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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.
State Board of Food and Agriculture visits UC Merced
On April 7, the California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear updates from researchers at the University of California, Merced (UC Merced) on the campus’ Agricultural Experimental Station and the Secure Water Future collaborative.
Apr 3
Inside F3 Innovate’s Vision for Agriculture (AgNet West)
At the World Ag Expo, one conversation with “the Ag Meter” Nick Papagni, stood out as a glimpse into the future of farming. Priscilla Koepke, CEO of F3 Innovate, shared how her organization is working to transform agriculture in California’s Central Valley—and beyond—through technology, education, and collaboration.
Mar 25
Big Ag Shows Interest in Fresno State’s Robot Harvester (The Fresno Bee)
A team of Fresno State engineering students is developing a first-of-its-kind robotic tool that could dramatically change the way citrus fruit is harvested. In field tests, the machine’s robotic hand has successfully completed several critical benchmarks, including being able to precisely cut the fruit’s stem so as not to leave any sharp edges.
Mar 21
Ag Day at Fresno Chaffee Zoo
On Saturday, March 21, Fresno Chaffee Zoo will host Ag Day: Seed to Table, a vibrant celebration honoring the region that helps feed our community—and the world. This special event invites families, farmers, innovators, youth leaders, and community members to come together for a fun, hands-on experience that highlights the richness and diversity of agriculture across our region.
Mar 19
International Year of the Woman Farmer
The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026), a global recognition of the vital role women play across agrifood systems. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition and economic resilience. Women farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders are shaping the future of agriculture every day, balancing tradition, innovation, and community impact.
Mar 17
VIDEO: 2026 World Ag Expo®
This recap video highlights the F3 Initiative and F3 Innovate’s participation at the 2026 World Ag Expo, including a co-sponsorship of the Top 10 New Products and F3i's interactive booth featuring F3 partners and a live podcast station.
Mar 11
Agave Events hosted by UC Merced (March 17-18, 2026)
Join us for two agave events this week, hosted by UC Merced. First, on March 17th, join researchers for "From Monterrey to Merced - Agave Research & Academic Collaboration with Tecnológico de Monterrey", then on March 18th, join a public 21+ only event at UC Merced on Main: "Beyond Spirits: Agave as a Source of Knowledge and Benefits"
Mar 9
Ag Bag Events are Back this Semester at UC Merced
Ag Bag gatherings are back at UC Merced this semester, creating space for faculty, staff, graduate students, and post-docs to come together and strengthen the agricultural research community on campus. Join the next Ag Bag on Thursday, March 5, with a focus on “Environmental Stressors & Resilience in Agricultural Systems.”
Feb 27
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
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