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F3i Launches Supercomputing Center at Fresno State: Learn more & access the portal
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.
Researchers Launch Project to Bring Light-Tuning Materials to Central Valley Greenhouses
UC Merced researchers are launching a project that could change how Central Valley growers harness the sun’s energy, using a family of light-active molecules developed at the university to design smarter agricultural greenhouses.
Aug 25
F3i Supercomputing Center Webinar
Join us for an introductory webinar on September 10 to learn how to use the F3i Supercomputing Center. Learn how startups, agricultural companies, researchers and students can use the Center for projects involving artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analysis, modeling, simulation and other computationally intensive work.
Aug 19
Ag Bags are Back at UC Merced
Join VISTA and the F3 Initiative on Tuesday, September 8, from 12:00–1:00 PM for our first Ag Bag gathering of the semester, focused on Sustainable Dairy Systems: Innovation for California’s Future.
Aug 11
F3i Supercomputing Center Launch (Video)
Watch the recap video of the official launch event of the F3i Supercomputing Center, a first-of-its-kind regional resource designed to accelerate artificial intelligence, data science, and advanced computing for California’s food, agriculture, and life sciences industries.
Aug 5
UC Merced Researchers Transform Sunlight into Opportunity for Agriculture
Researchers at UC Merced are launching an exciting new project to develop light-tuning materials that could improve greenhouse efficiency for Central Valley growers. The team is designing innovative materials that convert ultraviolet light into wavelengths that better support plant growth while protecting greenhouse structures.
Jul 18
F3i AI Launchpad - Workshop for Educators
Local educators are invited to participate in the F3i AI Launchpad Educator Workshop, a paid, two-day professional development experience - in partnership with Microsoft - to equip teachers with the knowledge, curriculum, and tools needed to bring practical AI education into their classrooms.
Jul 17
F3i Launches Supercomputing Center to Bring Advanced Computing to California Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences
Last week, the F3i Supercomputing Center launched at Fresno State, bringing together leaders from agriculture, government, higher education, technology, research, and philanthropy to mark a significant investment in the future of California’s food and agriculture economy. Learn more and access the Supercomputing portal.
Jul 14
Fox 26: New AI supercomputer launches at Fresno State to help farmers make faster decisions
FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A new supercomputing hub is set to launch in the Central Valley, aiming to bring advanced computing power and artificial intelligence tools to the region’s food and agriculture industry.
Jul 11
F3i Announces Innovation Grant Recipients
F3i has selected its second cohort of Innovation Grant recipients. Grants were awarded from $20,000 to $50,000 (totaling $250,000 across 7 companies), to fund what moves each technology forward — field validation, customer testing, and real deployment with growers. These seven companies are working on the problems that define agriculture in the Central Valley including water, soil health, methane, labor, and crop disease.
Jun 27
Request for Proposals: Biotechnology Workforce Development and Industry Engagement Initiative
The F3 Partner Integration Project seeks proposals from qualified applicants to advance a fermentation-focused biotechnology workforce and partner integration initiative in the Central Valley that supports both workforce development and industry engagement. Proposals are due by July 12, 2026.
Jun 16
Join the Launch of the Central Valley Supercomputing Center
On July 9, Join leaders from across the region to celebrate the launch of the Central Valley's first-ever supercomputing center. Join us for the launch of the F3i Supercomputing Center, a new resource that gives Central Valley growers, startups, researchers, educators, and students access to advanced computing and AI tools.
Jun 16
F3i Launches Free "AI For Good" Summer Sprint for Central Valley High School Students
F3 Innovate, in partnership with Microsoft, is now accepting student applications for the AI Launchpad Summer Intensive, running July 6–17. This free, hands-on program designed to introduce Central Valley students to the world of artificial intelligence and data science.
Jun 15
F3i Orchard Stress Data Challenge Winners Announced
F3 Innovate has announced the winners of its Orchard Stress Data Challenge, a competition that brought together students and researchers to apply data science and artificial intelligence to one of agriculture's most important challenges: helping growers better understand orchard health and stress.
Jun 9
F3i TerraTech Intern Spotlight
After a planned study-abroad program was canceled, Erick began looking for a way to stay engaged over the summer. What started as a last-minute decision became a meaningful introduction to a different side of agriculture through TerraTech and his internship with Eco2Mix.
Jun 5
F3i Webinar: Building a Global Hub for Agriculture and Food Innovation in California’s Central Valley
On June 2 at 11:00am, join the next Building Better Regions Community of Practice webinar to hear how F3i is building a regional model that connects growers, startups, universities, workforce partners, investors, and public agencies to solve real-world agricultural challenges through practical, scalable innovation.
May 29
F3i Launches AI Launchpad with Microsoft
F3 Innovate (F3i) announced a new partnership with Microsoft to launch AI Launchpad, an education and workforce development program designed to equip high school and community college students across California’s Central Valley with foundational skills in artificial intelligence, data science, and cloud computing.
May 20
Video: Ag Day at Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Ag Day at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo was a wonderful opportunity for F3 to connect with local families and share the many ways people can get involved in the future of agriculture, food, and innovation in the Central Valley.
May 11
Student Spotlight: Julianne Luna
Julianne Luna, a junior at Sanger High School, turned her curiosity for clean water innovation into the top placing project at the Fresno County Science Fair, and it focused on a bio absorbent used for selective removal of pollution in contaminated water sources.
May 7
F3i Data Challenge #2: Satellite-Based Orchard Stress Mapping
Registration is open for F3 Innovate's Data Challenge #2: Satellite-Based Orchard Stress Mapping, a competitive four-week AI code sprint open to university teams and individual technologists. The challenge launched on April 13 with a virtual kickoff webinar, and the submission deadline is May 8. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams!
Apr 21
F3i TerraTech Summer Internship Opportunity
F3 Innovate is now accepting applications for TerraTech26, a paid summer internship program that gives students the opportunity to work on real-world projects shaping the future of food and agriculture. Running from June 1 to August 7, 2026, TerraTech places interns directly within industry partner organizations, where they contribute to meaningful, project-based work. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis through May 1, 2026.
Apr 15
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