F3 News & Updates
FALL 2024
Welcome to the very first F3 Initiative newsletter! We’re excited to launch this new way of sharing quarterly updates, stories, and successes with you. Be sure to watch our new explainer video below to learn how F3 is transforming the future of agriculture, and scroll to explore the latest news from each of our gears: F3 Local, AgTEC Workforce, and F3 Innovate.
Empowering Small Farms, Fostering Innovation, & Growing Communities.
Central Valley Flavor Fest:
October 22, 2024 | River Park
The inaugural Central Valley Flavor Fest, hosted by F3 Local, celebrates the region’s locally grown jujubes with delicious treats and a vibrant farmers market. Learn more about this exciting new event and how F3 Local is spotlighting our region’s specialty foods.
Building Community Through Food
The St. Rest + Food To Share Hub, supported by the F3 Initiative, is becoming a vital resource for Southwest Fresno. Recently, the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) hosted a Council of Business Sponsors event at the Hub, where attendees enjoyed a delicious menu from local food vendors and explored the Hub’s expanding role in food distribution and community engagement.
Local Businesses Awarded CDFA 'Farm to School' Grants
With the support of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and F3 Local, five Central Valley farm businesses have been awarded CDFA Farm to School grants totaling $1.8 million as part of California’s innovative Farm to School Incubator Grant Program. This funding will help local farmers deliver fresh, healthy, and locally-sourced produce to schools across the Valley.
Celebrating F3 with CVCF's
Friends of the Foundation
On Wednesday, September 19, the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) hosted the Friends of the Foundation event at the beautiful Evanelle Vineyards in Madera. This event highlighted the vital connection between the local agricultural community and the work being done through F3 to transform the Valley’s food systems.
Developing a skilled workforce pipeline for sustainable food production and manufacturing.
AgTEC Cohorts Launch at Four Community Colleges
The AgTEC Workforce Initiative is excited to announce the launch of four new Ag Systems Certificate programs this fall at Reedley, Lemoore, Coalinga, and Merced community colleges. These programs are designed to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving agricultural industry. In total, over 100 students are enrolled with additional cohorts set to launch in the spring.
AgTEC Workforce Industry Breakfast
The AgTEC Workforce Industry Breakfast, held on Monday, September 16, 2024, at Pardini’s in Fresno, brought together key industry leaders and community college representatives to celebrate the successful collaboration that has brought the AgTEC Workforce curriculum to life.
LA Times Highlights AgTEC Workforce
The AgTEC Workforce Initiative was recently featured in a Los Angeles Times article published on September 21, 2024, written by Rebecca Plevin. The article, titled “Central Valley Effort Aims to Train Farmworkers to Master the Technology Replacing Fieldwork,” delves into how AgTEC is transforming the agricultural landscape by equipping farmworkers with the skills necessary to thrive in a more technologically advanced industry.
The nation’s hub for climate-smart agrifood technology and engineering.
Priscilla Koepke named CEO of
F3 Innovate
We are thrilled to welcome Priscilla Koepke as the new CEO of F3 Innovate. Priscilla is a visionary leader with over 15 years of experience in technology, public policy, and business. As the founding CEO, she is spearheading efforts to make California’s Central Valley a global leader in sustainable agriculture and pioneering agrifood technology.
Learn more about Priscilla and the new F3 Innovate 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
F3 Innovate Sponsors FIRA USA
F3 Innovate is proud to be a premier sponsor of this year's FIRA USA, the leading Ag Robotics forum, taking place from October 22-24 in Woodland, CA, near Sacramento. With over 2,500 attendees and 35+ autonomous solutions expected, FIRA USA brings together the latest innovations in ag robotics and offers valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders.
Fresno State F3 Innovate Symposium
The F3 Innovate Symposium, held on August 30, 2024, at Fresno State’s Wonderful Conference Room in the Jordan Agricultural Research Center, brought together an impressive lineup of faculty researchers and industry experts. The symposium featured several research presentations, showcasing the vast potential of ag technology.
UC Merced Hosts Justin Tooley from the EDA
In September, UC Merced hosted Justin Tooley, Director of the American Rescue Plan. His visit included a tour of the Experimental Smart Farm, where he was able to see firsthand the technologies that have been acquired through the Build Back Better Region Challenge Grant. These resources, made possible by the US Economic Development Agency’s support, are driving innovative research and creating new opportunities for students.
Read the full article and learn more about Justin Tooley's visit to UC Merced.
