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UC Davis expertise

Agriculture is in our roots—it's who we are.

Our agriculture program is among the best in the country and has been for decades. There is no better place for you to gain the educational experience you need to be successful in the food and agricultural industry.

Why UC Davis?

We first opened our doors in 1908 as the University Farm, the research and science-based instruction extension of UC Berkeley. As the century evolved, our mission expanded beyond agriculture to match a larger understanding of how we should be serving the public. By 1959, UC Davis had grown into a general campus with its own personality and strengths.

Over the years, as our geographical footprint developed, each new UC Davis presence—in Tahoe, Sacramento, Bodega Bay, Tulare, San Diego, San Francisco, Chile and China, to name a few—has strengthened our ability to serve the public through research, academics and public service.

Today, our talented students are more likely to collaborate than compete—interdisciplinary teamwork is the name of the game. This friendly approach has led to an incredibly rich campus community that turns big ideas into real solutions for the food and agriculture industry. There are over 60 research centers, institutes and programs at UC Davis focused on food and agricultural practices.

#1

national university for agriculture

15

departments in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

60+

centers and institutes in food systems

350+

UC Davis scholars focused on food

3,000+

acres of on-campus agricultural research and teaching space

8,000+

UC Davis students enrolled in agricultural degree programs, including over 1,000 graduate students

 

Campus Collaborations

UC Davis College of Agriculture & Environmental Science

Dedicated to solving real-world problems in the agricultural, environmental, and human sciences to produce a better world, healthier lives, and an improved standard of living for everyone. Ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 2 in the world for agricultural sciences. Visit website

UC Davis World Food Center 

Ranging from policy, literacy, and community development to agtech, sustainability, and nutrition, UC Davis' food and ag centers are developing innovative solutions to the grand challenges facing our planet. The UC Davis World Food Center serves as a portal to the talent at these center and maintains a detailed archive of their leadership and staff, projects, and publications. Visit website

UC Davis Wine Executive Program

A partnership between the Graduate School of Management and Department of Viticulture and Enology, this premier program blends the art and business of winemaking. More than 1,000 wine industry executives have attended this unique and informative program over the past 20-plus years. Participants develop relationships with other key wine industry leaders that continue long after the program ends. Visit website

Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Through multiple programs, workshops, academies, events and other collaborations, the Institute help researchers find a path to commercialization—and help students develop the entrepreneurial mindset needed to solve our world’s challenging social and economic problems. The Institute's Big Bang! Business Competition invites food and ag related new ventures to enter and awards specific prize money to the top food and ag startup. Visit website

UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and Health

Accelerating innovation for food and health, the Institute aims to—with its partners—bridge this gap between research and commercialization by facilitating innovation through programming in three key program areas:  use-inspired research, talent development, and market discovery. UC Davis MBAs team up with the Institute to conduct market research for potential food and ag products. Visit website

AI Institute for Food Systems

The Artificial Intelligence Institute for Next Generation Food Systems (AIFS) aims to solve the world’s biggest challenges to crop and food production facing our planet: ensuring a sustainable, nutritious, efficient, and safe food supply while mitigating the impacts of climate change. Visit website

Food Loss and Waste Collaborative

UC Davis is committed to reducing food loss and waste to meet future needs and to limit environmental impacts. With a first-of-its-kind, university-based research program, the collaborative is focused on developing solutions to reduce losses throughout the entire food life-cycle. Visit website

Student Clubs

Featured UC Davis Food & Ag Research News

Feeding a Growing Population