Lamented ‘illegal immigrant Mexicans’ Opponents of illegal immigration recently discovered that they had support for a long time from an unexpected source.  Recently released interviews with iconic union organizer Cesar Chavez have revealed that the founder of the United Farm Workers vigorously opposed immigrants who left their homes in Mexico and entered the United States illegally to labor in agriculture.  In a 1974 interview, which was aired on YouTube last week, Chavez la

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Master Gardener Rich Gilman holds a plant in the propagation house at Three Sisters Demonstration Garden at Madera Community College. The Madera County Master Gardener Program maintains a little treasure that is located behind the campus of Madera Community College, 30277 Avenue 12. It is a 2-3-acre demonstration garden area called Three Sisters Garden. Master Gardeners Cecelia Sheeter and Tresa Varlas are co-chairing an event, to be held on

For The Madera Tribune George Washington Mordicai. Frederick Quant and George Mordecai were bitter enemies.They just didn’t know it.Given half a chance, either man would have killed the other, for they were soldiers who were on opposite sides in the American Civil War. In April of 1865, these two corporals squared off for one final showdown at Appomattox and thereby wove a patch of irony into the fabric of Madera’s history. George Washington Mordecai was a native of Richmond,

Katrina Soliz/The Madera Tribune The Chowchilla community looks on as the annual Western Stampede commences Friday. Hundreds turned out for the cattle drive along Robertson Boulevard. The event, which spans through the heart of downtown Chowchilla, began in 1958. Madera County is home to the only authentic cattle stampede in the state and hundreds came out for the historic event that kicked off the 69th annual Chowchilla Western Stampede with fanfare, rodeo royalty and plenty

What began in 2011 as a modest vision to showcase local wines in a vintage 1928 farmhouse has evolved into the Central Valley's premier outdoor entertainment destination.  This year, “ApCal Rock'n Ranch” officially celebrates its 15th anniversary, marking a decade and a half of growth, resilience, and world-class live music. The journey started in December 2009 when owner Darren Schmall pitched the idea for "Appellation: California" (ApCal) to a property owner along State Rou

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Some orchards along Cleveland Avenue near Road 23 are flooded due to recent and current rainfall. When Central Valley farmers talk about water, they welcome the rain any time they can get it. However, when Madera County was soaked with a record amount of rain this week, maybe it wasn’t the best time to get it.  Not that farmers are complaining. Now, they are worried about their crops, especially the almond crops, which is the No. 1 agricultu

For The Madera Tribune Members from the Madera Irrigation District stand with members from Stanford University in front of a well field named after Stanford professor Richard Luthy. The MID and Stanford are partnering to research groundwater recharge. Madera Irrigation District (MID or District) has partnered with Stanford University on groundwater recharge research. The project involves the assessment of recharge basin performance from both a water quantity and water quality