August 2026: Working Together to Advance Ag Tech

Innovation in agriculture doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes collaboration between researchers, industry, entrepreneurs, growers, and organizations with the resources and expertise to turn ideas into practical solutions.

At Fresno State, the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) and the Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center work alongside one another to support innovation in the Central Valley. While CIT focuses on irrigation research, testing, and technology evaluation, the WET Center helps entrepreneurs and emerging companies access resources, expertise, mentorship, and connections that can help bring new technologies to market.

 

 

Connecting Research, Technology & Industry

CIT and the WET Center share a common goal: supporting the development and adoption of technologies that address real-world challenges in agriculture.

CIT provides a unique environment for irrigation research, field studies, equipment testing, and technical evaluation. Our laboratories and field sites allow technologies and products to be evaluated in practical conditions, generating data that can help researchers, manufacturers, and growers make informed decisions.

The WET Center complements this work by supporting entrepreneurs and ventures working in agriculture, water, energy, and related industries. Through programs such as Valley Ventures and the Technology Innovation Evaluation (TIE) Program, the WET Center helps connect innovators with resources and industry expertise.

 

From Innovation to the Field

One of the most important steps in developing an agricultural technology is moving from an idea or prototype to something that can be tested in real-world conditions.

The WET Center’s Technology Evaluation, Support and Testing (TEST) Program recognizes the importance of testing, pilot demonstrations, and validation in helping technologies become market-ready. Its location in the Central Valley provides access to an agricultural environment where emerging technologies can be demonstrated across different crops, soils, and growing conditions.

This is where collaboration with CIT can be particularly valuable. CIT’s research expertise, laboratories, instrumentation, and field capabilities can help provide the technical evaluation and data needed to understand how irrigation and agricultural technologies perform.

 

Building a Stronger Ag-Tech Ecosystem

Together, CIT and the WET Center contribute to Fresno State’s broader role in advancing innovation in the Central Valley. The WET Center’s mission is to empower the region’s food, energy, and agriculture industries through access to innovative research, resources, and industry expertise.

For CIT, collaboration creates opportunities to connect research and testing with the innovators developing the next generation of agricultural technologies. For entrepreneurs and industry partners, it creates pathways to move promising ideas closer to real-world application.

Why it matters: Agriculture needs technologies that are not only innovative, but also practical, reliable, and ready to work in the field. By working together, CIT and the WET Center help strengthen the connection between innovation, testing, and adoption. Supporting a more efficient and sustainable future for agriculture in the Central Valley and beyond.

 

Looking Ahead

As agricultural technology continues to evolve, collaboration will remain essential. CIT and the WET Center are proud to be part of Fresno State’s innovation ecosystem and to help create opportunities where research, entrepreneurship, and industry can come together.

We look forward to continuing to work together to advance the technologies shaping the future of agriculture.

 

Stay Connected

We invite you to stay connected with CIT by following our updates, exploring our research and testing services, and reaching out to learn more about collaboration opportunities.

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