Cultivate Spring 2017
Looking to the Future
Dear CAFES Alumni and Friends,
Here on the Central Coast — as with much of the state of California — we are experiencing a true spring after many years. Our hillsides and fields are green, our water reservoirs refilled, and there’s a great energy and sense of purpose as we look ahead.
To celebrate the season, we’ve included in this second issue of Cultivate stories that take a deep look at some of our work and the issues we grapple with throughout the year. We’ve also included a story with input from experts across our industries about the kind of experience and expertise they need from our graduates, both now and into the future.
The renaissance of agriculture is here, at Cal Poly, now. We are positioned to deliver tomorrow’s agricultural leaders today.
With your help, our students graduate ready to meet these global demands. Will they in the future? The answer is yes — if we continue to partner together to provide them the best tools for success.
As always, I appreciate your ongoing support for the college and look forward to hearing from you with any ideas or questions you may have.
Warmest regards,
Andrew J. Thulin | Dean
Features
The challenges posed in the 21st century are many: feeding a growing population with less labor; meeting the demands for more efficient, sustainable production methods; navigating a global marketplace; and fulfilling expectations of a new high-tech generation.
The Cal Poly Strawberry Center has established itself as one of the most respected authorities in strawberry research and pest management.
It is the only organization of its kind, devoted solely to applied research in strawberries, incorporating both teaching and learning experiences for Cal Poly students, faculty and California strawberry farmers.
Three of the four owners of Dust Bowl Brewing Co. in Turlock, California, are Cal Poly graduates. We chat with them about the growing micro-brewing industry.
With Cal Poly Rodeo Coach Ben Londo about the expansion of the Poly Royal Rodeo to the Alex G. Spanos Stadium.
A historic look at the Poly Royal Rodeo.
Jim and Michelle Marderosian, longtime supporters of Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and key leaders in the citrus industry, have pledged $1.5 million to the college’s new J.G. Boswell Agricultural Technology Center.