading into the rainy season, having benefited from last year’s near-historic rain and snowfall totals, according to the state’s top water managers.  Coming off three years of punishing drought conditions, last year was the sixth...

California lawmakers announced Aug. 1 the introduction of a bill that would create a permanent structure to provide relief for farmers impacted by natural disasters.  The Agricultural Emergency Relief Act aims to streamline the process for seeking and receiving relief.   While Congress has previously provided aid...

A highlight of this year’s San Benito County Fair in Tres Pinos was the Oct. 5 junior livestock auction, in which students raised more than $1.1 million. Local 4-H and FFA students auctioned off more than 300 animals on auction day, according to fair organizers....

The Amah Mutsun Land Trust board of directors appointed Noelle Chambers as its new executive director.  Chambers is the former Vice President of Conservation at Peninsula Open Space Trust, where she worked for 20 years and helped execute the successful protection and transfer of 30,000...

President Donald Trump lost no time Jan. 20 in advancing his agenda for California’s water supply with a “presidential action” intended to send more Delta water south to millions of Southern Californians and San Joaquin Valley farms. The memo calls on the Secretary of Commerce...

San Benito Integrated Waste Management (SBCIWM) will host two upcoming free composting workshops where attendees can learn how to turn food scraps and yard waste into nutrient rich soil. The Composting 101 Workshop is scheduled for 9:30am July 29; and a Sheet Mulching Technique and...

Brittany Moore, of San Juan Bautista, took home the title of Miss San Benito Rodeo 2022 last weekend at Bolado Park.  Moore, 20, is the daughter of Andy Moore and Cheryl Yetter. She is currently attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, majoring in Animal Science...