12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Founded more than four decades ago, the annual EcoFarm conference has served as a meeting place for generations of organic farmers and enthusiasts from around California and beyond. “One of the most powerful things about EcoFarm is the intergenerational exchange of knowledge,” Ecological Farming Association Communications Manager Katya Baty says. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see experienced farmers, first-time growers and advocates come together to learn from one another and strengthen the future of organic farming and build a resilient food system.” This year’s conference, with the theme “Seeds of Strength: Empowering Farmers for a Changing Climate,” features farm tours, seed swaps, tastings, a dance and more than 65 skill-building workshops. Pre-conference workshops began on Jan. 21 and the event continues at Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove through Sunday, Jan. 25. One of the workshops is moderated by retired UC Cooperative Extension farm adviser Richard Smith. He will lead a panel discussion about the system created by the acclaimed and recently deceased grower and cofounder of JV Farms Organic, Israel Morales Sr., who will be honored at the conference with a posthumous Sustie Award, which recognizes leaders who advance agroecology and sustainable food systems. “Going back 35 years ago, he first started developing a system for reducing tillage in the Salinas Valley,” Smith says. “He used that reduced tillage system throughout his career after he developed it. Other people did not really pick up on it, but they are now. His life’s work is really gaining relevance now with the younger generation.” Morales’ method also consisted of cover cropping, or growing crops not intended for sale but for the enrichment of the soil. “That’s a keystone practice for improving the health of the soil,” Smith says. “They provide biomass and basically carbon to the soil. Carbon is the key ingredient to soil organic matter and in building soil organic matter, you build soil health.” Smith has taken part in the conference for many years and says he always learns something new. “This is one of the more hopeful events,” he says. “Growing food in a sustainable way and reducing the use of pesticides is very hopeful.” Mercedes-Benz of Monterey plans to move into Marina’s Dunes development in the former Fort Ord, gaining Marina City Council’s approval to help with construction costs. That agreement got the green light from the council in May, with the stipulation that Unstoppable Automotive Group, the owner of the dealership, break ground by Jan. 1. It’s now more than halfway through January, and the spot, located at the corner of Divarty Street and 1st Avenue, remains a dirt lot and staging area for construction equipment for the nearby housing development. The sales tax revenue sharing agreement has yet to be finalized. Marina City Manager Layne Long says the dealership has not submitted a building permit. “We are continuing to meet with them and they are getting closer to submitting their application,” he says, adding that an updated construction schedule and incentive agreement will have to come back to the council once the development plans are finalized. An inquiry to Unstoppable Automotive Group was not returned as of press time. Unstoppable Automotive Group plans to build a 60,000-square-foot dealership, estimating it would start with more than 80 employees. Land acquisition and construction costs are expected to top $40 million. Under the agreement approved by the council in May, Marina would rebate half of the city’s 1-percent local share of sales tax revenue generated by the dealership to Unstoppable Automotive Group, for up to five years. The city expects to receive $6.4 million in tax revenue over the five years, according to a report by Long. Monterey County Clerk-Recorder documents show Marina Community Partners sold the property to Marina Auto Properties, a subsidiary of Unstoppable Automotive Group, on Dec. 19 for $5.3 million. Mercedes-Benz of Monterey is currently located at 498 Fremont St. in Monterey. It’s one of the top sales tax generators in the city, according to city reports. The business is billed as one of the first MercedesBenz dealerships to be established in the U.S., opening in 1957. Temeculabased Unstoppable Automotive Group purchased it in 2023. Farm Team EcoFarm to honor longtime local farmer Israel Morales Sr., an organic innovator. By Aric Sleeper NEWS HOUSING MATTERS Salinas City Councilmember Margaret D’Arrigo hosts a discussion on housing rights. The meeting is open to renters, property owners, managers and the public. 6-8pm Thursday, Jan. 22. Salinas City Hall, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 566-0824, echofairhousing.org. BLOOD BANK The American Red Cross is on the brink of a blood shortage, and asks the public to donate blood or platelets now. Blood drives are scheduled in Monterey County. 9:30am-1:30pm Friday, Jan. 23. Monterey Elks Lodge, 150 Mar Vista Drive, Monterey. 9:30am-1:30pm Friday, Jan. 23. Pacific Grove Community Center, 515 Junipero Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. Schedule at (800) 733-2767, redcrossblood.org. BY THE NUMBERS City of Carmel is moving forward with street addresses. Residents can learn more at a “Walk-In Day,” where the Street Addresses Group will answer questions and show residents how to navigate a draft map. 1-3:30pm Friday, Jan. 23. Carmel City Hall, Monte Verde Street, between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. Free. (831) 620-2000, ci.carmel.ca.us. AGING ACCESSIBLY Speak to agency representatives on a range of topics, including caregiver resources, dementia care, Medicare and Medi-Cal, legal services and more. Alliance on Aging’s South Monterey County Community Resource Fair also includes lunch. 11am-2pm Saturday, Jan. 24. Lockwood Community Center, 65951 Lockwood Road, Lockwood. Free. (831) 758-4011, allianceonaging.org. WHERE WE CAME FROM Those looking to dive into their genealogy journey or the latest technology are invited to the Ancestor Roundup genealogy seminar. The event, presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Commodore Sloat Chapter, includes classes on preserving family archives, Black American Freedman genealogy and more. 8am-4pm Saturday, Jan. 24. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1024 Noche Buena St., Seaside. $35-$47. bit.ly/AncestorRoundup2026, junel_d@ yahoo.com. PLANNING CHUALAR The County of Monterey is developing the Chualar Community Plan, intended to define the small community’s boundaries and encourage housing and commercial development. A survey is underway for residents to share their thoughts. Survey ends Feb. 12. English: surveymonkey.com/r/NHQJ7MF. Spanish: surveymonkey.com/r/GJ8ZYGL. Speed Bump Marina and Mercedes-Benz work on a new plan after previous agreement was never finalized. By Erik Chalhoub The EcoFarm Conference features pre-conference activities, including a bus tour, which allows participants to witness sustainable agriculture in action. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “His life’s work is really gaining relevance.” ECOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION
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