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NEWS & UPDATES
Welcome to the F3 Initiative News page, your source for the latest updates and stories about our work transforming agriculture in California's Central Valley. Explore articles across our three gears—F3 Innovate, F3 Local, and AgTEC Workforce—to learn how we’re driving innovation, empowering local farmers, and upskilling workers for a sustainable future. Whether you’re interested in groundbreaking ag-tech research, community-based food systems, or workforce development, there’s something here for everyone.
Ag-Tech Takes Center Stage at World Ag Expo
F3 and F3i were featured in an Agri-Pulse West article on February 18, 2026. At the World Ag Expo, leaders showcased new technologies, workforce initiatives and statewide efforts to turn ag-tech into a cornerstone of California ag’s future.
Feb 18
Fresno State’s Robotic Citrus Harvester Featured on ABC30
Fresno State’s technically advanced robotic citrus harvester was recently featured on ABC30 News, highlighting how this cutting-edge technology is being tested in real-world conditions.
Feb 12
TerraTech Returns in 2026
TerraTech applications are officially open for the 2026 cohort of businesses and interns, building on the successes of last year. TerraTech boasts a diverse slate of businesses, organizations, and projects, spanning multiple agricultural sectors and disciplines. TerraTech26 runs from June 1 to Aug. 7, 2026. The application deadline is May 1, 2026.
Feb 4
Creative, Problem-Solving Projects Win at UC Merced's I2G (Innovate to Grow)
A semi-automated washing system for bins at a tomato-processing facility and a mobile app for hikers earned big wins at the Fall 2025 I2G, or Innovate to Grow, event at UC Merced.
I2G is a unique "experiential learning" program that engages external partner organizations with teams of students who design systems to solve real-world engineering and computer science problems.
Jan 30
Prostate Cancer Research published in European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
The F3 Initiative congratulates Dr. Qiao-Hong Chen, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Fresno State, on the recent publication of her team’s groundbreaking research in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Jan 19
F3i's Frost Risk Data Challenge
F3 Innovate (F3i.org) announced the results of its Frost Risk Data Challenge. The competition invited university teams from various disciplines to develop innovative data analytics models to predict frost events.
Jan 13
World Ag Expo Top-10 New Product Winners
The results are in for World Ag Expo’s 2026 Top-10 New Products Contest sponsored by the F3 Initiative. The winners will be showcased February 10-12, 2026 during the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California.
Jan 8
VIDEO: 5th Annual Small Farm Tech Expo
Watch Highlights from the 5th Annual Small Farm Tech Expo! On December 2, farmers, entrepreneurs, and innovators came together for a day of learning, tech demos, and connection at UC Merced. Hosted by Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) with support from F3 Local and the broader F3 Initiative, the event showcased the tools, technologies, and partnerships shaping the future of small farms.
Dec 30, 2025
Mechanical engineering grad helps bring automation to agriculture
Fresno State mechanical engineering graduate student Juan Espinoza has been around agriculture his whole life. He has focused much of his work on researching and building the citrus harvester project – a robot that can harvest citrus, while still retaining the quality of the fruit.
Dec 28, 2025
F3 Graduate Student Highlight: Advancing Solar Durability in Agrivoltaic Systems
Emmanuel Moreno Rabago, a first-year graduate student at UC Merced, is investigating solar energy performance in California’s Central Valley. His F3-funded project focuses on agrivoltaic systems, where solar panels are regularly exposed to dust from farm activity, irrigation, and dry soil.
Dec 15, 2025
Small Farm Tech Expo (Recap & Photos)
More than 200 farmers, researchers, students, and ag-tech enthusiasts gathered at UC Merced on December 2 for the 5th Annual Small Farm Tech Expo, a full-day event showcasing hands-on agricultural technologies designed for small-scale farms.
Dec 10, 2025
Video: UC Merced's Experimental Smart Farm
Watch a new video produced by UC Merced, highlighting its Experimental Smart Farm (ESF). Established in 2022, the ESF is a 40-acre research facility dedicated to advancing agricultural innovation, sustainability, and education.
Dec 5, 2025
Request for Proposals: Case Study Evaluation
We’re excited to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Case Study Evaluation of the F3 Initiative. This is a unique opportunity to help study and document the systems-level impact of F3’s work in agriculture, innovation, and workforce development. Proposals are due by December 10, 2025.
Nov 12, 2025
Reedley College Helps Grow Ag Innovation & Education
The Reedley College Agriculture Conference highlighted the many ag programs and pathways offered, and included several F3 speakers and panelists representing both the F3 AgTEC and F3 Innovate gears. The event was featured in Mid Valley Times, and focused on how focused on Reedley College is cultivating an environment where students can grow into careers in ag and innovative technologies can blossom.
Oct 29, 2025
F3i Welcomes Two New Directors to its Team
F3 Innovate (F3i) is excited to welcome two new directors to its staff; Nathan Dorn, Director of Director of Industry Relations; and Ryan Dinubilo, Director of Innovation.
Oct 23, 2025
F3 Innovate Awards $200,000 to Five Startups
F3 Innovate (F3i) today announced $200,000 in Innovation Grants awarded to five early-stage companies developing technologies in automation, water efficiency, soil health, and plant analytics.
Oct 22, 2025
F3 Innovate Celebrates TerraTech25 Success
F3 Innovate (F3i) is proud to announce the success of its TerraTech25 program, which provided transformative experiences at the intersection of agriculture and technology for 20 talented undergraduate students, providing them hands-on opportunities with 12 industry partners across five counties.
Oct 21, 2025
VINE Connect Field Day at UC Merced (Video & Photos)
On September 17, more than 150 farmers, researchers, and innovators came together at UC Merced’s Experimental Smart Farm for a VINE Connect Field Day dedicated to practical solutions for these realities.
Oct 8, 2025
UC Merced Fall Ag Bags
On September 4, UC Merced hosted its first Ag Bag gathering of the fall 2025 semester, featuring three speakers who highlighted innovative approaches to nutrition, soil health, and water sustainability. These Ag Bag gatherings are an opportunity for faculty, staff, graduate students, & post-docs to connect about ag, learn from researchers & share updates on campus infrastructure & resources.
Oct 6, 2025
Fresno State R&D Symposium & Video
On August 28, 2025, the F3 Initiative and Fresno State hosted a dynamic Research & Development Symposium at MBA@Campus Pointe, spotlighting innovation in agriculture through research, industry partnerships, and student engagement.
Sep 1, 2025
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