Events
UPCOMING Events
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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.
Speakers TBA!
January 30, February 20, March 20, April 24
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.
Past Events
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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
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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
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May 3, 2024
Technology Translation Workshop
The VINE, VISTA, and F3 are hosting a focused and hands-on workshop on tech translation and commercialization!
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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?

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.

April 20, 2024
Bobcat Day
Come see us at Bobcat Day and check out our drones and robots!

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.
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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.

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.
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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

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.
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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)

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.
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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.
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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.

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

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!

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
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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.

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.