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King City
April 9, 2026

ā€˜Berry’ Bliss: Thousands flock to 2025 Salinas Valley Fair for food, fun, music and tradition

Salinas Valley Fair
KING CITY — The 81st annual Salinas Valley Fair brought thousands of fairgoers to King City’s Salinas Valley Fairgrounds from May 15 to 18, delivering on its promise of ā€œThe Berry Best Fair.ā€ With a theme honoring the region’s rich agricultural heritage, this year’s...

Monterey County farmers estimate $336M in losses from recent storms

SALINAS VALLEY — A flood damage survey on Monterey County agriculture shows $336 million in estimated losses from January’s storms, with the costliest impacts in South Monterey County. Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office has released the initial results of the online survey, which launched Jan....

Newsom signs bill to protect farmworkers from wildfire smoke

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 73, Assemblymember Robert Rivas’ Farmworker Wildfire Smoke Protections Act, into law on Sept. 27. California’s wildfire season, combined with heat waves and the Covid-19 pandemic, has helped shine a light on the necessary safety protocols agricultural...

Salinas Valley Fair once again brings thrills to King City

KING CITY — The 78th annual Salinas Valley Fair returned after two years of Covid-19 pandemic closures with crowds packing the fairgrounds in King City, living up to the theme of ā€œBack in the Saddle.ā€  While total attendance numbers weren’t available yet, the four days...

Retiree reflects on half-century of agricultural work in Salinas Valley

SALINAS VALLEY — Jesse Holguin retired from Gonzales Irrigation Systems on Dec. 31, wrapping up a career of 40 years with the company and more than 50 years in total with agricultural work. Holguin began working for Mel Fowler of King City 51 years ago,...

Calls grow to restrict harmful pesticide exposure in Monterey County

Omar Dieguez
SALINAS VALLEY — Several dozen community members gathered for a news conference at the County Government Center in Salinas last Tuesday to release a new study that found that pregnant women in Monterey County are more likely to be exposed to far higher levels...

Monterey County launches cannabis equity survey

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Cannabis Program is in the process of assessing how communities have been impacted by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs and exploring how to more equitably develop this new industry.  Tier 1 funding from the California Office of Business...

Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit returns March 18-19 with virtual format

SALINAS VALLEY — Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit returns March 18-19 for its eighth annual event, recognizing the increasingly international scope of the produce industry, with a number of presenters from Latin America and a diversity of experience and expertise from California. There is...

From horses to Merrill’s Thundering Herd: Rose Escobar shares love of rodeo and serving others

SALINAS VALLEY — Ever since a young child, Rose Escobar dreamed of becoming a Rodeo Queen — a best-in-class combination of horsemanship and athletic abilities paired with personal skills of public speaking and knowledge of the heritage of agriculture. That dream came true this year...

Taylor Farms takes 16.3% stake in Pacific Valley Bank

Pacific Valley Bank
SALINAS VALLEY — Pacific Valley Bank has announced that Taylor Fresh Foods, parent company of the Taylor Farms operating companies, has acquired a 16.3% ownership stake in the bank. The investment represents a significant minority position by a locally based, family-owned company with long-standing operations...