Katie Rodriguez
@katierodriguez.bsky.social
Journalist — Agriculture, climate, oceans, and food (systems and supply chains). Monterey County Now | RodriguezKatie.com
The funding, secured through the 2026-2027 budget, will support Bixby Bridge no parking enforcement, traffic safety measures at Point Lobos, coastal protection and flood resilience, and more. www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_b...
Five Monterey County projects to receive more than $4 million in state funding.
Monterey County secured $4.3M in state funding for five projects, including Bixby Bridge safety, Carmel erosion relief, and soccer complex expansion.
montereycountynow.com
"When we asked regions to identify, ‘what are your priority sectors,’ one of those sectors that consistently came up throughout the state was investing in ag-tech” www.montereycountynow.com/homepage/rec...
Crop robotics is growing fast, but many U.S. companies are stuck before scale, report finds.
Over 400 crop robotics companies are tackling farm labor shortages, but high turnover and harvesting challenges slow scaling, a new report finds.
montereycountynow.com
Interestingly, while there are far fewer boats on the water than there were four decades ago, the volume and value of those landings have fluctuated over the years rather than following a consistent decline. www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
A report finds the Monterey Bay commercial fishing industry squeezed by a slew of pressures.
A new report by the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust takes a look at the state of Monterey Bay’s commercial fisheries over four decades, finding that while the region’s commercial fishing
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Today, the CDC officially announced that the Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce is over. The fallout from the outbreak (one of many clusters) not only impacted growers here in the Salinas Valley, but exposed gaps in food safety systems. tinyurl.com/3e2y88fn
As a record-breaking cyclospora season comes to a close, a look at the impacts on local growers and gaps in the food safety system.
Just like there is a season for certain crops, there is a season for certain parasites.
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The size of the Plaskett Fire has surpassed the Timber Fire, and is now currently the third-largest in the state this year. www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_b...
Plaskett Fire triples in size while Timber Fire remains relatively stable.
Two fires continue to burn in Big Sur; one, the Plaskett Fire, has more than tripled in size in roughly 24 hours, while the other, the Timber Fire, remains relatively
montereycountynow.com
Assembly Bill 1448, known as the California Coastal Protection Act, would strengthen protections for the state’s coastline from federal efforts to expand offshore oil and gas drilling. www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_b...
California bill to block offshore oil and gas drilling heads to the governor’s desk.
California lawmakers passed AB 1448 to block new federal offshore oil and gas drilling. The Coastal Protection Act now heads to Gov. Newsom's desk.
montereycountynow.com
In approving the wells, CalGEM also referenced future projects in the works, including a 92-well project and a separate 100-well project. www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
Eight new gas and oil wells have been approved for San Ardo.
CalGEM approves eight new oil and gas wells for Aera Energy in San Ardo, California, raising concerns over groundwater risks and steam injection.
montereycountynow.com
Vistra’s battery storage facility, the largest in the world, caught fire in the center of a global academic hub; where state and local agencies failed to study the impacts tied to a growing industry, local researchers and community groups stepped in. shorturl.at/fu4wD
Local researchers fill gaps left by state and local agencies after the Vistra battery fire.
Within days of the 2025 Moss Landing fire, Ivano Aiello, a Prunedale resident and a marine geologist at Moss Landing Marine Labs, noticed something was off. Most obvious were the
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Drones, robots, lasers and AI in the world of Ag Tech: A recap of the @ucanr.edu Innovate Field day event, part of an initiative to connect researchers, new tech, growers and policymakers to find solutions in ag. www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/opinio...
Growers are taking notice of tech in the fields.
UC ANR Innovate showcases cutting-edge AgTech, from AI spraying robots to laser weeders and drones, helping California growers innovate in the field.
montereycountynow.com
Evacuation Warning for Big Sur area just south of the Gorge/ Loma Vista, over 370 acres www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_b...
