Ag

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.

The regenerative wine event at Paicines Ranch was made up of a diverse group of people working within the wine industry. Photo credit Janna Olson.

Food / Dining

Paicines Ranch hosts regenerative wine convention

The first regenerative wine gathering held in February, focused on involving people from different sectors of the industry and from different cultural backgrounds.

The Jesse Hildreth Rose. Photo by Robert Eliason.

San Benito Lifestyle

Beauty and history: the heritage roses of San Juan Bautista

Unique varieties have been growing in the city cemetery for many generations.

Both Calera Wine Company and Paicines Ranch (featured) incorporate sheep grazing into their vineyards. Photo provided by Alicia Arcidiacono.

Agriculture

Grazing sheep helps the soil at Calera Wine vineyards

Paicines Ranch uses livestock in regenerative farming.

Stockers grazing in Paicines in springtime. Photo provided by SBALT.

Agriculture

It’s stocker season in San Benito County

While some ranchers run cattle year-round, others run cattle for part of the year before shipping them to another location.

SEE MORE AG