12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 30-MAY 6, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com At the center of one of Boutonnet Farms’ fields in Castroville is a small plastic box filled with liquid. It’s a pest trap, laced with pheromones that lure in bugs coming to feast on the surrounding crops. During the winter, the fewer bugs there are—specifically the diamondback moth—the better. Their life cycles are disrupted by colder temperatures and rain, slowing population growth before a busy spring and summer harvest season. But in warmer years, that’s not the case. “When it comes to the brassica pests, diamondback definitely has been the biggest issue we’ve faced over the last four or five years, and it looks like this year could be one of the worst we’ve had,” says Ryan Kelly, general manager of Boutonnet Farms. “It’s still early to tell, but we definitely had a heavier start than the last two or three years.” Across the region, more exotic pests and diseases have been encroaching on Monterey County farms, according to Norm Groot, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau. The diamondback moth has become one of the worst offenders. The bug has a penchant for brassicas—a family of plants that includes broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage, which make up a majority of the crops Boutonnet Farms grows. The problem isn’t Boutonnet Farms’ alone. Monterey County is the leading producer of broccoli and cauliflower in the United States, producing 48 and 30 percent of the nation’s supply. “Some of the pesticide tools that were working years ago are not having the same level of effect as they used to,” Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo says. “So it becomes increasingly difficult to manage the problem.” The entire crop at Boutonnet Farms is grown conventionally, not organically. Still, Kelly says that with a mix of chemical and non-chemical treatments—such as bug vacuums and biological controls—the resistance pests eventually develop to pesticides means growers must spray in higher volumes when alternatives aren’t working. In 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved Isocycloseram for use on the diamondback moth, and Salinas Valley growers want to see state agencies approve it. “Forty-nine other states have tools that California does not have,” Groot says. “But California has not yet done so, and it does not appear that they are moving to do so. So we are now at a disadvantage.” Walking along the Rec Trail in Monterey, passersby may take note of two fenced-off buildings near Cannery Row—scaffolding, ladders and structural supports standing outside like they’re actively under construction, tools sitting out, pictures in the window— but nobody’s home. Upon closer inspection, posted on the windows of the two buildings: a residence at 102 Drake Ave. and what was intended to be a Belgian-style brewery at 419 Wave St., are eviction notices from the Monterey County’s Sheriff Office, dated Friday, April 10, informing the building’s former owner, Fabrice Rondia, that the new owner, Holiday Inn Express Cannery Row, has taken possession of the property, which served both as his home and the site of a business venture. Going back a decade, the Weekly reported on Rondia’s vision for a brewery at the location and when he sold Belgian waffles there in 2022. According to court documents, Rondia began running into financial troubles in 2024 after suffering from a medical condition. In a complaint Rondia filed on July 22, 2025 against Monterey County Bank, he states that he filed for a deferment of the roughly $1.2 million loan in December 2024 and that the bank repeatedly requested further information and the deferment was not granted when it should have been. “This property is the culmination of 25 years of commitment, time and sacrifices,” Rondia says. “It’s more than just buildings or businesses—it has been a home for my family and friends. I believe it was taken from me unlawfully, and I am currently pursuing the appropriate legal avenues to restore what was lost.” At a court hearing on Tuesday, April 28, a judge gave Rondia until August 2028 to lawyer up in an attempt to reclaim his home and business. “I’m committed to seeing this through,” Rondia says, “and I’m prepared to dedicate the next 25 years, if needed, to getting it back the right way.” Moth Ball Amid growing pest problems, the diamondback moth threatens top crops. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS HEALTH MATTERS Monterey County Behavioral Health Commission meets to discuss the Behavioral Health Services Act, among other business. Public comment is accepted. 5:30pm Thursday, April 30. Castroville library meeting room, 11160 Speegle St., Castroville. Also via Zoom at bit.ly/ MCBHCApril30. Free. (831) 755-4509, countyofmonterey.gov. WALK AND TALK Tour the City of Marina’s public facilities and share your input. City officials are preparing to place a utility users tax on the November ballot to help fund new facilities. 6pm Thursday, April 30 (tour); 10am Saturday, May 2 (workshop). City Hall, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 884-1278, cityofmarina.org. STATE OF SALINAS Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue delivers the State of the City Address. The event also includes a resource fair, food, childcare and Spanish translation. 6-8pm Thursday, April 30. Sherwood Hall, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. Also streamed live on youtube.com/@ TheSalinasChannel. Free. (831) 7587201, pio@salinas.gov. TAKE FLIGHT The Monterey County Airport Land Use Commission has a vacancy. Those interested in serving as the public member representative are encouraged to apply. Deadline to submit an application is Friday, May 1. Apply at bit.ly/ MCAirportCommission. (831) 7966407, countyofmonterey.gov. YOUNG LEADERS The MindShift Youth Summit, convened by The Village Project, offers workshops, storytelling, live youth media and more, geared around youth mental health. All are invited to attend. 8am-4pm Saturday, May 2. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Free. Register at bit.ly/mindshiftyouthsummit. FUTURE IS NOW Young people and community leaders are encouraged to attend the South County Youth Summit. The event includes workshops on practical life skills, a resource fair, prizes and lunch. 10am-2pm Saturday, May 2. Dennis & Janice Caprara Community Center, 630 Fifth St., Gonzales. Free. (831) 3129966, jchavez@ci.greenfield.ca.us. FIRE IT UP Big Sur Fire hosts an open house. Meet firefighters, check out equipment and take part in a town hall. Noon-3pm Sunday, May 3. Big Sur Fire Station at Post Ranch Inn, 47911 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. (831) 6672113, bigsurfire.org. Cut Short Former owner of a Monterey building loses a business venture after falling behind on a loan. By Aric Sleeper A pest trap on a Boutonnet Farms field in Castroville is strategically placed to reveal clues about the future based on the number of trapped diamondback moths. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “This year could be one of the worst we’ve had.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
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