Events

UPCOMING Events

Fall Ag Bag Gatherings

For faculty, staff, graduate students, & post-docs to come together and strengthen the ag community at UC Merced.
Let’s connect, learn from researchers & share updates on campus infrastructure & resources.
Coffee, tea, & light lunch provided.

Fall Dates:
September 4, 2025
November 13, 2025
December 4, 2025

Location: Conference Center 110 on UCM campus
Time: 12 – 1: 30 PM

    Register here

    Past Events

    SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

    See AgTech in Action—Right in the Field

    On September 17, VINE Connect brings its Field Day series to UC Merced. This grower-focused morning features live demonstrations of six emerging technologies tackling key farming challenges. Each solution is vetted through the VINE Connect program, a collaboration between UC ANR Innovate and Farmhand Ventures.

    Key Details

    • Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
    • Time: 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
    • Location: UC Merced
    • Cost: Free; coffee and breakfast provided
    June 27, 2025

    Agtech 3d printing workshop

    This one-day, hands-on, engineer led workshop is designed for high schoolers who are curious about technology, innovation, and agriculture.

    No prior experience in coding or 3D printing is required.

    All high schoolers  are welcome.

    June 27, 2025

    UC Merced Campus

    8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

    Jan 30, Feb 20, March 20, April 24

    F3 Ag Bag Meetings Spring 2025

    Join us for our F3 Ag Bag Spring 2025 Meetings!

    This series is aimed at providing our UC Merced ag community a place to connect with each other, learn from speakers, and to share updates on campus infrastructure and related resources.

    January 30 – Adam Fine from bluewhite.ai

    February 20 – Prof. Asa Bradman and Prof. Jay Sexton

    March 20 – Prof. YangQuan Chen and Danny Royer

    April 24 – Prof. Andrea Joyce and Karina Diaz Rios

    Time: 12:00 – 1:00 P.M.

    Locations: Conference Center Rooms 105 and 110

    Contact: Leigh Bernacchi, F3 Exec Dir. – lbernacchi@ucmerced.edu

    Light lunch and refreshments will be served.

    April 17, 2025

    vista f3 – vine build commercialization workshop

    This event is for Innovators, entrepreneurs, students, faculty, and anyone curious about tech commercialization and innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, network, and grow!

    Thursday, April 17th, 2025

    Time: 9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

    Locations: COB2 Room 290, UC Merced

    Contact: Leigh Bernacchi, F3 Exec Dir. – lbernacchi@ucmerced.edu

    December 6, 2024

    AI * AG REVOLUTION: tech frontiers lecture with dr. elliott grant

    Elliott Grant is an inventor, CEO, professor. He Led AI development for ag, serving as CEO of Mineral.ai, a Google[x] Alphabet company focused on precision agriculture and data-driven decision-making. In the Last U.S. lecture before returning to Cambridge University, Grant shares why now is the time for UC Merced students to work on our greatest challenge: feeding 9 BILLION people, sustainably.

    Friday, December 6, 2024

    12-1:30pm, doors open 11:40am

    UC Merced Conference Center Ballroom

    Contact:

    Leigh Bernacchi, F3 Exec Dir. – lbernacchi@ucmerced.edu

    August 29, September 26, October 31

    F3 Ag Bag Fall 2024 Gatherings

    For faculty, graduate students, & post-docs to come together and strengthen the ag community at UC Merced. Let’s connect, learn from researchers & share updates on campus infrastructure & resources. Coffee, tea, & light lunch provided.

    Time:

    12:00 – 1:00 PM

    Locations:

    Aug. 29 – CC 105

    Sept. 26 – California Room

    Oct. 31 – CC 110

    Contact:

    Leigh Bernacchi, F3 Exec Dir. – lbernacchi@ucmerced.edu

    May 3, 2024

    Technology Translation Workshop

    The VINE, VISTA, and F3 are hosting a focused and hands-on workshop on tech translation and commercialization!

    May 3, 2024

    IoT4Ag

    What are the big challenges facing California specialty crop growers today? Why is automation the only real solution to the labor challenges? Why are biologicals the best solution to pesticide regulatory challenges and why they are likely to be the best funded AgTech segment of the next 5 years. Why is AgTech VC investing shrinking and what will happen to it the next 3-5 years? What are the tech segments that will benefit AgTech and what are the biggest innovation opportunities in AgTech today?

