Hands with soil and trays of plants



Emerging technologies have the potential to dramatically reshape the agri-food system. UC Santa Cruz aims to transform agriculture through innovation, education, research, and empowerment. Our interdisciplinary expertise guides engineers, activists, farmers, and others on a path to socially responsible technology for a sustainable future.

Interdisciplinary team wins Small Farm prize in first-ever Farm Robotics Challenge

On the UC Santa Cruz farm, a small self-driving tractor navigates itself over a line of broccoli, avoiding the crops while removing the weeds that may interfere with their growth.

Leaf wetness sensor will enable better plant disease forecasting and management

Plant diseases limit the output of agricultural workers and cause hundreds of billions of dollars in global crop production loss each year.

Food system researcher unpacks the narratives driving a race for new protein sources

UC Santa Cruz professor and food system expert Julie Guthman’s latest paper explores the cultural mythologies around protein.

Integrated expertise

UC Santa Cruz has a long history of leadership in agroecology and sustainable food systems. Our pioneering developments, new technologies, and interdisciplinary collaborations result in meaningful contributions to research and innovation in AgTech.

Aerial view of the farm at UCSC

Agricultural Experiment Station

In November 2022, UC Santa Cruz joined a nationwide, federally funded network of Agricultural Experiment Stations that study potential improvements to food systems and deliver useful innovations to farmers and other stakeholders in agriculture and food production. New state and federal funding through this designation will support more groundbreaking research on our campus, including in AgTech.

UC Santa Cruz’s history in agriculture dates back to 1967. Since then, we have continued to expand and build on the success of our strong educational focus on organic soil management, alternative pest control measures, water conservation, biodiversity, and more recently, innovative agriculture technology.

Last modified: Aug 08, 2024