Sustainable Organic Farming, Water Supply & Ranching, Hollister Farm to Table Food System, Rural Ag Development | BenitoLink, Hollister, San Juan Bautista, San Benito County, California

TriCal has been at the same location over 40 years. Google Earth photo.

Business / Economy

Strada Verde reaches safety agreement with TriCal

Published 06/24/2022
BenitoLink Reporter, John Chadwell

The company will pay to move part of TriCal’s chemical operation out of the county if the county approves its innovation park plan.

Column

COLUMN: Water conservation is essential

Published 05/31/2022
Community Contributor, Shawn Novack

State snowpack level sits at 12% of normal.

A map is shown from the General Plan laying out the 16 nodes that are intended for commercial development. Photo provided.

Government / Politics

Elections Office unofficially verifies signatures for growth Initiative

Published 05/27/2022
BenitoLink Reporter, Marisa Sachau

The Board of Supervisors will consider June 14 whether to adopt the initiative or place it on the ballot of the November election.

San Luis Reservoir in 2021. Photo courtesy of Shawn Novack.

Environment / Nature

California starts its third year of drought with a record dry spell

Published 05/19/2022
BenitoLink Reporter, Robert Eliason

Water resources available to San Benito County are dwindling.

Three years after opening, Higher Level of Care pays the city over $500k in fees annually. Photo by John Chadwell.

Business / Economy

Cannabis failing to bring expected revenue to San Benito County

Published 05/13/2022
BenitoLink Reporter, John Chadwell

The county and San Juan Bautista have yet to see any returns, and Hollister has not seen more than $1 million annually.

Government / Politics

Bob Tiffany calls for more commercial revenue and opposes slow-growth initiative

Published 05/12/2022
BenitoLink Reporter, John Chadwell

The District 4 supervisor says understanding basic financial issues will help residents make good decisions about San Benito County’s financial future.

Photo courtesy of Paicines Ranch Learning Center.

News Release

Paicines Ranch to host workshop on regenerative agricultural practices

Published 05/05/2022
BenitoLink Staff

During the workshop John Kempf will describe the principles and science of regenerative farming ecosystems that optimize plant performance.

People walk around the 2021 Farmers' Market. Photo courtesy of Felicia Bisceglia, Farmers' Market manager.

News Release

Hollister Certified Farmers’ Market begins May 4

Published 05/03/2022
BenitoLink Reporter, BenitoLink Staff

It is scheduled to run every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 28.

Farmland outside of San Juan Bautista. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Government / Politics

San Juan Bautista declares state of emergency over water supply

Published 04/29/2022
BenitoLink Reporter, Robert Eliason

Local water districts follow governor's call for water use reduction amid critical shortage results from lack of rain and rapid melting of snowpack.

Column

COLUMN: Update on the Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Published 04/26/2022
Community Contributor, Shawn Novack

Shawn Novack writes that groundwater is a critical buffer against the impacts of drought and climate variability/change.

Government / Politics

Slow growth or no growth would be up to voters under proposed initiative

Published 04/20/2022
BenitoLink Reporter, John Chadwell

A citizens’ group returns with a new name but the same mission: to change the county’s General Plan by eliminating most commercial nodes and putting voters in charge of approving developments.

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COLUMN: Bureau of Reclamation reduces water allocations

Published 04/13/2022
Community Contributor, Shawn Novack

Shawn Novack writes that effective April 1, water supply for all Central Valley Project M&I water service contractors was be reduced to public health and safety only.