In full bloom 

Breaking new ground: Cal Poly just broke ground on the university's new multimillion-dollar Center for Wine and Viticulture on campus! The center will include both a 15,600-square-foot winery and a 12,000-square-foot grange hall, and is expected to be completed in fall 2019. That means more future winemakers with big dreams can make those dreams come true ... Plant seeds and watch them grow: Branch Mill Farm in Arroyo Grande was simply a dilapidated tomato farm before herbalist Ruth Madocks and her father, WWII veteran Wally Madocks, put in a load of elbow grease. Now, this plot of land is so much more than a farm, featuring community events, yoga classes, and a community hangout. Now, Angela Schultz and Robert Barnett, recent grads of Cal Poly's FEED program, plan to revive Branch Mill's CSA program and sell certified organic produce, herbs, and plants. They'll also cultivate outdoor education experiences to teach sustainable farming and gardening techniques to everyone who wants to learn (stay up to date at branchmillorganics.com). Δ

Hayley Thomas Cain can't believe how many new restaurants, breweries, and foodie events are popping up across the Central Coast. She can be reached at [email protected].