California Ag Network

Tag: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

  • Business Builder Awards Infuse $1.5M into Food Enterprises Across Southwest

    Awards totaling approximately $1.5 million will empower farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs and strengthen local food systems and supply chain resiliency throughout the southwestern United States.

    Barraza Farms is a small-scale organic farm growing mixed vegetables in Santa Cruz County.

    The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Southwest Regional Food Business Center are pleased to announce the first round of Business Builder Award grants to 73 small and mid-sized farm and food businesses across the Southwest region.

    The Business Builder Award Program is designed to build capacity for food producers and processors by supporting infrastructure, innovation and market access. Recipients include businesses working on:

    ●      Food safety equipment for egg processing, cleaning and grading for a pasture-raised flock, modernizing operations and improving efficiency

    ●      Grain mill for organic heirloom flour production, which will increase supply tenfold to meet growing demand from school districts

    ●      Meat inspection and processing equipment supporting cattle ranchers in Arizona, Nevada and Utah

    ●      Marketing and packing supplies for small food businesses to expand into new markets; examples include spice blends, baked goods, mobile markets, farmers and fish harvesters

    “These projects reflect the diversity and ingenuity of our regional food producers,” said Tracy Celio, program manager for the Southwest Regional Food Business Center. “We are thrilled to distribute Business Builder awards across the Southwest in partnership with USDA, which will address the unique needs of farmers, ranchers and food producers while strengthening local food systems with lasting impact.”

    The recipients include a small, Los Angeles-based spice company, which creates authentic flavors of West Africa.

    “I’m so grateful to receive this grant for Gloria’s Shito,” said founder Gloria Allorbi, whose business creates authentic flavors of West Africa. “These funds will help elevate our shipping process, improve the unboxing experience, and reduce package damage. It’s a big step toward our mission of bringing the bold flavors to more tables and our vision of making the cuisine visible in mainstream grocery spaces; starting with our direct-to-consumer platforms while we grow into retail.”

    Another award recipient, Oatman Flats Ranch, is a farm in Arizona that aims to provide farm-to-fork regenerative, organic-certified food to schools, bakeries, restaurants and health-conscious consumers.

    “We’re thrilled to be an integral part of building local, regenerative and organic food network infrastructure with other local participants,” said Oatman Flats Ranch co-founder Dax Hansen. “This award helps us elevate the value chain with a walk-in freezer and refrigeration unit, improved packaging equipment, and sustainable logistics with local food hubs while supporting the integrity of the products for the community we serve.”

    Part of a national system of USDA food centers, the Southwest Regional Food Business Center – managed by UC ANR alongside its partners – provides coordination, technical assistance and capacity building for food and farm businesses.

    The center’s work across the Southwest is led by a coalition of partners including Utah State University Extension; Utah Department of Agriculture and Food; University of Nevada, Reno Extension; Nevada Department of Agriculture; UC Agriculture and Natural Resources; Valley Vision; UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology; California Department of Food and Agriculture; Occidental College; Local First Arizona; Arizona Department of Agriculture; University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; California State University, Chico; Fresno State; Kitchen Table Advisors; and San Diego Food System Alliance.

    “UC ANR is proud to be part of this transformative initiative, supporting food and farm businesses across the Southwest and helping build a more resilient, diverse and competitive regional food system,” Celio said.

    For a full list of the 73 awardees and project descriptions, visit https://swfoodbiz.org/business-builder/. Updates on the progress of the projects will be posted on the website and on the SWfoodbiz Instagram and LinkedIn pages.

    USDA has terminated the national Regional Food Business Center program, effective Sept. 15, eliminating direct funding and training for small farmers. Over the past two years, the Southwest Regional Food Business Center has directly assisted 2,181 individuals and over 1,850 farm and food organizations to grow new businesses and strengthen local and regional food systems.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.