     

    Event poster for "Innovation Harvest," focusing on the future of agriculture with F3 and Tesserakt Ventures. It features a segment on AI and open-source agriculture solutions on Oct. 26 and database applications and rapid prototyping on Nov. 16. Open to all majors, encouraging participants to bring a laptop and friend. Held at UC Merced from 6:30-8:30 PM in ACS 120 with tacos provided. RSVP with QR code, contact, and visit details for VISTA and F3 are included.
    April 23, 2024

    Hack the Valley 2

    Upgrade your resume with generative AI and algorithm skills, earn a LinkedIn badge, and join us for a fun evening of learning, tacos, and a raffle prize draw. Bring a laptop and a friend.

    Event poster for "Innovation Harvest," focusing on the future of agriculture with F3 and Tesserakt Ventures. It features a segment on AI and open-source agriculture solutions on Oct. 26 and database applications and rapid prototyping on Nov. 16. Open to all majors, encouraging participants to bring a laptop and friend. Held at UC Merced from 6:30-8:30 PM in ACS 120 with tacos provided. RSVP with QR code, contact, and visit details for VISTA and F3 are included.
    April 20, 2024

    Bobcat Day

    Come see us at Bobcat Day and check out our drones and robots!

    Event poster for "Innovation Harvest," focusing on the future of agriculture with F3 and Tesserakt Ventures. It features a segment on AI and open-source agriculture solutions on Oct. 26 and database applications and rapid prototyping on Nov. 16. Open to all majors, encouraging participants to bring a laptop and friend. Held at UC Merced from 6:30-8:30 PM in ACS 120 with tacos provided. RSVP with QR code, contact, and visit details for VISTA and F3 are included.
    April 17, 2024

    Appy Hour

    Join us for an evening filled with resources designed to jumpstart your entry into the professional workforce! Receive personalized advice on your resume and LinkedIn profile, connect with mentors, and leave with a professional headshot.

     

    Promotional flyer for Hack the Valley Workshop focusing on bringing AI to the field and unfunking the food system.
    March 13, 2024

    Hack the Valley Workshop

    Come build your future career in AgTech at this coding workshop! Network with local AgTech employers and investors like former Managing Director at Google Danny Bernstein, former VP of Engineering at NVIDIA Claire Delauney, and developers from Fireworx.ai.

     

    Advertisement for hackmerced ix, a hackathon event scheduled for march 8-10, 2024 at uc merced, inviting participants to register.
    March 8, 2024

    HackMerced IX

    A hackathon is an event where anyone with an interest in technology can attend to learn about technology, build a project, and share it over the course of a weekend to win prizes and more! HackMerced welcomes people of all experience levels. We will also have beginner-friendly workshops, events, and prize categories for those unacquainted with hackathons.

     

    Promotional flyer for merced college's agtechx ed event focusing on the future of agriculture and technology.
    March 7, 2024

    AgTechX Ed

    AgTechX Ed centers around multiple panels featuring discussions led by industry leaders addressing critical issues in California Agriculture. Attendees include professionals from the industry and students. To register, please visit: https://go.wga.com/agtech-merced-college

     

    Event poster for "Innovation Harvest," focusing on the future of agriculture with F3 and Tesserakt Ventures. It features a segment on AI and open-source agriculture solutions on Oct. 26 and database applications and rapid prototyping on Nov. 16. Open to all majors, encouraging participants to bring a laptop and friend. Held at UC Merced from 6:30-8:30 PM in ACS 120 with tacos provided. RSVP with QR code, contact, and visit details for VISTA and F3 are included.
    March 6, 2024

    The Vine Connect – Merced

    Join The VINE, Merced Farm Bureau, and the F3 Initiative as we bring together agtech startups, UC Researchers, and farmers to work together and support the future of agriculture in Merced County.

     

    Promotional flyer for Open ET Conference focusing on water resource management across the semi-arid southwester United States.
    February  27, 2024

    Open ET Applications Conference

    Join this in person discussion at the OpenET Applications Conference at Albuquerque, New Mexico about the use of OpenET’s datasets in evaluating water use, using water balance modeling (e.g. rain + irrigation, evaporation, transpiration, runoff to rivers, streams, and groundwater recharge)

     

    Event poster for "Innovation Harvest," focusing on the future of agriculture with F3 and Tesserakt Ventures. It features a segment on AI and open-source agriculture solutions on Oct. 26 and database applications and rapid prototyping on Nov. 16. Open to all majors, encouraging participants to bring a laptop and friend. Held at UC Merced from 6:30-8:30 PM in ACS 120 with tacos provided. RSVP with QR code, contact, and visit details for VISTA and F3 are included.
    January 26, 2024

    ¡Valle!

