Already there are calls for banning GMOs in Monterey County.

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Further south, Monterey County is a much younger wine region.

BBC: California��s other wine countries

In the early 90s I was a rookie television anchor in Monterey County, CA. I lived a few miles from the Panetta family walnut farm in Carmel Valley.

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During a harvest season--when more than 30, 000 workers are typically scattered across the fields of Monterey County--yesterday, strawberry, lettuce, and artichoke fields surrounding Salinas were empty, not a worker or moving farm vehicle in sight.

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East of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley Road takes you past organic farms, vineyards and equestrian ranches and into the tiny village of Carmel Valley, where many established Monterey County wineries have tasting rooms, and country bistros have invitingly shady garden patios.

BBC: California��s other wine countries