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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Case Study Evaluation for the F3 Initiative. Click here to learn more.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
VINE Connect Field Day at UC Merced (September 17)
On September 17, VINE Connect Field Day will take place at the UC Merced Experimental Smart Farm. This farmer-focused event offers a hands-on opportunity to see cutting-edge agricultural technologies in action, live and in the field.
Aug 13
F3 Initiative - Quarter 1 2025 Summary
The 2025 Q1 Summary includes a snapshot of recent impact and activities across the F3 Initiative and its partners, including jobs, investments, accomplishments, and success stories from three gears: F3 Local, AgTEC Workforce, and F3 Innovate.
Jul 28
F3 R&D Spotlight Video: Citrus Harvester at Fresno State
At Fresno State, mechanical engineering students are developing a high-efficiency citrus fruit harvester that’s breaking new ground in agtech. Watch and learn more about this F3-funded innovation happening right here in our own backyard!
Jul 25
F3i.org Publishes New Website
F3 Innovate (F3i), a 501(c)(3) organization serving as the nation's hub for agriculture technology and engineering, launched its new website at: f3i.org.
Jul 16
F3 Innovate Launches Innovation Grant Program
F3 Innovate (F3i) announced the opening of applications for its inaugural Innovation Grant program. The initiative will award up to $200,000 across 4-12 projects this Fall, to accelerate transformative agriculture and food technologies toward commercial adoption.
Jul 15
F3 R&D Spotlight Video: Jujube and the Pits
Meet Jujube and the Pits, a team of mechanical engineering students from UC Merced who teamed up with UCANR to take on a unique challenge...designing a machine to efficiently pit a lesser-known fruit grown here in the Valley: jujubes!
Jul 8
VINE Connect Field Day Showcases Real-World Agtech Solutions
Nearly 100 growers, researchers, and ag professionals gathered at the UC ANR West Side Research & Extension Center in Fresno County for the latest VINE Connect Field Day—an immersive, hands-on agtech showcase.
Jul 1
From Strawberries to Smart Farm: Adamaris Alvarez Grows Passion into a Career Path
Adamaris Alvarez grew up farming berries on her family’s farm in Watsonville — now she’s helping cultivate the future of agriculture. She’s the first in her family to graduate college and the first person to complete Merced College’s F3 AgTEC certificate program.
Jun 19
F3 Innovate Signs MOU with Queensland Horticulture
F3 Innovate signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration between Queensland's horticulture sector. The partnership is an exciting opportunity to share grower expertise, pressure-test new technologies, stand up joint field trials and open new pathways.
Jun 8
F3 Featured on Marketplace - National Radio Show
The F3 Initiative is proud to be featured in a four-part series on Marketplace & Marketplace Tech - national radio shows/podcasts that feature daily business news and economic stories. The series, which aired May 20–22 and June 6, shines a spotlight on the collaborative work happening across California’s Central Valley to transform the future of food and agriculture.
Jun 5
Apply for the VINE Connect Field Program
Applications are open for VINE Connect’s next cohort, focused on soil health in California row crops. This three-month program is built for agtech startups with market ready solutions that are looking for real world validation, deeper grower engagement, and a path to scaling in California.
May 28
F3 Spotlight: Luis Elizondo of Madera's Queen Honey
Watch our spotlight video on Luis Elizondo, owner of Madera’s Queen Honey and board member of F3 Innovate. Luis is a business owner, family man, and an advocate for small farmers and sustainable agriculture in California’s Central Valley.
May 22
Brookings Publishes an In-Depth Case Study on the F3 Initiative
The Brookings Institution published a new in-depth case study spotlighting the F3 Initiative as a national example of how federal investment can drive inclusive, tech-forward regional economic transformation.
May 22
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