    ¡Valle! VISTA from January 26th-28th for a tech-focused networking and mentoring workshop. Students earn up to $150 while practicing skills in application material development, drone flying, and coding. Open to STEM undergraduate students, the workshop offers a valuable opportunity to network with mentors during a dinner downtown. Find more details at citris.ucmerced.edu/valle.

     

    Promotional flyer for Hack the Farm Bot Challenge which involves working with a team for eight months. Contains image of farm-ng bot.
    December 10, 2023

    Hack the FarmBot Challenge

    Join the Farm-ng Amiga bot hacking challenge! Assemble a diverse team, pick challenges – Autonomy, AI, or Attachments. F3 will provide funding, access workspace, pitch training, and industry support. Team Formation due 12/10/23.

     

    F3 All Partners Meeting
    December 5, 2023

    F3 All Partners Meeting

    This event will bring together F3: Farms, Food, Future partners to showcase what they have been working on over the last year.

     

    Promotional poster for "Innovation Harvest" event on database applications and rapid prototyping on Nov. 16, 5:30-7:30 PM, at UC Merced. Open to all, no coding needed, bring a laptop. RSVP via QR code, dinner included. Hosted by UC Merced, VISTA, F3, and Tesserakt Ventures.
    November 16, 2023

    Unlock AgTech Opportunities and Learn About Rapid Prototyping and Database Applications

    Join us for our workshop focused on leveraging low-code for rapid prototyping and efficient database applications. Expand your knowledge on AgTech opportunities in our region and build your resume. Connect with fellow students, innovators and entrepreneurs! Dinner will be provided. RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/TQAH73dPyv

     

    Invitation flyer for a special workshop titled 'Agriculture Meets Tech: The Central Valley's AI-Enabled Ag-Tech Hub' hosted by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Event details including date, location, agenda with speakers, learning points, and post-workshop activities are provided, along with a 'click here to register today'
    November 3, 2023

    AGRICULTURE MEETS TECH THE CENTRAL VALLEY’S AI-ENABLED AG-TECH (AI.AG) HUB

    During this workshop, you will gain valuable insights into the pivotal role of the ai.ag hub harnessing AI-based technologies to revolutionize Central Valley agriculture into a globally competitive leading-edge industry. You will discover how UC Merced and Fresno State are contributing to the development of advanced technologies in this region. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the future of AgTech!

     

    Event poster for "Innovation Harvest," focusing on the future of agriculture with F3 and Tesserakt Ventures. It features a segment on AI and open-source agriculture solutions on Oct. 26 and database applications and rapid prototyping on Nov. 16. Open to all majors, encouraging participants to bring a laptop and friend. Held at UC Merced from 6:30-8:30 PM in ACS 120 with tacos provided. RSVP with QR code, contact, and visit details for VISTA and F3 are included.
    October 26, 2023

    Join F3 and renowned speakers from Tesserakt Ventures to discover the fascinating world of AI and Agriculture, Database Applications and Rapid Prototyping

    Come build an understanding of AI and AgTech Opportunities in our region and your resume. Open to all majors; come get your start in ag tech and bring a friend! Tacos will be served. RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/ecPVXrncTe

     

    Promotional image for an event focused on robotic and autonomous farming solutions, happening September 19-21, 2023, at the Salinas Sports Complex in California.
    September 19, 2023

    FIRA

    FIRA USA aims to bring together startups and growers, providing them with great content, demos, and conversations that will benefit the AgTech automation community.

     

    Invitation to the first annual F3 Innovate Showcase on September 1st, 2023, featuring climate-smart agtech, machine learning, soil health, and irrigation technology, with a call to register online. Hosted by F3 with UC ANR, UC Merced, and Fresno State logos displayed.
    September 1, 2023

    F3 Innovate Showcase

    The event will feature F3 Innovate Challenge Grant Awardees and incoming F3 graduate student researchers. The focus will be to learn from each other about our collaborative work in solving industry and climate problems through ag-tech innovation.