Monterey County Agriculture Drives Local Economy with Over $11 Billion Impact, New Report Shows

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – Monterey County agriculture contributed $11.706 billion into the local

economy in 2023 and supported 81,315 jobs, Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Rich Ordonez announced on November 18 as he released the latest comprehensive analysis of the county’s largest industry.

“This study goes beyond our annual agricultural report,” said Ordonez. “Instead of stopping at farm production

values, it also quantifies local food processing, employment, and economic ripple effects. The findings offer

vital information for anyone who values a vibrant and resilient local economy.”

To put the contribution in perspective, Monterey County agriculture pumped $32.1 million dollars into the

county economy per day, or more than $1.33 million per hour.

This annual study was conducted for the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner by Drs. Jeff Langholz and

Fernando DePaolis of the Monterey-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Key findings include:

• Including local food production, processing, and multiplier effects, agriculture contributed

$11.706 billion to the county economy in 2023. This represents more than $32.1 million dollars

per day, $1.33 million per hour, and over $22,000 per minute.

• Of the $11.706 billion in total economic contribution, $7.897 billion came from direct economic

output via production and processing. An additional $3.809 billion came from multiplier effects

generated by purchases of agricultural supplies and spending by employees.

• Agriculture’s $7.897 billion in combined direct output from production and processing

represented 16.3% of the county’s total 2023 economic output of $48.385 billion, about one out

of every 6.1 dollars. This made agriculture the largest economic sector in Monterey County by

far.

• As the county’s largest employer, agriculture directly supported 56,365 employees,

approximately one out of every 4.7 jobs in Monterey County, plus another 24,951 (rounded)

attributable to multiplier effects.

• Agriculture has a high level of economic diversification across products, which has provided

critical stability and resilience to the agricultural industry and to the larger county economy.

The report, “Economic Contributions of Monterey County Agriculture,” was released today in conjunction

with Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Rich Ordonez’s briefing of the Board of Supervisors. The report

may be viewed online at: https://countyofmonterey.gov/agcomm. A limited number of printed copies of the

report are available at the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at 1428 Abbott Street in Salinas.

Comments

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...

Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on December 19 released preliminary information concerning the officer involved shooting (OIS) which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. outside the city of Soledad on December 16, 2025. Just before 1:00 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Pina, who has been a peace officer for 10 years all with MCSO, and Deputy Blain Councilman, each in separate patrol cars, were dispatched to 32097 McCoy Road. A resident at the farm labor camp reported a suspicious individual with a handgun whose white Honda 4 door sedan was parked in space 18 at the complex. Before parking there, the suspect drove around and around, stopped in front of the reporting party’s (RP’s) truck, and got out. The RP could hear music. Deputy Pina drove the lead patrol car and arrived just after 1:20 a.m. His dashcam video, which does not record sound but which he installed on his own and at his own expense, depicts the following: He drove down ...

King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23. José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

KRKC COUNTRY

Search This Blog