Agricultural Operations

Agricultural Operations (Ag Ops) is a large, diversified ranching and farming support department within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES).  Ag Operations encompasses Cal Poly's 6000-plus acres of farming and ranching operations, which include Peterson, Serrano, Escuela, Walters and Chorro Creek Ranches. Ag Ops also supports the college's Swanton Pacific Ranch, comprised of an additional 3,300 acres. 

Specialized academic learning facilities supported by Ag Ops include the Equine Center, Beef Cattle Evaluation Center, Rodeo Unit, Dairy Science, Swine Center, Poultry Center, Sheep Unit, Beef Center, and Horticulture & Crop Science Units.

These specialized academic learning facilities provide:

•  An extension of the classroom for faculty to bring to life Cal Poly's renowned Learn by Doing teaching philosophy and for students to put to practice what is taught in the classroom through outdoor lab experiences, enterprise projects, senior projects, and co-curricular activities;
• A place to conduct applied, agriculturally related research in support of faculty, senior projects and graduate students; and
• A place to demonstrate principles and new technologies of modern agricultural practices to industry partners and others through events such as short courses and field days.