Key Takeaways:
- California Jobs First awards $9.2 million to Merced AgTech Alliance, the state’s largest agtech investment to date
- Initiative expected to create 3,000 jobs, support 100+ startups, and provide 250 internships
- Flagship projects include Merced College AgTech Innovation Center, UC Merced AgTech Barn, and Reservoir Farms
- Public-private partnership brings together 40+ industry leaders including John Deere, Blue Diamond Almonds, and Gallo
- Goal: establish Central Valley as a global hub for agtech innovation and modern food systems
California Jobs First Fuels AgTech Growth in Central Valley
The Merced AgTech Alliance has received a $9.2 million award from California Jobs First, marking the largest agtech-focused investment in the state’s history. The initiative aims to create more than 3,000 jobs, support over 100 startups, and offer 250 internships for underserved populations in California’s Central Valley.
Stephanie Dietz, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Merced County, called the investment “a turning point for our region,” emphasizing that the initiative would bring lasting opportunities to rural communities.
Three Flagship Projects
The funding will launch three interconnected efforts designed to modernize food systems and strengthen agricultural innovation:
- Merced College AgTech Innovation Center: Workforce development and training for careers in smart farming and agricultural technology.
- UC Merced AgTech Barn: Research and skills development to advance next-generation agricultural innovation.
- Reservoir Farms: Startup incubation, beta testing, and on-farm profitability support for entrepreneurs.
Chris Vitelli, President of Merced College, highlighted the importance of the investment: “By accelerating workforce development and transformative technology advances in agriculture, we are building a more equitable and prosperous future for the people of the Valley and beyond.”
Addressing Regional Challenges
The investment comes as the Central Valley faces unemployment levels nearly double the state average. By fostering job creation, training talent, and supporting entrepreneurs, the Merced AgTech Alliance seeks to enhance economic resilience and on-farm profitability in a region central to California’s permanent crop production.
Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Chancellor of UC Merced, noted: “This investment positions UC Merced as a driver of research and real-world solutions for California agriculture. Together, we’re building a resilient, technology-driven agricultural economy that will benefit communities, growers and the state for generations to come.”
Broad Public-Private Partnership
The Merced AgTech Alliance is supported by more than 40 partners, including John Deere, Blue Diamond Almonds, Gallo, Western Growers, and the Merced County Farm Bureau. Danny Bernstein, CEO of the Reservoir, compared the effort to Silicon Valley’s rise in technology, saying the Central Valley is poised to become “the next epicenter of breakthrough ideas, high-growth startups, and transformative economic impact.”
