Agriculture

TriCal, Inc. and the developer of the Strada Verde Innovation Park have reached a “comprehensive safety agreement” that aims to alleviate concerns about the proximity of more commercial activity near a chemical storage facility off Highway 25. The agreement comes as a group of local...

Josh Jensen—famed founder of Hollister’s Calera Wine, visionary leader in the American wine community and an iconic pioneer of luxury California Pinot Noir—died peacefully at his San Francisco home June 11. He was 78 years old.  In the world of fine wine, and to generations...

Local officials and consultants are getting ready to begin an environmental study of the Strada Verde Innovation Park, a 2,767-acre mixed-use commercial and technological project proposed in northwest San Benito County. The upcoming effort to complete an Environmental Impact Report will take several months, and...

Arguing that county officials and an out-of-town developer have ignored the voice of the voters over the last two years, a group of local residents has been circulating a petition to place a measure on the Nov. 8 ballot that would limit or prohibit...

Getting to the Sweepstakes round at the largest wine competition in North America takes a wine that outshines and outlasts 5,700 entries from more than 1,000 wineries in North America, Mexico and Canada.  The San Francisco Chronicle is not only the first official wine competition...

New plans submitted to San Benito County show more details for the commercial development proposed near Highway 101 and Betabel Road—including an expanded variety of uses for the farm stand building that is currently under construction. The McDowell Charity Trust—the owner and developer of the...

Winged visitors alien to the area have been casting their large shadows over Contra Costa and Stanislaus counties recently.  Preservation group Save Mount Diablo said in a statement Sept. 25 they’ve tracked the paths of six California condors soaring through the skies above Round Valley...

A convoy of 55 cars and trucks, known as the Farmworkers Caravan, departed from San Jose the morning of Oct. 2, and arrived at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hollister. Their purpose? To deliver thousands of donated food items, emergency supplies and household items...

San Benito Agricultural Land Trust (SBALT) is applying for national accreditation, and is asking the public to submit comments in support of the prestige-enhancing designation. SBALT has operated as a local nonprofit since 1993, and since then has worked with landowners and other agencies to...

The 2022 San Benito County Rodeo took place June 24-26 at Bolado Park Event Center in Tres Pinos. Festivities included bull riding, calf roping and equestrian competitions, along with art and tack vendors, wine and beer tasting, barbecue, live music and more. Free Lance photographer...