Agriculture

A workshop at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, organizing efforts from the California Nurses Association, and the expansion of Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

A draft version of a new farm bill would bring back a popular program that helps local fruit and vegetable growers, but overall, bigger farms would benefit most. And, California is partnering with the United Kingdom to develop clean energy projects.

Para muchos residentes, limitar el uso de fertilizante nitrogenado en los campos del Valle de Salinas es necesario. Para ellos, la regulación es la única manera de detener la contaminación del agua subterránea.

Las verduras que se cultivan en el Valle de Salinas necesitan grandes cantidades de fertilizante. Pero esa demanda, junto con el hecho de que la mayoría de estos cultivos agrícolas tienen raíces poco profundas, hace que el exceso de nitrógeno llegue fácilmente al agua subterránea.

La principal causa de esta contaminación son los fertilizantes agrícolas. Cuando se aplica más fertilizante del que las plantas pueden absorber, el exceso de nitrato se disuelve en el agua.

Santa Cruz County activists protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Minneapolis. And, a conference about ecological farming returns to Monterey County.

After a federal grant was cancelled last year, Cal State Monterey Bay agriculture researchers will appear before a judge this week to appeal that decision. Plus, Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa has died at 65. He represented rural northeastern California.

President Trump announced a $12 billion bailout for farmers in response to the effects of his tariffs, but it leaves out most small-scale fruit and vegetable producers. Plus, a new cohousing community is coming to Santa Cruz.

The Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s office publishes its fourth report analyzing the region's $11 billion agriculture industry. And, California farmworker families and environmental groups are calling for stronger protections against a cancer-causing pesticide used on berry, grape and nut crops.

The 11th annual International Spinach Conference makes its return to the United States on the Cal State Monterey Bay campus. And, Governor Gavin Newsom warns funding for food assistance programs could soon run out due to the federal government shutdown.