Panetta Introduces Bill to Spur Central Coast Ag Mechanization, Innovation

SALINAS, CA – On Friday, October 26, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), co-chair of the Congressional Agriculture Research Caucus, introduced the Specialty Crop Mechanization Prize Challenge Act. The bipartisan legislation incentivizes innovative agriculture technology development and deployment. The bill also encourages public-private partnerships between the agriculture industry and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop mechanization technology to alleviate workforce and cultivation shortfalls.
"The Specialty Crop Mechanization Prize Challenge Act is an important way to inject innovative federal investments in the central coast of California’s agriculture industry," said Congressman Panetta. "Research, development, and evaluation of new specialty crop technologies can help farmers, farmworkers, processors, and shippers at all levels of the supply chain."
"Innovation in agricultural technology will benefit farmers and their employees, while strengthening ties between Silicon Valley and farm country," California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson said. "Farmers of many crops and commodities would welcome new robotic or automated methods that would be practical, safe, and efficient. We thank Rep. Panetta for introducing this bill and look forward to reaping the benefits of the public-private partnerships it would create."
"California fruit, vegetable, and tree nut farmers face many daunting challenges, including water scarcity and labor shortages, which threaten the continued production of a safe, healthy, and affordable domestic food supply," said Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif. "Solutions to these problems will require the rapid acceleration of technology geared toward agriculture. We are pleased that Rep. Panetta understands the role government can play, alongside private sector investments, in speeding the development of innovations aimed at ensuring California farmers meet the needs of a growing population with fewer resources and a smaller footprint."
The Central Coast is home to a $5 billion agriculture industry, producing over 100 different specialty crops. The fruits and vegetables that drive the local economy, such as strawberries, lettuce, and spinach, are particularly labor-intensive. This legislation aims at supporting the development and deployment of technologies to alleviate stresses on the existing workforce and to mechanize activities where there is not a readily available workforce.

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Fatal 3 Vehicle Accident Involving Wrong Way Driver on Highway 101 Outside of King City on January 10

A fatal multi-vehicle collision happened on Saturday night, January 10 at 9:51 p.m. on northbound Highway 101 outside of King City. According to the King City CHP a 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by 65-year-old Paul Lee Cooper of Otis, Oregon was heading the wrong way going southbound in the northbound lanes south of Jolon Road, while a 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by 33-year-old Dinora Maribel Gomez of Salinas was heading northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road in the #1 lane and a Honda Accord driven by 36-year-old Ignacio Sangerman of King City was also traveling northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road but was in the #2 lane. Due to Cooper's level of impairment his vehicle went the wrong way on Highway 101 going directly into the path of Gomez' vehicle causing the rear of her car to crash with the front of the vehicle driven by Sangerman. Cooper was arrested, sustaining major injuries and was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas where as of January 12 is...

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