Agriculture

On a 16-acre hilltop on Pacheco Pass Highway in southeast Gilroy, Recology turns thousands of tons of yard waste and food scraps from households throughout South Valley into nutrient-rich compost that farmers throughout the region use as a robust natural fertilizer.  The ultimate result is...

Hundreds of California native pigeons have died this winter due to a parasitic disease, announced state wildlife officials on Feb. 23.   California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials said they’ve noticed an increase of reported sick and dead band-tailed pigeons since early February, mostly around...

Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus are still active in a small area of unincorporated San Benito County, according to the county agricultural commissioner’s office.  Crews are scheduled to target the affected area with mosquito treatment on Oct. 18, with daytime temperatures expected to...

San Benito County Supervisors at a recent meeting approved a conditional use permit for the Betabel commercial project, after hearing two appeals against the proposal due to its likely impacts on the environment and tribal lands. The Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Nov. 8 to...

Winter’s gone and sunny spring days prompt us to step outside and work in our gardens. Don’t worry, expert advice is near. Seven private gardens will be open to the public from 10am-4pm May 11. The Garden Tour is an opportunity to explore the...

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...

Thousands of local residents and visitors enjoyed a sunny weekend in celebration of the 91st San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo.  The three-day rodeo took place at Bolado Park Event Center in Tres Pinos, and featured a full slate of popular local traditions,...

The Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased a nearly 2,500-acre portion of the Sargent Ranch in southern Santa Clara County, according to the organization’s president. The property is located near the site of a proposed sand and gravel mine. POST President Gordon Clark spoke with this...

San Benito County held a town hall meeting Sept. 5 on storm cleanup to inform local homeowners of a new executive order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that grants emergency permissions to accelerate debris removal related to the atmospheric river storms earlier this year. The...

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...