Ag

Sean Fitzharris and BenitoLink reporter Robert Eliason. Photo courtesy of Fran Fitzharris.

Food / Dining

Eat, Drink, Savor: From homebrewing to full brewery

The Fitzharrises create Brewery Twenty Five beers for San Benito County

The Schmidt family: Joe Spencer, Tina Jolly Schmidt, Brian Schmidt, Walt Henzi, Crystal Henzi, Kathy Spencer, Rick Schmidt, Stacey Swenson, Janis Schmidt, and Greg Schmidt. Photo courtesy of Karminder Brown.

Agriculture

San Benito family receives Excellence in Range Management Award

The award recognized the Schmidt family for maintaining outstanding ranch management and land stewardship practices across distances and generations.

Bonnie Swank in her barn with the corn maze, pumpkins, and sunflowers in the background. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Agriculture

Bonnie Swank: In memoriam

Family and friends share how her vision of Swank Farms took shape.

Pasture-raised turkeys from Paicines Ranch. Photo courtesy of Paicines Ranch.

Agriculture

Turkey Time: Custom-raised for this unique holiday season

Local ranch offers pasture-raised birds for holiday meals.

Alexa Gomez with a large sunflower at Swank Farms. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Agriculture

Swank Farms opens for fall fun

A local tradition refreshes their approach in light of COVID-19.

San Benito County Fair. File photo.

San Benito Lifestyle

Modified San Benito County Fair set for October

This year’s festivities will take place online and in person.

Horses at Dreamweaver Ranch. Photo courtesy of Shelby Martin.

Ag

Local horse ranch opens its doors to evacuated animals

An ewe gives birth to three lambs during its stay.

Families in line at the June 13 relief drive in San Juan Bautista. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Health

Feeding the Frontline drive-thru events planned for August

San Benito Health Foundation and other organizations to distribute food to families in need during COVID-19 pandemic.

Marie Hoffman, Grace Gillio, Emma Hoffman, Julie Gillio and Nicole Rajkovich show off their yellow and red Rainier and Bing cherries. Photo by Leslie David.

Ag

Fairhaven Orchards: old business, new ways

In time for cherry season, owners redouble safety measures, add online ordering and curbside pickup.

Cattle are moved from one ranch to another along Highway 25 in South County. Photo by Shari Schmidt.

Agriculture

Moving cattle, Bitterwater style

South County resident Shari Schmidt writes about driving a herd of 120 stocker cattle in the southernmost part of San Benito County.

Photos provided by Swank Farms.

Agriculture

Swank Farms holds outdoor farmers market

Fruits, veggies, sweets and wine available every Saturday through October.

Jim Jack's Cabin now resides at the corner of Third and Monterey streets in San Juan Bautista. Photo by Robert Eliason.

History & Profiles

Jim Jack: the Mustard King

How one man’s generosity helped San Juan Bautista residents in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Students install a protection cage around a newly planted oak. Photo by Nancy Wilcox.

Environment / Nature

Students plant oaks at Pacheco Creek Reserve

Local kids learn about and restore oak woodland next to Highway 152.

Photos by Robert Eliason.

Environment / Nature

The mysteries of mushrooms

Wild or commercially cultivated, the spores are everywhere.

Celery is just one crop that can be delivered to your home. Photo courtesy of Royal Greens Family Farm.

San Benito Lifestyle

How to get fresh food during shelter-in-place

Farms and businesses step up to deliver supplies to homes and cars.

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