  • Startups to Showcase Irrigation, Robotics, Pest-Detection Tech June 26

    Six innovative ag tech startup companies have been selected to participate in VINE Connect, a program that vets and connects emerging agricultural technology with growers who can put it to use. California growers continue to face pressing issues, from persistent drought and limited labor to crop pest concerns. These startups were chosen for their promising solutions to key challenges in California agriculture, including water, labor, disease management and pollination.

    The program – run by UC ANR Innovate, the innovation arm of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, in partnership with Farmhand Ventures – will host a free public Field Day on Thursday, June 26, at the UC West Side Research and Extension Center in Fresno County, where the selected companies will demonstrate their technologies.

    “VINE Connect is about ensuring California farmers have access to new technologies that solve real problems on the farm,” said Gabe Youtsey, UC ANR’s chief innovation officer. “These six startups are developing solutions for challenges like water conservation, labor shortages, crop disease and more. We believe that by testing their innovations with growers, we can help make sure the technology truly works for farmers’ needs.”

    The six ag tech startups participating in the VINE Connect Field Day are:

    • HotSpot AG – A California-based company making irrigation management smarter and simpler. HotSpot AG’s system allows farmers to remotely monitor and control irrigation pumps, engines and valves via cloud-based technology, use real-time field data to schedule watering, and receive alerts to issues.
    • Spornado – Creators of an early-warning disease detection device. The Spornado sampler is a passive spore trap that detects crop disease pathogens in the air long before symptoms appear on plants. Farmers place the inexpensive device in the field, send in the collected filter for analysis, and get timely alerts if threats like mildew or late blight spores are detected.
    • Edete Precision Technologies – An ag tech firm addressing the pollination crisis with mechanical pollination services, currently offering its first commercial service for pistachios. Edete allows growers to manage pollination with the same control as irrigation by delivering precise amounts of pure, genetically fit pollen at optimal bloom times. Edete plans to expand its services to provide solutions for bee-pollinated crops like almonds and cherries, offering an alternative or supplement to natural pollination, reducing dependence on bees and helping stabilize crop yields amid growing pollination challenges.
    • CropVue Technologies – A provider of integrated pest and crop monitoring tools. CropVue deploys networks of “smart traps” and in-field climate sensors to give growers daily data on insect pest pressure and crop conditions. High-resolution cameras and AI software identify pests caught in traps (such as moths in a vineyard), while canopy-level weather units track temperature, humidity and microclimate trends. The system delivers real-time pest counts and microclimate data to a web app, helping farmers anticipate pest pressure and make informed IPM decisions with less manual scouting.
    • Verdi – Developer of a precision irrigation and farm automation platform. Verdi combines easy-to-install hardware (wireless valve controllers and sensors) with a farmer-friendly software app to automate irrigation at scale. The technology enables precision water delivery by zone, monitors system performance (detecting leaks or blockages) and integrates with soil moisture data.
    • Bonsai Robotics – A startup bringing autonomy to farm equipment. Bonsai Robotics retrofits orchard machinery (like nut tree shakers and sweepers) with advanced vision and control systems, turning them into self-driving machines. Their autonomous equipment can operate 24/7 in orchards, even in dusty or GPS-denied environments, to shake trees or clear orchard floors without a person at the wheel.
    HotSpot AG’s system allows farmers to remotely monitor and control irrigation pumps, engines and valves. Photo courtesy of HotSpot AG

    The VINE Connect program supports these startups by facilitating direct engagement with farmers and real-world field trials. Participants benefit from expert-led business development and field trial workshops, grower feedback, networking opportunities, and guidance from UC ANR and industry experts to refine their products and accelerate the path from early-stage development to market adoption.

    “Each of these companies has proven technology that could make a real difference for growers,” said Hannah Johnson, industry lead for UC ANR Innovate. “Demonstrating their solutions on the farm and hearing directly from growers give them an opportunity to refine their innovations to better serve farmers’ needs. It’s a two-way street: startups get priceless feedback to improve their products, and farmers get a sneak peek at tools that might improve their operation’s profitability and sustainability.”

