Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

  Join us on Aug. 8 at the Cal Poly Strawberry Center as hundreds of strawberry growers, researchers and industry representatives from all over California (and beyond) gather for the annual Strawberry Center Field Day. Participants rotate through automation, entomology and plant pathology stations, hearing from Cal Poly students and staff about the latest research taking place at the Strawberry Center. The event will also mark the Strawberry Center's 10th Anniversary and partnership with the California Strawberry Commission. Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/gFbsyV-i  

Join us for the second annual Organic Field Day at the Cal Poly Organic Farm this August, hosted by the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research this August. Registration is now open! Follow the link below to register and for more information. We look forward to welcoming you! https://lnkd.in/gF-Hna8R #GrimmOrganicCenter #CalPolySLO #Organic #Agriculture

Cal Poly Dairy Products Technology Center Director Carmen Licon was named as one of the 20 Cheese People to Know: Culture's 2024 Hot List. The feature highlights the 20 makers, mongers, educators and influencers who work hard to champion cheese and the people behind it. ⁠Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJuRW62u

The Grimm Family Soil Health and Sustainability Lab was unveiled with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday – celebrating a milestone for our Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research. Guests toured the new lab, our organic farm and chatted with students and faculty about their ongoing research. The center was established in 2021 with a $5 million donation made by the Grimm Family of Grimmway Farms, the global leader in organic produce. #calpolygrown #calpolyproud #grimmorganiccenter #organic

We are hiring! The college is recruiting for an Events Coordinator to join our team at the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. If you're skilled in planning and executing top-notch events that engage and inspire, this could be the perfect role for you. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/g2B6TMQq

As some of you may know, I am the new Coordinator for the Multicultural Agriculture Program (MAP) in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly. It is an honor to have this program placed in my care as it is one of 3 college specific Multicultural Centers at Cal Poly. MAP has been an integral part of CAFES since the 1980’s and directly supports historically underserved and traditionally underrepresented students (URM) of all abilities and backgrounds through intentional programming and access to important resources. However, due to budget constraints, there have not been sufficient funds to keep the MAP Center open and available to CAFES students for the past two years. I am determined to raise money and reopen the MAP Center in Fall 2024 so our college can resume important programming aimed at increasing sense of belonging, increasing retention rates, and closing the achievement gap through proactive advising, access to resources, and peer mentoring.   My efforts to reopen the MAP Center have been supported financially by all 9 CAFES Department Heads as they too recognize what an important resource this is for our students. If you would like to join them in donating, or if you can help spread the word by sharing this post, I will be forever grateful. Our crowdfunding campaign ends May 15th. Thank you for helping make a difference in the lives of CAFES students!

It's Open House time! Open House is an annual event that showcases Cal Poly's campus to new students and their supporters while offering a glimpse into life as a Mustang. For a full list of the college's planned activities, a campus map and parking info visit: https://lnkd.in/edZQD8HD. See you soon!

Last week, I joined 31 of our best and brightest wine and viticulture students on the 2024 Cal Poly California Wine Tour, visiting 22 locations over five days. These students presented on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry and met with leaders and alumni. I am happy to report that the future is bright. Thank you to Napa Valley Grapegrowers and all of our partners for meeting with our students and hosting us, especially the stops below: Sangiacomo Family Vineyards The Prisoner Wine Company / Constellation Brands JaM Cellars Beckstoffer Vineyards Mathew Bruno Winery Louis M. Martini Winery / GALLO Trinchero Family Estates Alpha Omega Winery JOEL GOTT WINES / Gott's Roadside Wine Spectator Clif Family Winery at Velo Vino Salvestrin Winery Silver Oak Silicon Valley Bank David Abreu Vineyard Mgmt Schramsberg Vineyards California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) ETS Laboratories Bettinelli Vineyard Management Napa Valley Grapegrowers J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines mid•point winery / Rotta Winery Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Department / California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo / Cal Poly College of Agriculture Food and Environmental Science

Students in the AG 452: Issues in California Agriculture course recently traveled to Sacramento to present their policy analysis projects and meet with California agricultural leaders. The course was created in 2003 by alumnus George H. Soares, managing partner at Kahn, Soares & Conway LLP, with the goal of preparing the future leaders in California agriculture by providing them a true Learn by Doing experience in the capitol. Students presented on topics including GMO education, local food systems, agricultural mechanization and agricultural waste management. They met with secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, senators, legislative advocates, program alumni and more.

Thank you Taylor Farms for the amazing support! https://lnkd.in/gwbbEjjM