Empowering AgTech Advancements and Insights at the Fall Harvest Roundtable | Valley Institute for Sustainability, Technology, and Agriculture

By: Alli Sweigard, VISTA F3 Communications Coordinator

03/07/24

Over 35 people attended “Fall Harvest” roundtables on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at Harris Ranch in Coalinga, CA to explore the purpose of F3 Innovate and devise actions to enhance agricultural technology (AgTech) programs in the Central Valley. F3 partners and representative, as well as local farmers, farm workers and ag educators were among attendees. This event hosted esteemed speakers and industry experts, shedding light on the importance of providing AgTech opportunities and education in the region.

During the F3 Update roundtable discussion, Dr. Leigh Bernacchi, Executive Director of F3 Innovate at the University of California, Merced, emphasized the significance of this funding and the transformative impact it is having on higher education delivering for the agricultural sector. The F3 Update panel included Karen Aceves, Regional Director of F3 AgTEC Initiative & CEO ARKEN Strategies, Cesar Lucio, CVCF/FC Regional Economic Competitiveness Officer, and Helle Peterson, UC ANR Regional Director. Gabe Youtsey, Chief Innovation Officer at UC ANR was the moderator for the panel. Originally established with a different purpose, UC Merced has now become deeply invested in agricultural research, with over 60 faculty members actively engaged in this field. The university’s unique location and the enthusiasm of its students and faculty have attracted interest from other big institutions seeking collaboration.

Dr. Bernacchi said, “F3 Innovate is the engine of research and development that will lead to rewarding jobs and careers in agtech in this region.”

A primary objective discussed during the event was to encourage students to consider careers in agtech companies rather than solely focusing on big advertising tech corporations. The aim is to cultivate a skilled technical workforce and entice students to come to the valley to learn, remain in the valley, and contribute to its growth by providing employment opportunities.

“Your future is not at Facebook. Your future is in farming,” Dr. Bernacchi said.

“The roundtable was an opportunity to convene leadership representatives from the multiple partners involved in F3 and collectively provide a meaningful update to community college faculty members from around the region and several industry leaders and employers,” Lucio said. “The incredible work and collaboration derived from this partnership is the perfect example of what happens when leaders from different sectors commit to create a strong ecosystem that fosters economic growth. The second roundtable, titled “Voices from the Fields,” centered around gathering insights from professionals who work directly with field workers. Cesar Guillen, Manager of HMC Farms, emphasized the importance of effectively communicating the benefits of these new products to individuals who have spent years or even their entire lives working in the fields. Overcoming resistance to change and fostering acceptance of new technologies among experienced workers is crucial for the industry’s progress.

The “Fall Harvest” roundtables provided a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in the AgTech sector. By leveraging the expertise of academic institutions like UC Merced and the insights of field workers and farmers, the event aimed to drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in agriculture while addressing the concerns of those directly involved in the field. With a focus on building a skilled workforce and showcasing the value of AgTech to the community, the event laid the foundation for a prosperous future of AgTech in the Central Valley.