Evacuation warnings issued in two Big Sur zones due to Timber Fire.
Cal Fire issues Level 2 evacuation warnings for two Big Sur zones as the Timber Fire grows to over 370 acres near Post Ranch Inn and Ventana.
montereycountynow.com
“When we go back and look at previous ‘very strong’ [El Niño] events, each of those behaved somewhat differently” www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
Monterey County officials remain flexible as an El Niño event is underway.
Every two to seven years, El Niño generates buzz among scientists, government officials and communities wondering what impacts it could have across California.
montereycountynow.com
A dozen startups are working in some capacity at Reservoir Farms in Salinas. All companies are aiming to assist growers with two big challenges: chemical reduction and labor. www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_b...
Reservoir Farms expands as it tackles farm labor shortages and chemical reduction.
It’s been about three and a half months since Reservoir Farms, an ag tech incubator spearheaded by tech entrepreneur Danny Bernstein, opened its doors in Salinas. A dozen startups are
montereycountynow.com
SGMA is kicking into gear. In about a month, Monterey County water leaders have to tell the state what they plan to do to bring a critically overdraft subbasin into sustainability. But questions remain: how, and who pays? tinyurl.com/mvmdrdmr
It’s a critical year to pick a solution to save Monterey County’s aquifers. The questions are how, and who pays?
IF NOTHING IS DONE, a portion of northern Monterey County could lose access to aquifers that underlie a significant chunk – call it 25 percent – of the county’s agricultural
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“Of course, strawberries do not cause cancer or asthma or brain damage,” says Mark Weller with CPR. “It's the stuff that’s applied to fields before the strawberries are planted, and then after. Some of that sticks, then we eat it, and that's the stuff that gets us in trouble.” shorturl.at/jpLbK
Debate over strawberry safety grows amid viral videos and pesticide reports.
Over the last month, videos have proliferated on social media linking one company, Driscoll’s, to increases in childhood cancer tied to toxic strawberries.
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Breaking News: More than 23,000 people were ordered to evacuate Simi Valley, California, as a fast-moving brush fire threatened homes, officials said.
Sandy Fire in Simi Valley Forces Immediate Evacuations
Officials ordered more than 23,000 to evacuate after a brush fire broke out in Simi Valley, Calif.
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After decades of water scarcity in parts of unincorporated Monterey County, new water supply from Pure Water Monterey is poised to open the tap. The question: how will that water be tracked and allocated to new projects? tinyurl.com/y3j944m2
A draft allocation policy aims to structure where new water supply should go in parts of unincorporated Monterey County.
Monterey County proposes a new water allocation policy for the Pure Water Monterey supply, prioritizing affordable housing while sparkng debate over fairness.
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Across the region, more exotic pests and diseases have been encroaching on Monterey County farms. The diamondback moth has become one of the worst offenders, attacking top crops for which the county supplies a significant share of the national market. tinyurl.com/47p32pb2
Amid growing pest problems, the diamondback moth threatens top crops.
Monterey County farmers face a diamondback moth crisis threatening broccoli and cauliflower crops as pests build pesticide resistance and new tools stall.
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BREAKING: Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a farm bill this morning with a vote of 224 in favor to 200 opposed. The vote comes after several controversial amendments nearly tanked the process.
House Passes Farm Bill With Pesticide Liability Shield Removed
The farm bill passed with the support of nearly all Republicans and 14 Democrats in favor, but it is unlikely to pass the Senate.
civileats.com
With a short window to tackle a high-stakes problem – water – things are getting serious, fast. @montereycountynow.com tinyurl.com/2b577jmz
The clock is ticking on water projects to bring local groundwater basins into compliance.
With a short window to tackle a high-stakes problem – water – things are getting serious, fast.
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A Monterey County USDA-funded program delivering fresh produce to low-income residents, as well as income to local farmers, ended April 2, two years ahead of schedule after funding cuts. tinyurl.com/bddrtyp5
End of USDA-funded ‘Farms Together’ program impacts farms and low-income communities.
