MERCED, Calif. — Merced College will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the highly anticipated AgTEC Innovation Center, a cutting-edge facility that is a core component of the college’s work to revolutionize agricultural education and workforce development in the Central Valley.
The ceremony, scheduled for April 17 at 10 a.m. on the college’s main campus in Merced (3600 M Street, near the Raj Kahlon Agriculture & Industrial Technology Complex), marks a major milestone in Merced College’s continued commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and providing hands-on, industry-aligned training for students.
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“This is a game-changer for Merced College, our students, and the community,” said Merced College President Chris Vitelli. “The AgTEC Innovation Center will not only prepare students for careers in high-tech agriculture, but will also serve as a hub for industry partnerships and economic development in our region.”
Once completed, the AgTEC Innovation Center will house state-of-the-art facilities designed to support hands-on learning and industry collaboration, including:
* Advanced Processing Equipment – Students will train on cutting-edge nut, fruit, and vegetable processing equipment, as well as meat processing and food safety systems, mirroring real-world agricultural operations.
* Agricultural Research & Development – A nutrition facility and commercial kitchen will support food product innovation and testing.
* Workforce Training Hub – Dedicated spaces for industry-led training, career development, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
* Community Farm Market – A retail storefront where students will gain agribusiness experience while providing fresh, locally grown products to the public.
“This facility represents the future of agricultural education,” said Cody Jacobsen, Director of Ag Innovation at Merced College. “By integrating industry partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and hands-on learning, we’re equipping the next generation of ag professionals with the skills needed to drive the industry forward.”
Funded in part by the Fresno-Merced Future of Food (F3) initiative—along with a $15 million investment from the state made possible by Sen. Anna Caballero—the AgTEC Innovation Center is a key component of Merced College’s broader agricultural expansion, which has garnered national attention.
The facility will complement existing initiatives such as the Reservoir Farms robotics incubator and the college’s expanding role in sustainable, high-tech agriculture. And the college’s innovative Ag Systems Certificate, a competency-based education (CBE) program, has already been recognized as a model for upskilling farm laborers and addressing workforce challenges in agriculture.
“Agriculture is the backbone of California’s economy, and the Central Valley is at the heart of feeding the nation and the world,” Sen. Caballero said. “What’s truly powerful about the Merced College program is that it honors the skills farmworkers already have, offering them college credit for their experience, while providing training in new technologies that make their jobs easier and open the door to higher wages and greater economic success.”
The groundbreaking ceremony will be open to the public, with key stakeholders, industry partners, and local officials in attendance. More details about the event can be found here<https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/68uhjrn/lp/f30af96c-0ad7-4e40-9834-c6dc5592bd23>.
