Department of Plant Science

Smart Farm University

The project aims to provide education, training or assistance to farmers, ranchers and foresters throughout the Central Valley by hosting a series of monthly workshops on varying topics.

The workshops are at no cost and open to participants with: no experience, “beginning farmers”, small or medium scale farmers, and already operating farmers.

The workshops intend to focus on agricultural business, conservation, or technology; with the goal of promoting business growth and development of new market opportunities.

The workshops will consist of classes on topics such as (but not limited to):

Business Planning
Capital / Funding Opportunities
Irrigation and SGMA
Equipment Planning
Agricultural Technology
Crop Selection and Improvements
Soil Health and Pest Management
Conventional vs. Organic
CalOSHA and Food Safety
Taxation and Recordkeeping
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP’s)

Registering for a monthly workshop series allows the attendee access to one-on-one technical assistance resources, ease-of-access to applicable information, or an introduction to a network of different industry experts.

If you would like more general information, feel free to complete form linked below:

Interest Form Sign up for the Project Newsletter

July Workshop Series

Triple F Ranch & Farming Forest

July 31, 2026 | 2pm - 3pm

A conversation with Richard Felipe; a fourth-generation farmer from Hanford, California who over the past four years has eliminated all synthetic inputs on his 200-acre pistachio ranch. He'll share why they transitioned to regenerative farming and the challenges faced along the way.

Richard Felipe
Owner/Farmer

August Educational Workshops

USDA Risk Management Agency

August 06, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Learn how the Risk Management Agency (RMA) can assist with tools to safeguard your farm against the financial impacts of unexpected crop losses and market drops. Attend this educational workshop to see how affordable crop insurance policies can protect your bottom line.

Jaime Valdovinos
Risk Management Specialist
jaime.valdovinos@usda.gov

USDA Farm Service Agency

August 13, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Learn how the Farm Service Agency (FSA) can fuel your agriculture business by providing vital farm loans, disaster relief funding, and conservation rewards. Attend this educational workshop to meet your local team and learn how to secure the financial support and stability your farm needs to thrive.

Laura J. Westerfield
Acting Farm Loan Manager
California-District 3
Fresno-Tulare-Kings
laura.westerfield@usda.gov

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

August 20, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Learn how the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) can help you grow your business by opening doors to new domestic and international markets. Attend this educational workshop to learn how their grant programs can boost the value and visibility of your products.

Melissa Nicks
Deputy Director (Acting)
Grants Division
Agricultural Marketing Service
Melissa.Nicks@usda.gov

September Educational Workshops

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch (Virtual)

September 03, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Discover the vital work of the Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch (MPES) and see how we keep California’s vibrant food scene safe, fresh, and thriving! We invite you to explore our unique role in supporting local agricultural businesses, from small-scale poultry farms to custom livestock processors that fall outside of federal oversight.

Tyler D. Hinson
Environmental Scientist
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch
Tyler.Hinson@cdfa.ca.gov

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Division

September 10, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Discover the vital work of the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Division (CPDPD) and see how we protect California’s iconic citrus trees from devastating threats! We invite you to explore our dedicated efforts to combat dangerous pests and diseases like the Asian citrus psyllid, which threaten both commercial groves and backyard trees.

Rath Kiry Ryan Siv
Environmental Scientist
California Department of Food and Agriculture
rathkiry.siv@cdfa.ca.gov

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS)

September 17, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Discover the vital work of the Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) and see how we are building a thriving future for California’s farmers and ranchers! Formerly known as the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI), we invite you to explore our science-driven solutions designed to help family farms conquer natural resource challenges like drought and extreme heat.

Scott Weeks
Senior Environmental Scientist
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Scott.Weeks@cdfa.ca.gov

Harsimran Gill
Senior Environmental Scientist
California Department of Food and Agriculture
harsimran.gill@cdfa.ca.gov

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Healthy Soils Program (HSP)

September 24, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Discover the vital work of the Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and see how we are transforming California’s farm landscapes from the ground up! We invite you to explore our ground-breaking financial incentives that reward farmers, ranchers, and Native American tribes for adopting climate-smart conservation practices.

