SBRCD News Summer 2025
In this issue:
- 2025 Local Work Group Survey
- San Benito Community Wildfire Resource Page
- Recap- May planting events at San Benito County Historical Park
- San Benito AgElement
- SBRCD Welcomes Cameron Chao
- Partner Events
- August 19th Pajaro River Watershed Reslience Program Workshop
- San Benito Agricultural Land Trust Monthly Ranch Days
- Partner Updates
- USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Important Announcements and Deadlines
- RCD of Monterey County is Now Hiring a Bookkeeper
- UC Cooperative Extension Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is Now Hiring!
2025 Local Work Group Survey
Looking for a way to provide input on local agricultural interest and natural resource issues in the San Benito area?
The San Benito Resource Conservation District and USDA Hollister Service Center are now conducting Local Work Group Surveys for all San Benito County community members, ranchers, and farmers. This is your chance to help us develop service priorities on a range of topics including soil health, water quality, fire risk, wildlife habitat, and much more.
To better serve the diverse needs of our community, we’ve created three short, tailored surveys-one each for ranchers, farmers, and local residents.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey below that best fits you. Your input will help guide our programs and ensure we are meeting the real needs of San Benito County
San Benito Community Wildfire Resources Webpage
We are excited to announce the launch of the new San Benito Community Wildfire Resource Webpage as part of the San Benito Wildfire Resilience Program. Designed specifically for the San Benito Community, this online resource hub brings together a wide range of wildfire-related information and tools to help residents stay informed and prepared.
This page features resources on wildfire preparedness strategies, prescribed fire, current incident updates, defensible space guidelines, and much more. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to reduce fire risk, a land steward interested in fire management techniques, or simply someone seeking to stay up to date on local fire activity, this page is built with you in mind.
We invite all community members to explore the page, share it with neighbors, and make use of the many resources available.
Visit the page today and take the next step in preparing for wildfire season- because when it comes to wildfire resilience, knowledge is one of our most powerful tools.
San Benito Wildfire Resource Webpage
Recap- May Planting Events at San Benito County Historical Park
A huge thank you to all the volunteers and partners who came out to San Benito Historical Park on May 2nd and May 3rd to make the Community Action Days plantings a success! We were thrilled to see our community come together to plant native plants, remove invasive weeds, spread mulch, and install educational signage at multiple sites within the park. This hard work and dedication helped create the foundation of an extensive pollinator habitat that will benefit our local butterflies, bees, and other important wildlife for many years to come. Removing invasive weeds from hillsides surrounding the Historical Park also reduces wildfire risk.
Check out this video from San Benito County's Facebook page showcasing the May 2nd Event. Click here to view the full event recap.
Stay tuned for an upcoming event like this one- we look forward to putting more native plants in the ground both for the benefit of our ecosystems and the community!
San Benito AgElement
The Agricultural Element (Ag Element) of the San Benito County General Plan is aimed at protecting and enhancing agricultural lands while supporting the long-term viability of the agricultural economy in San Benito County. There are two upcoming Stakeholder Group Meetings:
Tuesday, August 26th – 4-6 PM.
2301 Technology Pkwy Conference Room (Upstairs), Hollister
Tuesday, September 30th -- 4-6 PM.
2301 Technology Pkwy Conference Room (Upstairs), Hollister
SBRCD Welcomes Cameron Chao as the newest member of our team!
Cameron joined our team in May as the new Program Coordinator, and we're pleased to have him on board to support the implementation of the San Benito Wildfire Resilience Program. Prior to joining the SBRCD, Cameron worked at the Elkhorn Slough Foundation focusing on the maintenance and restoration of protected and working lands. He looks forward to supporting the growth and impact of the San Benito RCD in his new role.
Partner Events
August 19th Pajaro River Watershed Reslience Program Workshop
As a valued member of our community, you are invited to attend the third of five workshops in a series of resilience discussions for the Pajaro River Watershed Resilience Program (PRWRP). This workshop will focus on identifying strategies and projects that will help the watershed adapt to climate change.
