The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Main Units and Facilities
Jordan Agricultural Research Center
As the flagship university in the top agricultural region in the world, Fresno State is a fitting home for a world-class research center to discover and investigate the most advanced concepts and practices of agriculture, food and natural resources. Opened in 2016, the 30,000-square-foot Jordan Agricultural Research Center fosters collaboration between some of the brightest minds in agriculture, engineering, science and mathematics.
University Agricultural Laboratory
Opportunities abound to learn science, technology and management not just in the classroom, but by experience – on our 1,000-acre University Agricultural Laboratory located adjacent to the north edge of campus. The farm laboratory features 120 acres of wine, table and raisin grapes, with some varieties used for faculty and student-led research projects. Many students gain employment on the university farm as field technicians or as research assistants.
The campus farm also includes 250 acres of stone, citrus and nut orchards, 80 acres of vegetable crops and 150 acres of field crops (that produce our state-wide renowned sweet corn), as well as a horticulture unit, organic research and production plot, greenhouse and tissue culture laboratory.
The on-campus animal units for beef, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, sheep and quarter horses are managed 24/7 by students, staff and faculty, and many of their products are processed on campus by students in our nationally-respected dairy, creamery and meats lab.
All of these facilities provide excellent opportunities for students to get out of the classroom and into the “field” to gain real-world workplace and career experience.
Gibson Farm Market
The Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market is a unique Fresno State enterprise offering food and horticulture products produced on the university’s own campus farm. Among the most popular market products are fresh summer sweet corn; Fresno State ice cream, cheese and milk; beef and pork products; almonds; grapes; and wine from the Fresno State Winery. The products have been either grown, packaged, and/or processed by Fresno State and its students. A $1.2 million donation made by benefactor Joyce Mae Gibson in 2011 enabled construction of the building, as well as improved equipment. Students in our food, science and nutrition department and our food processing laboratory create, test and market fresh products year-round that they produce on campus.
Agricultural Sciences Building
The Agricultural Sciences Building is the administrative hub for the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Located near the center of the Fresno State campus, it houses the dean’s office and staff; a dozen “smart classrooms” and teaching laboratories dedicated to agriculture and related disciplines; a central computer lab available to students; a large theater-style classroom for faculty, staff and student assemblies; a central open courtyard with garden areas and tables for students to meet and relax; and JCAST department and faculty offices.
Graduate Laboratory
Located on the northeast edge of the main Fresno State campus, the Graduate Laboratory provides students, faculty, and staff with an array of sophisticated equipment along with technical support for both undergraduate and graduate-level education and research. Within the facility are several smaller labs: They include a main analytics lab for general laboratory work such as plant, soil and water analysis. Other units are a plant science lab for conducting plant tissue analysis; the animal science lab for research such as SEM sample preparation and special projects; a media preparation lab for preparing microbiological media and other chemical solutions; and a soils lab for assaying soil chemical components, moisture and other characteristics.
Ag One
Ag One is a key administrative unit serving Fresno State’s Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. It all began in 1979 when several faculty, alumni and friends of the college had a million-dollar idea – to start a foundation that would benefit, promote and support the college and its programs. The supporters set out to raise $1 million in endowed scholarships. Today, the Ag One Foundation has raised more than $26.7 million in endowed funds. Over the years, donors, board members and volunteers have made it possible to award some 4,800 students with more than $7.6 million in scholarships and grants. Today, Ag One annually provides nearly $1 million annually to deserving students and programs. It is guided by an enthusiastic board of directors comprised of JCAST alumni and friends. Ag One offices are located on the northeast border of the Fresno State campus at Chestnut and Barstow avenues.
Ag Operations Facility
Fresno State’s Agricultural Operations facility is comprised of offices, machine shops and a large yard area where it stores, maintains, services and repairs all vehicles, equipment and machinery for the Fresno State campus. Located along the northern border of the campus, the facility’s agriculture division alone maintains more than 300 trucks, tractors, loaders, spray rigs, trailers, attachments and equipment pieces of all kinds. The Farm Machinery Center includes the campus fuel station, providing fuel for the University fleet. The Agricultural Operations manager is responsible for day-to-day maintenance and operational support of the University Agricultural Laboratory (UAL), which includes the 1,000-acre campus farm.
Other Areas
Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education
Food Science and Nutrition
Industrial Technology
Viticulture and Enology
Water and Irrigation
California Agricultural Technology Institute
Creamery
Horticulture Nursery
Livestock Units
Vineyard
Wiinery
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