Agriculture

The proponents of a local initiative that would require voter approval before rural and agricultural property owners in San Benito County can rezone their land have gained enough signatures to place the measure on the November ballot, according to sources. The results are not official,...

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...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week announced the availability of $72.9 million through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to fund “innovative projects designed to support the expanding specialty crop sector and explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products,” according...

A collaboration of area land trusts recently secured permanent conservation rights for the historic 540-acre Nyland property in San Benito County.  The Trust for Public Land, the San Benito Agricultural Land Trust, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County and the Amah Mutsun Land Trust...

California’s severe drought continues, and mandatory water conservation measures are in place. These climate conditions, along with our limited long-term water supplies, mean it is in our best interest to use water as efficiently as possible. Not just when we’re in drought, but ALWAYS! On...

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...

One of the San Benito County Fair's highlights was the Junior Livestock Auction, which was hailed by fair organizers as a “huge success” as local 4H and FFA students collectively raised $1.2 million auctioning off the animals they raised.  The students auctioned off 290 animals...

For the first time in its 89-year history, the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo hosted a sellout crowd in the 3,000-plus seat Bolado Park arena, according to organizers.  The show and rodeo took place this past weekend, June 23-25, in Tres Pinos....

Three California assembly members on Tuesday introduced a newly minted bill which, if it becomes law, would bring financial assistance to storm and flood victims who are ineligible for state and federal assistance. Assembly Bill 513, also known as the California Individual Assistance Act, was...

The weather forecast is finally calling for a noteworthy dry spell in Hollister, but dozens of local people and businesses are still recovering from flood damage and other property losses resulting from the last several weeks of drenching storms in South Valley.  In recent days,...