    “Startups need direct engagement with growers to make sure their solutions fit the realities of the farm,” said Connie Bowen, founder of Farmhand Ventures, which co-runs the VINE Connect program. “This program is designed to bridge that gap by bringing technology developers and farmers together on the ground. By testing new ag tech in real farming conditions, we’re encouraging collaboration that speeds up adoption of the most useful innovations.”

    The six companies will showcase their innovations during the VINE Connect Field Day on June 26, 2025, at the UC West Side Research and Extension Center in Five Points, Fresno County. The field day will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and feature live demonstrations of each technology in a farm setting. This free, public event offers growers, agricultural professionals, media and community members an opportunity to see the latest ag tech solutions working in the field and to interact directly with the startup teams and UC ANR researchers.

    This field day is sponsored in part by F3 Local, a regional initiative committed to strengthening California’s food and farming economy through practical, farmer-focused innovation. Their support helps ensure that growers in the Central Valley have early access to new tools and technologies aimed at improving resilience and profitability.

    To attend, please register at https://bit.ly/VINEconnectJune2025.

    UC ANR Innovate is the innovation arm of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, dedicated to driving agriculture, food and biotechnology innovation in California. We connect people, ideas and resources to tackle real-world challenges and drive progress that empowers entrepreneurs, strengthens industries and secures a thriving, inclusive future for California’s agriculture, its workers and its communities.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.

  • UC ANR Policy Institute Launched to Inform Policymaking, Implementation

    University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has formally launched the new UC ANR Policy Institute, envisioned as a “one-stop shop” for policymakers to find and easily access scientists and research on a host of critical issues in California. Available expertise encompasses agricultural topics, wildfire and forestry, water and pest management, public health and nutrition, and community and youth development, among others.

    “This institute couldn’t come at a more critical time; as policies and regulations increase in complexity, so too does the need for data and science to be at the decision-making table,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources.

    “Researchers are prime resources for everyone engaged in policymaking – legislators, nonprofits, industry and individual community members – and by increasing capacity to engage in this space, UC ANR will help communities across California craft policies that are practical and produce desired results,” Humiston explained.

    In addition to connecting affiliated researchers across specialty areas and serving as a resource for academics interested in expanding policy-relevant work and communications, the institute also will conduct original research and real-time economic analyses.

    Building upon the foundational work of the former UC Agricultural Issues Center, the institute will focus on the “Regulations, Policy and Compliance” challenge identified in the UC ANR Strategic Vision 2040.

    “The UC ANR Policy Institute will be transformative in delivering the UC ANR mission by increasing science-based communications and community engagement to inform policy decisions and implementation,” Humiston said.

    Anne Megaro has been named interim director of the UC ANR Policy Institute, alongside two associate directors: Karen Jetter, research economist with the former UC Agricultural Issues Center, and JoLynn Miller, area director and 4-H youth development advisor in the Central Sierra. All three will serve in part-time interim roles for three years.

    Anne Megaro

    “I’m honored to work with a strong team to stand up the UC ANR Policy Institute,” said Megaro, UC ANR’s government and community relations director. “We are building an incredible resource that will have lasting, positive impacts. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together to further science-to-policy communications.”

    She said the institute will provide training to UC academics about legislative processes and expand their capabilities to inform the policymaking process beyond the scope of government relations and advocacy in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

    “This new institute will empower and collaborate with researchers to develop data-driven solutions for today’s critical issues, develop audience-friendly communications and amplify the work of UC academics in the policy arena,” Megaro said.

    Interim Associate Directors Karen Jetter and JoLynn Miller serve crucial roles heading up distinct issue areas identified by UC ANR’s Strategic Vision 2040. Jetter, an agricultural economist, will lead “Agriculture and Food Systems” and Miller, a 4-H youth development advisor, will lead “Thriving People and Communities.” A third Interim Associate Director heading the “Natural Ecosystems and Working Landscapes” area will be announced in the coming months.

