Focus on Agriculture

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County agriculture pumped more than $11 billion into the local economy in 2023 and supported 81,315 jobs, according to a new economic report. Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Rich Ordonez released the latest comprehensive analysis of the county’s largest industry on Nov. 18,...

KING CITY — Monterey County Cattlemen’s Association (MCCA) is bringing back its annual Team Roping and Ranch Rodeo for a full weekend of western tradition at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City. The event kicks off Friday, Aug. 22, with team roping, followed by a dinner and calcutta...

CALIFORNIA — A nationwide onion recall was expanded by the Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 10 to include red, yellow, white and sweet yellow onions linked to California suppliers after more than 600 people in 43 states have been sickened with salmonella. The original...

KING CITY — This year’s South County Farm Day brought about 650 third- and fourth-graders to the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City on Jan. 27. The South Monterey County students, stemming from Gonzales to King City schools, attended the free educational enrichment program taught...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County’s agriculture industry saw a major rebound in 2024, with overall crop and livestock production reaching nearly $5 billion in gross value — a 14.7% increase from the previous year. And, for the first time in county history, a single crop...

SALINAS VALLEY — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. In support of this yearly event, the Breast Cancer Assistance Group of Monterey County (BCAG) will be the recipient of funds raised through...

KING CITY — Salinas Valley Fair has announced that this year’s Fair theme is “Barnyard May-Ham,” suggested by James Hinkle of King City. Hinkle is a sophomore at Palma High School and president of King City Rural 4-H Club. The 16-year-old said he submitted the idea...

UPDATE — Nov. 7, 2025: Full November SNAP/CalFresh benefits have begun posting to the EBT cards of Monterey County residents, according to the County of Monterey Department of Social Services on Friday. “The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is telling us that California has initiated...

Editor’s Note: The following profile is an excerpt from Amy Wu’s book, “From Farms to Incubators: Women Innovators Revolutionizing How Our Food is Grown,” which tells the stories of women entrepreneurs who are transforming agriculture through high technology. Fatma Kaplan’s advice to her younger self...

SALINAS VALLEY — In honor of both National Diabetes Month and Diabetes Education Week, Taylor Farms donated 500 bags of salad and packages of assorted vegetables to the families visiting Mee Memorial Healthcare System clinics in King City and Greenfield on Nov. 15. There were...