Los Gatos Farms, a family-owned farm off of Highway 17, is hosting its last lavender bundling session this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can expect to help tie lavender stalks into 2-inch bundles to be dried in the farm’s barn, and to be sent home with a few bundles of their own.
Agriculture
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Driscoll’s faces growing legal storm over pesticide safety, ‘forever chemicals’ and social media claims
Berry giant Driscoll’s is facing multiple legal challenges, including consumer lawsuits alleging “forever chemicals” and pesticide cover-ups, while simultaneously suing a mobile app startup for spreading false claims. The Watsonville-based company denies the allegations of misconduct, affirming its commitment to food safety and regulatory standards.
Posted inFood & Drink
The root of the crisis: Martinelli’s contract cuts are just the latest blow to California apple farmers
Long before Martinelli’s canceled contracts with some local growers this year, the Pajaro Valley’s apple industry had been in steady decline, squeezed by competition from Washington state, shifting consumer preferences and the lure of more profitable crops. Now, as orchards are ripped out across the region, farmers and industry leaders are searching for new ways to preserve one of Santa Cruz County’s oldest agricultural traditions.
Posted inFood & Drink
From opera to orchards: Inside the immigrant stories and resilience fueling 50 years of the Aptos farmers market
Celebrating 50 years, the Aptos farmers market – held Saturdays at Cabrillo College – captures not just the bounty and hard work of dozens of vendors but also comes with a wealth of stories from those manning the stands and working behind the scenes.
Posted inFood & Drink
As Martinelli’s pulls back, local schools and nonprofits rally to support Pajaro Valley apple growers
After Martinelli’s announced it would not renew contracts with local apple growers, one Pajaro Valley farmer has been flooded with calls, ideas and offers from community members eager to help replace the major buyer. While potential partnerships with school districts, nonprofits and other local organizations show promise, growers say finding markets large enough to absorb the thousands of tons of apples once sold to Martinelli’s remains a significant challenge.
Posted inLatest News
California pesticide regulators say new rules protect communities as applications of a dangerous fumigant rise
Regulators insist they’re committed to protecting health and the environment, yet continue to allow growers to use a deadly chemical banned in 40 countries.
Posted inLatest News
County agricultural officials urge residents to report possible invasive insect on grape plants
Santa Cruz County agricultural officials are urging residents to check recently purchased grape plants after the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter insect was discovered on grapevines sold at Costco stores across the San Francisco Bay Area.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County farmers raise prices due to soaring diesel, fertilizer costs
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for shipping energy in the Persian Gulf, has sent the prices of diesel and petroleum-based fertilizer – key farming resources – soaring globally. Now, the supply crunch is coming home to roost in agrarian communities like Santa Cruz County.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
UCSC researcher aims to fill gaps in Pajaro Valley air monitoring data, help farmworkers deal with pollution health impacts
Javier González-Rocha, an assistant professor of mathematics at UC Santa Cruz, has been working to identify air monitoring data gaps in the Pajaro Valley to better inform farmworkers and the local community.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Profesor de UCSC busca llenar vacíos en los datos de monitoreo del aire en el Valle de Pájaro para ayudar a trabajadores agrícolas a enfrentar posibles impactos de salud por la contaminación
Javier González-Rocha, profesor asistente de matemáticas en UC Santa Cruz, ha estado trabajando para identificar vacíos en los datos de monitoreo del aire en el Valle de Pájaro con el fin de informar mejor a los trabajadores agrícolas.
