$1.5M to Specialty Crop Research

The University of California, Riverside has received $1.5 million in grants from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to lead three pioneering projects aimed at transforming California’s specialty crop sector. Each initiative is designed to educate students and support underserved farmers while promoting sustainability and innovation in agriculture.

The first project, "Seeding Success," focuses on youth engagement, aiming to build a resilient agricultural workforce through labs and internships. The second project, "Closing the Loop," tackles sustainable waste management by converting agricultural waste into valuable soil amendments. Lastly, "Sustainable Citrus" works to optimize controlled-environment agriculture, improving disease-free plant quality and energy efficiency for citrus nursery growers.

All three projects are connected via LabtoFarm.org, a digital platform that bridges research and practical application.