Farmworker Housing Study Oversight Committee convenes to review progress
CENTRAL COAST — Despite significant progress since the release of a landmark 2018 farmworker housing study quantifying critically overcrowded housing conditions for agricultural workers in the region, thousands more homes are needed to relieve severe overcrowding, unaffordable rents and ensure the stability of the...
Salinas Valley farmers seek rebound after floods, virus hit lettuce crops
SALINAS VALLEY — Things were challenging enough for lettuce growers in Monterey County’s Salinas Valley before Mother Nature dealt a one-two punch in this year’s storms.
Farmers in 2022 had suffered an estimated $150 million in crop losses as impatiens necrotic spot virus — a...
Valley awards honor King City High School Agriculture Department and FFA
KING CITY — King City High School Agriculture Department and FFA were recognized with the 2022 Education Award last Saturday at the 16th Annual Valley of the World Awards, presented by the National Steinbeck Center.
The school is home to a state-ranking ag program,...
Guest Column | A Fuller Picture of Farm Labor: Employer-Led Stability, Affordability and the Importance of Partnership
The harvest is quickly moving toward peak season, with fields of vegetables, leafy greens and strawberries becoming a hub of activity. Those who nurture, irrigate and harvest these crops are essential to the industry’s success, and it is the responsibility of every farmer and...
Taylor Farms to reopen facility after 2022 fire
SALINAS VALLEY — One year after a devastating fire destroyed Taylor Farms’ food processing plant in Salinas, the agriculture company will reopen the facility later this month in time for the start of the Salinas Valley planting season.
Following months of construction, the foodservice location...
Monterey County supervisors spare sputtering cannabis equity grant program
MONTEREY COUNTY — A Monterey County program to ensure equity in the local commercial cannabis market is sputtering but will continue on a smaller scale.
The county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously March 19 to continue the Growing Equity Together program, known as GET, despite...
Taylor Farms donates more than 1,100 backpacks to students in King City, Salinas
KING CITY — More than 1,100 backpacks filled with school supplies were delivered to students in King City and Salinas this year as part of Taylor Farms’ 13th annual Backpack Giving Program.
After starting the program in Monterey County in 2010, Taylor Farms has since...
Monterey County honors last surviving Bracero of 1963 Chualar tragedy
CHUALAR — Monterey County has honored the last surviving Bracero of the 1963 Chualar train tragedy, recognizing his life story and the enduring legacy of Bracero workers during Bracero Worker History Recognition Week.
During a special ceremony Sept. 16 at the Monterey County Board of...
Clash between union campaigns and private property at Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — Before dawn on an October morning in 2015, representatives of the United Farm Workers turned up at a strawberry plant nursery in Northern California to meet with workers and urge them to consider unionizing.
They were able to enter the nursery’s property thanks...
King City FFA students partake in 5K Fun Run
KING CITY — To celebrate National Ag Day, the King City High School FFA chapter participated in the 2021 5K for FFA Virtual Fun Run last month, hosted by the National FFA Organization.
About 45 club members, faculty and extended family participated and came together...
