Key Takeaways
- UC Merced will use $3 million in state funding to build an agricultural technology barn at its Smart Farm.
- The barn will function as a research and development space within UC Merced’s Agriculture Experimentation Station.
- The funding is part of $80 million announced by Governor Gavin Newsom to support 11 projects across California.
- Nearly $29 million of the total is directed toward ag tech and farm equipment initiatives to strengthen workforce development and infrastructure.
- UC Agriculture and Natural Resources received $15 million to establish the California AgTech Alliance.
UC Merced Expands Smart Farm Facilities
UC Merced has been awarded $3 million from the state of California to build a new agricultural technology barn at its Smart Farm. The facility will provide additional space for research and development focused on agricultural innovation and technology.
The award is part of $80 million in funding for 11 projects statewide, announced by Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Jobs First Council.
UC Merced Focus on Research and Workforce Development
Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz said the new facility reflects UC Merced’s commitment to supporting agriculture in the Central Valley through research and collaboration. “This investment positions UC Merced as a driver of research and real-world solutions for California agriculture,” Muñoz said. “We’re excited to work alongside our partners to bring advanced research, collaborative innovation, and workforce development to the heart of the Central Valley.”
Broader Statewide Funding for Ag Tech
Other recipients of the funding include Merced College, which will develop an agricultural technology center, and the Community Foundation of Merced, which received a total of $9.2 million.
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources was awarded $15 million to create the California AgTech Alliance, a network intended to connect regional partners, promote workforce development, and support new business activity in agricultural technology.
Statewide Investment Goals
Governor Newsom said the initiative is intended to strengthen regional economies and support job creation. “These investments will build momentum and deliver measurable progress in the months and years ahead, providing regions in every corner of the state with new tools to create good-paying jobs and strengthen local industries from the ground up,” he said.
For UC Merced, the funding adds capacity to its Smart Farm and supports broader efforts to advance technology-driven agriculture in California.
