AltWeeklies Wire
California's Great Olive Oil Floodnew

In the past decade, armies of trees have taken root in the Central Valley, the northern Bay Area wine country, and the Central Coast hills. California is still just a baby in world production, but has paced itself to enter the ranks of the world's leaders in olive oil milling in the next 15 years.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Alastair Bland |
01-12-2009 |
Food+Drink
How to Harvest Rainwater for the Futurenew

In many developing nations, the need for water and the lack of public supplies has forced the population to capture rainwater and save it for use throughout the year, both for irrigating and for drinking. Incredibly, some states in America prohibit such resourcefulness.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Alastair Bland |
09-15-2008 |
Environment
Is California Witnessing the Return of the Abalone?new

The culture of abalone diving saw its heyday in the 1970s, and even though sea snail searching will never again be the same, a San Miguel Island fishery may be in the works.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Alastair Bland |
06-30-2008 |
Animal Issues