    For more information about the UC ANR Policy Institute, contact Anne Megaro at ammegaro@ucanr.edu.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.

  • UC ANR Receives Nearly $1M to Spur Ag Innovation with Construction of “The Plant”

    UC ANR Innovate, the innovation arm of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, has received a significant grant award through the California Jobs First initiative to establish The Plant, a facility designed to support agrifood innovation and sustainable agriculture in the Sacramento Valley. This funding will jump-start development for the facility and is part of a broader regional initiative to spur economic growth and sustainability in the Greater Sacramento region.

    The $974,855 Catalyst grant is awarded by the California Jobs First “We Prosper Together” collaborative and administered by Valley Vision, a regional civic leadership organization. The grant will fund early-stage development activities and planning to prepare for construction of The Plant.

    These include feasibility studies, architectural and engineering designs, site evaluations, environmental assessments and preliminary permitting. The grant also funds project management and partnership development to strengthen long-term implementation. By covering these early-phase requirements, the funding reduces project risk and helps accelerate the timeline, making The Plant more competitive for additional public and private investment.

    “This Catalyst grant is a game-changer for The Plant and for agricultural innovation in our region,” said Gabe Youtsey, UC ANR’s chief innovation officer. “It provides the vital resources we need to accelerate this project from vision to reality. The Plant will fill a critical gap by linking UC research and startup ingenuity with the growers, processors and communities who can put new innovations into practice.”

    “By fast-tracking The Plant’s development, we can more rapidly drive new discoveries from lab to field, support a new generation of agrifood entrepreneurs and ultimately grow a stronger, more resilient food system for California,” Youtsey added.

    The Plant will be designed to accelerate solutions in agriculture, food and climate. Its core mission is to harness advanced technologies – notably artificial intelligence and biotechnology – to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in these sectors, from sustainability to food security.

    The Plant aims to bridge the innovation gap between advanced research and real-world application, fast-tracking the commercialization of innovations that address climate change, strengthen food systems and improve human health.

    The heart of The Plant lies in industry-academic collaboration. By bringing together universities, corporations and government (the so-called “triple helix”), the project strives to invent, pilot and rapidly scale solutions for global challenges in agriculture and health.

    Located in Northern California’s Greater Sacramento region, The Plant builds upon California’s unique strengths – from world-class university research to the state’s status as an agricultural powerhouse – to drive economic development and food system resilience on a global scale.

    “California’s farmers and ranchers are facing complex challenges – from drought and climate extremes to supply chain disruptions,” said Glenda Humiston, University of California vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “The Plant will be a cornerstone for developing the next generation of ag technologies and practices to meet these challenges. Thanks to the Catalyst funding, we can accelerate this project and, ultimately, help ensure California remains the ‘go-to’ region for agricultural innovation.”

    With the Catalyst grant, UC ANR Innovate and its partners in industry and academia and across the community will embark on the next steps for The Plant. Over the next year, the grant will fund critical pre-construction work, operational planning and partnership-building activities.

    Meeting these milestones will lay the groundwork for The Plant to move into its construction and implementation phase. By being “shovel-ready” for future investment, The Plant will be well-positioned to attract additional state, federal and private funding to fully realize the innovation campus .

    For more information about The Plant or to learn how you can get involved, please contact UC ANR Chief Innovation Officer Gabe Youtsey at gdyoutsey@ucanr.edu or (530) 750-1314.

    UC ANR Innovate is the innovation arm of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, dedicated to driving progress in agriculture, food and biotechnology. UC ANR Innovate connects researchers, startups, farmers and policymakers to transform ideas into practical solutions that strengthen industries, empower communities and ensure a sustainable future for California’s agriculture. Through collaboration, funding support and real-world application, UC ANR Innovate turns innovation into impact.

    Conceptual illustration of the Plant Innovation Center from street view.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.