Farming and agriculture pulled another billion-dollar performance last year, the second time in a row. Strawberries led the pack, posting $313 million in gross revenues, followedas usualby broccoli, wine grapes, cauliflower, and lettuce. Not counted in any agricultural statistics is the immense cash draw of cultivated marijuana, which outperforms all other crops combined. Just one bust near Lompoc last yearthe largest in county historywas worth $1 billion.
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The Goleta-based Deckers Outdoor Corporation was named by Outside magazine as one of 2008’s best places to work, as determined by employee satisfaction and environmentally friendly business practices. Ranking ninth on Forbes magazine’s 2007 list of the 200 best small companies, Deckers owns the Teva, Simple, and Ugg shoe labels.
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With 20 years of restaurant-industry work under his belt, Ozzie Garcia has been appointed The Natural Cafe’s new vice president. Formerly the director of franchise operations for La Salsa from 1992 to 2007, Garcia reportedly aims to turn the Santa Barbara-based chain into a full-fledged franchise.