Farm research & innovation
Farm Research and Innovation connects growers with researchers and product developers to solve pressing on-farm challenges. The program facilitates field-based testing, collaborative problem-solving, and hands-on training to accelerate the adoption of appropriate solutions.
Who It Serves
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Central Valley farmers facing practical production or sustainability hurdles
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Research institutions and developers working on ag innovations
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Extension agents and farm advisors
Key Features
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Farmer-Led Needs Identification – Gathers data and input from small farmers to define key problems and guide technology development priorities.
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Field Testing & Demonstration – Conducts real-world trials of tools and practices at UC research sites and on working farms, evaluating performance and farmer fit.
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Training & Technical Assistance – Provides hands-on training and educational workshops to support the adoption of new technologies and practices.
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Feedback Loop for Developers – Facilitates structured feedback between farmers and technology developers to refine tools based on actual field use.
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Collaboration with Researchers – Supports cross-sector partnerships between growers, university researchers, and innovators to co-develop solutions.
Partners
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UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)
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UCANR Innovate
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UC Cooperative Extension
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Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (KARE)
Contact
Maria Ridoutt-Orozco
Small Farm Technology Advisor
maria@caff.org
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Santanu Thapa
Research–Industry Liaison Coordinator
sbthapa@ucanr.edu