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Visit our News page for the latest F3 partner events, videos, spotlights, and 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.
Central Valley Food Economy Summit
On October 17, 2025, attendees gathered at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District for the Central Valley Food Economy Summit, hosted by F3 Local. The one-day event, with more than 80 RSVPs, focused on how investments in food industry infrastructure - like shared kitchens and processing centers - can help create a vibrant, resilient, and equitable local economy.
Oct 23
Foodie Fundraising Forum (November 6)
Looking for fundraising tips for your food business? Register for the upcoming Foodie Fundraising Forum on Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 9am - 2pm to equip yourself with the tools, mindset, and strategy to fundraise confidently and sustainably.
Oct 23
Register for the Small Farm Tech Expo (December 2) at UC Merced
Join us for the Small Farm Tech Expo on Monday, December 2 at UC Merced—a hands-on event that showcases what’s possible when technology is designed for and with small farms in mind. Hosted by CAFF with support from the F3 Initiative, this free event will feature live demonstrations, practical workshops, and tech tools tailored to help small farms.
Oct 15
F3 Local Took Center Stage at Terra Madre Americas
Sacramento was buzzing with energy September 26-28, 2025 as over 165,000 attendees from the around the world experienced Terra Madre Americas, an international gathering celebrating food, culture, sustainability, and community. Right at the heart of the action was F3 Local’s vibrant “A Taste of California” Pavilion, which showcased the very best of the Central Valley’s food economy on a global stage.
Oct 13
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
7th Annual Growing Together Small Farms Conference
Calling all Central Valley Farmers and those who serve them! African American Farmers of California and West Fresno Family Resource Center are hosting the 7th Annual Growing Together: Small Farms Conference on September 26th.
Sep 22
Join us at Terra Madre in Sacramento
Join us in Sacramento as we celebrate Central Valley food, culture, and community on an international stage at Terra Madre! Our ‘Taste of California’ pavilion will showcase the diverse flavors, producers, and practices shaping a resilient food system.
Sep 19
SF-ADAPT Quarterly Meeting: Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
Join our next SF-ADAPT (Small Farm Alliance to Develop Appropriate Technology) meeting, taking place on Monday, September 29th at UCCE Merced (2145 Wardrobe Ave.) from 12-2:30 PM. This quarter's topic focuses on water, climate, and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
Sep 14
Sherman Produce Market Receives CDFA Food Hub Planning Grant
Sherman Produce Market, a Black-owned, producer-led food hub in Southwest Fresno, has been selected as one of 12 awardees under the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant Program.
Sep 7
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 3
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 1
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 22
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 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
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
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