Groups of people huddle beneath trees at picnic tables near the farmers market in Seaside on Thursday afternoon, April 2. It is a blustery bluebird day, the chilly wind keeping
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“A lot of farmers, I don’t think they know that’s what they’re spraying on their crops,” says Bernadette Del Chiaro, EWG senior vice president. “The EPA doesn’t label them as PFAS.” www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
Report finding PFAS pesticides on California crops prompts a new bill.
Report finds PFAS pesticides on CA crops, prompting the introduction of a new bill (AB 1603) to phase out these 'forever chemicals' by 2035. Learn about cont...
montereycountynow.com
In the nearly year-and-a-half since the Moss Landing battery plant went ablaze, reports detailing the possible fallout of airborne heavy metals, and what that means for residents and the environment, have painted a patchy picture at best. www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
A patchy picture of contamination from the Vistra battery plant fire emerges.
Conflicting reports on contamination from the Vistra battery fire emerge, showing patchy data on heavy metal fallout near Elkhorn Slough and residential areas.
montereycountynow.com
Oil flows through Santa Barbara coastal pipeline for first time in decade amid Trump's fight with California
Oil flows through Santa Barbara coastal pipeline for first time in decade amid Trump's fight with California
Sable Offshore Corp. announced Monday that it has resumed oil flow through its pipelines despite protests from California officials.
latimes.com
It’s too soon to tell how, and in which areas of Monterey County, farms may be impacted by SGMA changes, says Robbie Long of Braga Ranch. This year will be significant in formulating a set of projects and management actions to carry forward. tinyurl.com/286nkrbf
2026 marks a key decision year for groundwater management in the Salinas Valley.
Eight years ago, a milestone law for climate adaptation took effect to ensure California could maintain adequate water supplies for generations to come. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or ...
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After nearly three years of closure — the longest in the regions history— reopening Highway 1 in Big Sur appears near. www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide in Big Sur is expected to reopen early, potentially by the new year.
Highway 1 in Big Sur may reopen early at Regent's Slide, potentially by New Year's, after a long closure. Businesses react.
montereycountynow.com
“Agriculture is becoming larger, farms are becoming larger. It’s harder to keep up if you’re a small farm,” @jaysayre.bsky.social says. “You’re not going to buy a laser weeder if you’re a one-acre farm.” shorturl.at/K1WkG
Recent acquisition and staff cuts at Braga Fresh reflect larger trends in the ag sector.
Braga Fresh acquisition by organicgirl, facility closure, and job losses reflect ag sector consolidation trends. Taylor Farms expands.
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“The family makes 16% of raw sugar produced in the U.S. through Florida Crystals, which recorded $5.75 billion in revenue in 2024. “
Zach Everson@zacheverson.com · 12mo ago"Meet The Florida Sugar Barons Worth $4 Billion And Getting Sweet Deals From Donald Trump" @chloesorvino.bsky.social, @giacomotognini.bsky.social for @forbes.com
“Ag today doesn’t look like what it did five years ago,” says Richard Chapman, a professor of agricultural engineering at Hartnell. He advises the school’s Farm Robotics Challenge team - part of a nationwide competition soon to welcome its third cohort. www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
Local schools join a competition to develop robotic and AI solutions for agricultural challenges.
Local schools compete to develop robotic & AI solutions for agricultural challenges.
montereycountynow.com
Over nearly 20 years working with a single lettuce producer, Cal Poly researchers found that regulatory compliance costs had increased by 1,366% since 2006, while total production costs rose only 44.4% — without a matching increase in revenue. www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_n...
A Cal Poly study follows one Salinas Valley lettuce grower to reveal cost increases squeezing farmers.
Study shows 1,366% rise in regulatory costs for Salinas farmers, straining profitability. Key drivers include safety, labor regulations.
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