This event will be held on Tuesday August 19th, 2025 1-4pm, at the Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main Street, Watsonville, CA 95076
San Benito Agricultural Land Trust Monthly Ranch Days
Join SBALT the first Sunday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to noon for work parties/hikes on Nyland and/or Rancho Larios Protected Lands in San Juan Bautista. Everyone welcome!
Partner Updates
Important Announcements and Deadlines for the USDA Farm Service Agency
USDA Secretary of Agriculture Announces 2023/2024 Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP)
Through the American Relief Act of 2025, The U.S. Department of Agriculture will deliver more than $30 billion in disaster recovery assistance to farmers and livestock producers for losses incurred in 2023 and 2024. Find timeline and other information HERE (add hyperlink) https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/20232024-supplemental-disaster-assistance
San Benito/Santa Clara Farm Service Agency County Committee nominations open for farmers or ranchers in LAA3 (Santa Clara County). Nomination form must be turned into the FSA office by August 1st. Farm Service Agency County Committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and location administration of federal farm programs. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. If you know any farmers of ranchers who would best represent the interest of producers in San Benito and Santa Clara and are willing to serve on the county committee, please use this LINK (add hyperlink) https://www.fsa.usda.gov/about-fsa/county-committee-elections or contact Hollister FSA office staff.
San Benito/Santa Clara Farm Service Agency announces the addition of two Temporary Program Analyst team members to the Hollister USDA Service Center Office.
With the daunting task of administrating all Federal FSA Farm Bill Programs and FSA Farm Ad Hoc programs amidst staffing challenges, The San Benito/Santa Clara Farm Service Agency is glad to announce the hire of Dylan Waste and Michelle Petersen as Temporary Program Analysts. Their contributions will help achieve Farm Service Agency goals and improve office workflow. Please feel free to swing by the USDA office at 2337 Technology Parkway in Hollister in August to welcome our newest team members.
Upcoming Program Deadlines for Active Programs:
ECAP Deadline: August 15th
SDRP Deadline: TBD
Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for coverage Sept 1st, 2025 to Sept 1st, 2026: Deadline for most specialty crops: Sept 1st 2025. If you have already established your farming entity with FSA, please send an email ASAP to catherine.lemere@usda.gov with crops that you are requesting coverage for. Please also be advised that NAP does have coverage premiums. Find more information on the NAP program HERE (add hyperlink) : https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/noninsured-disaster-assistance-program-nap
For questions about any of these programs, please contact: Somelane “Jecht” Souriyamath at somelane.souriyamath@usda.gov or office: (831) 637-4360 ext. 2
RCD of Monterey County is Now Hiring a Bookkeeper!
RCDMC is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced bookkeeper to support its financial operations. This role will focus on managing invoicing processes, maintaining accurate financial records for grant-related transactions, and assisting with routine accounting functions. The ideal candidate is proficient in QuickBooks Online and MS Excel, operates with integrity and precision, and is eager to contribute to a mission-driven organization.
The bookkeeper will engage directly with the Operations Manager and support both the Finance Manager and broader team on financial documentation and administrative tasks. This is a limited-term position. The employee will be eligible for paid sick leave, workers compensation, and self-funded retirement plan contributions, but will not be eligible for additional benefits.
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your qualifications to Eve Mannix, Operations Manager, at Eve.Mannix@rcdmonterey.org with the subject line, “Bookkeeper Application.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Ideal start date at the beginning of August.
To view the full job description Click Here
UC Cooperative Extension Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is Now Hiring!
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Environmental (UCCE) Horticulture and Controlled Environment Agriculture Advisor serving Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Mateo, and San Benito Counties at the Assistant rank. The Advisor will develop an innovative multi-county applied research and extension education program that supports the area’s robust environmental horticulture industry.
Open date: July 15, 2025
Next review date: Wednesday, Aug 20, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Sep 19, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
To view the full job description Click Here