F3 Local

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.

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National Farmers Market Week

It’s National Farmers Market Week (August 3-9, 2025)! The Central Valley is overflowing with fresh, locally-grown melons, peaches, nectarines, plums, berries, grapes, apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, radishes, and more. Visit your local farmers market this week and every week to taste the bounty!

Aug 4

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

Central Valley Watermelon Tasting

Sherman Produce Market is hosting its 2nd Annual Central Valley Watermelon Tasting on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 1062 Martin Ave, Fresno, CA 93706. This free, family-friendly event will bring the community together to celebrate the rich agricultural heritage of the Central Valley, featuring locally grown melons, exciting entertainment, and activities.

Jul 18

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

SF-ADAPT Meeting Features CoolVeg Innovation for Small Farms

SF-ADAPT hosted its second meeting - this time bringing together Central Valley farmers and agricultural professionals for a deep dive into CoolVeg - an evaporative cooling solution tailored to small-scale operations.

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 2

SF-ADAPT Second Meeting

Join us for a special session with Dr. Eric Verploegen, lead of the CoolVeg project, as he presents an innovative, low-cost cold storage solution for fruits and vegetables.

Jun 23

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 20

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 6

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 29

Organic Stone Fruit Jubilee (June 28)

The Organic Stone Fruit Jubilee is Back! Join us on Saturday, June 28 at the Kingsburg Historical Park for one of the most delicious events of the summer.

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 23

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 23

Central Valley Food Business Survey

The University of California ANR and F3 Local offer free support to local food businesses and small farmers in the Central Valley. They would like to hear from you about what your food business needs are. Take the survey by May 13th!

May 1

'Fiesta Friday' Celebrates Culture, Community, & Local Food Vendors

Cultiva La Salud hosted its first Fiesta Friday event in honor of Cesar Chavez Day at the future site of the Community Kitchen in Central Fresno. The parking lot was transformed into a vibrant gathering place filled with delicious food, music, and community. The event was a show of support for local entrepreneurs working hard to build thriving street food businesses.

Apr 10

SF-ADAPT Hosts First Informational Session

F3 Local hosted the first informational session of SF-ADAPT (Small Farm Alliance to Develop Appropriate Technology). This launch meeting brought together a diverse group of small-scale farmers, engineers, researchers, and ag professionals to begin building a shared vision for more accessible, affordable, and practical technology that meets the real needs of California’s small farms.

Apr 3