Events

Upcoming Events

Join Us for the November Ag Bag Gathering!

Thursday, November 13 | 12–1:30 PM | Conference Center 110

Presenters:

Professor Erin Hestir (Civil & Environmental Engineering; CITRIS Director; BioSCape Co-PI) will share insights from her groundbreaking work in environmental remote sensing — using satellite and airborne technologies to monitor biodiversity, aquatic ecosystems, and water quality across scales.
Professor Yemi Adebiyi (Life & Environmental Sciences) will discuss his research on aerosols and their far-reaching effects on regional and global climate, including work from the new UC Dust Center and the innovative UC Dust tool addressing California’s dust storm challenges.
Industry Spotlight on Bluewhite.ai. Bluewhite is redefining autonomy with Field Intelligence AI, our proprietary AI engine, that drives efficiency, reduces labor dependency, and enhances safety without compromise.

Small Farm Tech Expo 2025 Comes to UC Merced

The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is hosting this year’s Small Farm Tech Expo at UC Merced — a full-day, hands-on event designed for small-scale farmers and ranchers, community organizers, researchers, and innovators shaping the next wave of small-farm technology.

See live demonstrations of appropriately scaled tools and machinery, explore open-source and digital technologies ready to deploy this season, and discover low-cost mechanization strategies tailored for small acreage operations.

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Location: UC Merced Conference Center

Agenda to be announced.

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

Past Events

Almond Board of CA Research Info Session

Join the Almond Board of California leadership for a conversation about their funding opportunities and research priorities.

In the past ABC has funded research in nutrition, IPM and harvesting.

Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Admin 306
Light refreshments & snacks will be served

VINE Connect Field Day at UC Merced (Live AgTech Demos)

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.–12:30 p.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

Cost $30 – must register at the link below

Jan. 31, Feb. 20, March 20, April 24

F3 Ag Bag Meetings Spring 2025

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 Shawn Li

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

Jan. 31 and Feb. 21

Motor Drivers Course

Unlock the power of motor control in robotics and automation with this in-depth training. Gain hands-on experience with Stele Tech’s A.C.R.E. motor driver and dive into the key components of feedback systems used in real-world applications.

Dates: January 31 and February 21
Time: 10 AM – 12 PM
Location: Granite Pass 140

What You’ll Learn:
Fundamentals of motors used in robotics
Feedback systems and closed-loop control
Hands-on experience with Stele Tech’s A.C.R.E. motor driver
Advanced motor control techniques

Spots are limited so please register asap. Lunch will be served.

contact: vista@ucmerced.edu

Fall 2024

December 6, 2024

AI * AG REVOLUTION: Tech Frontiers Lecture

Join us for Frontiers in Technology Lecture for the next generation of innovators with Dr. Elliott Grant + Fireside Chat with Seana Day, agtech strategist

Friday, December 6, 2024

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

UC Merced Conference Center Ballroom

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 2024

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?

April 2024

April 23, 2024

Hack the Valley

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

Hack the Valley

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.

February 2024

Feburary 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)

March 2024

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 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 8 – 10, 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.

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.

March 4, 2024

Environmental Systems Graduate Group Seminar

Discover the groundbreaking work in developing sustainable vineyard practices and effective control strategies for fungal diseases of grape, offering insights into innovative approaches to disease management.

January 2024

January 26 – 28, 2024

¡Valle! VISTA: Get your start in tech!

¡Valle! VISTA: Get your start in tech! Join us for a networking and mentoring workshop January 26th-28th. Earn up to $150 while participating in this workshop! Develop your application materials for internships, REUs, and more, Learn new skills, fly drones, and code, Network with mentors at dinner downtown. Undergraduate students in STEM are encouraged to apply. Applications are due Sunday, January 21th, 2024 at 11:59pm: https://forms.office.com/r/aZVC3kECZH. Learn more at citris.ucmerced.edu/valle.

December 2023

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.

December 5, 2024

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 2023

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 real-life 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

Agricuture 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 2023

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

Explore AI and Agriculture

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

September 2023

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.

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.