What was once the country’s third-largest mushroom producer is facing a complaint filed by the city seeking nearly $200,000, and a civil suit by Shell Energy North America for an unpaid line of credit.
Santa Barbara County’s economy relies heavily on its billion-dollar tourism and agricultural industries, two of the fastest-growing sectors of California’s economy by number of jobs. But those are also industries with highly seasonal workforces and generally low-paying wages.
In response to economic losses caused by the statewide drought, certain small businesses across California, including in the Tri-Counties, are now eligible to apply for low-interest federal loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the agency announced on Jan. 21. Small, non-farm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit Read More →
Shares of Santa Paula-based Limoneira Co. plunged 8.1 percent in mid-afternoon trading on Monday after the company reported a fourth-quarter loss of $1.1 million, compared to a $141,000 profit a year earlier. The loss was primarily the result of lower avocado volume and revenue, the firm said.
Shares of Calavo Growers soared 6.5 percent on Tuesday, when the Santa Paula-based produce marketer reported fourth-quarter revenue climbed 35 percent to $190.7 million on higher avocado prices and volume.
Strawberries remain the largest piece of the pie in the Tri-Counties’ multibillion-dollar agriculture industry, but there will be slightly less acreage in the New Year.
The framework will allow the USDA and its partners to coordinate resources, share information and develop strategies to combat a serious bacterial disease affecting citrus crops locally and in other states.