Kawahara Nurseries to expand to San Benito County
Kawahara Nurseries, which is based in Morgan Hill, is looking to open a year-round wholesale agricultural facility on Anzar Road in San Benito County.
The planning commission on June 16 approved Kawahara Nurseries’ application for an agricultural facility use permit on a 104-acre property that...
Bill would require U.S. to pay anti-dumping funds to Christopher Ranch
Two California legislators recently introduced a bill that will ensure the federal government pays out anti-dumping duties it has collected to U.S. producers of garlic, honey and crawfish.
Gilroy garlic grower Christopher Ranch is one of the companies in California that could finally receive the...
Cal Fire training program aims to increase defensible space efforts
The Office of the State Fire Marshal recently established a statewide program to allow qualified applicants to support Cal Fire in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts, says a press release from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Qualified...
DeRose Winery is steeped in South Valley history
In my last column I highlighted Rosy and Rich Bergen’s Little Uvas Vineyard (LUV) and their facility called “The Garage” at 255 Fitzgerald Ave. in San Martin. Their long range plan is to have other businesses, like other wineries and eateries, help fill the...
State grants Open Space Authority $1.2M for Coyote Valley preservation plan
The Board of the State Coastal Conservancy recently authorized funding totaling $84 million for projects throughout California to protect and restore coastal lands, increase coastal resilience to climate change, improve public access to the coast and reduce the impact of wildfire on coastal lands.
Locally,...
Housing project to include homes for farmworkers
A newly funded housing complex in Morgan Hill will include units specially dedicated for farmworkers, the city announced on July 11.
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors originally signed off on a $13.2 million proposal for the site on June 28.
The Magnolias will be...
San Martin ‘treasure’ Kenneth Ludewig dies
Lifelong San Martin resident Kenneth Ludewig, a local “treasure” who brought joy to countless South Valley residents as the creator and operator of the former San Martin Country Park & Pumpkin Patch, died unexpectedly on Nov. 7, according to family members. He was 74...
State reps push for farmworker tax credits, more overtime
State Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, and state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield, introduced legislation to create a tax credit for agricultural employers to help cover the cost of paying overtime wages to farmworkers.
Senate Bill 921, co-sponsored by the California Farm Bureau and the California Association...
Community garden cultivates food, friendship
On sunny afternoons at the Morgan Hill Community Garden, Charlie Beecroft tends to his plot of vegetables and herbs. After downsizing to a home in Morgan Hill with virtually no yard, the community garden has become his outdoor sanctuary.
“For us, it was a great...
Santa Clara County Fair moves to August
The Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Management Corporation (SCCFMC) announced this week that starting this year, the Santa Clara County Fair will move to the third week of August as part of a long-term strategy to secure essential vendors and ensure the fair’s continued success,...

