Juan Gonzales
Community Education Specialist
Climate Smart Agriculture
jpgonzales@ucanr.edu

October Educational Workshops

Soil Health Bottom Line Program

October 08, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Discover how the Soil Health Bottom Line Program is transforming California agriculture by making sustainable farming highly profitable! [cite: 110] We invite you to explore how our financial incentives, expert technical guidance, and advanced economic tools help local growers successfully transition to regenerative practices. [cite: 111] See firsthand how we empower farmers to boost their crop yields by up to 22%, build powerful climate resilience, and secure a thriving financial future for their land.

Paul Lum
Senior Agricultural Specialist
American Farmland Trust
plum@farmland.org

Soil Health in the Central Valley

October 15, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Discover the latest breakthroughs in Central Valley soil health and learn how to maximize your land's earning potential at our upcoming educational workshop! [cite: 119] We invite you to explore regional data, connect with local agronomy experts, and master practical techniques tailored specifically to the unique growing conditions of the Valley. [cite: 120] See firsthand how implementing advanced soil management strategies can drastically improve your water retention, shield your crops against extreme weather, and significantly boost your operation's bottom line.

Jessie Kanter
Sierra Resource Conservation District
jkanter@sierrarcd.com

Restoring Pollinator Habitat on Farms

October 22, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Learn how native hedgerows support pollinators, improve biodiversity, and promote healthier, more resilient farming systems. [cite: 127] The workshop includes a field visit to the Fresno State Horticulture Unit to explore a recently established native hedgerow.

Husandeep Singh
Agriculture and Rangeland Community Projects Manager
Sierra Resource Conservation District
hsingh@sierrarcd.com

November Educational Workshops

(Virtual) USDA Veteran's Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program

November 05, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Discover how the USDA Veteran Farmer and Rancher benefits are clearing a direct path for military veterans to successfully transition into a rewarding new career in agriculture! [cite: 136] We invite you to explore how your unique military skillset translates into farming and ranching through specialized training networks, low-interest loan programs, and priority access to capital. [cite: 137] See firsthand how working with a dedicated state coordinator can connect your operation with targeted grant preferences, increased conservation cost-share rates, and powerful crop insurance premium reductions-ensuring you never have to navigate the transition alone.

Brooke Raffaele
Communications & Outreach Coordinator
USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coordinator- California
Brooke.Raffaele@usda.gov

Natural Resources Conservation Service- NRCS

November 12, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Discover how the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is helping American farmers and ranchers put practical, producer-centered conservation solutions to work! [cite: 146] We invite you to explore our historic motto, "Keeping Working Lands in Working Hands," and see how our tailored technical support and cost-share financial assistance programs can strengthen your specific operation. [cite: 147] See firsthand how working with a trusted, boots-on-the-ground partner can help you reduce input costs, maximize your yields, and preserve the natural resources that secure your land's long-term profitability.

Erwin Dueñas
District Conservationist
Erwin.Duenas@usda.gov

(Virtual) Boots to Roots

November 19, 2026 | 3pm - 4pm

Discover how Boots to Roots is empowering military veterans to restore American rangelands while building deeply purposeful new careers! [cite: 154] We invite you to explore our unique hands-on training, mentorship pathways, and national network dedicated to regenerative grazing and adaptive land management. [cite: 155] See firsthand how transitioning service members use livestock operations to heal degraded soils, boost landscape resilience against drought and wildfire, and lead the next generation of ecological land stewardship.

Angela Czaja
Founder & CEO
angela@bootstoroots.org

Eric Czaja
MAJ, Special Forces
United States Army
Naval Postgraduate School
Faculty, Defense Analysis
eric.czaja@nps.edu

If you choose to register, you will be automatically enrolled into all workshops.

All in-person workshops held at:

Center for Irrigation Technology
5370 N Chestnut Ave, Fresno, CA 93740

Contact

Juan Jose Rodriguez

Make an Appointment

Juan Jose Rodriguez
Project Manager
juan_rodriguez@mail.fresnostate.edu
559.278.4860