Cultivating the Future: Cal Poly Strawberry Field Day Showcases Ag Innovation and Sustainability

 

July 28, 2025

A spirit of progress and purpose filled the air at the Ninth Annual Cal Poly Strawberry Center Field Day, where over 600 strawberry growers, researchers and industry leaders gathered to witness the future of farming in motion. Co-hosted by the California Strawberry Commission (CSC) and the Cal Poly Strawberry Center, the event celebrated more than a decade of transformative research, cutting-edge technology, and the cultivation of tomorrow’s agricultural leaders.

This year’s Field Day featured 25 dynamic, hands-on demonstrations by student researchers, CSC engineers and industry partners. Live exhibits revealed how innovation is driving practical solutions to the everyday challenges of strawberry farming—environmental, regulatory, economic, and beyond. From breakthrough automation to resilient plant varieties, attendees engaged directly with the science shaping the next era of sustainable agriculture.

Field Day Highlights Included:

• Research on UV-C light as a natural alternative to pesticides.
• Biological and traditional pest management tools that optimize efficacy as well as sustainability.
• Next-gen automation for harvesting and transplanting, designed for efficiency.
• Enhanced equipment sanitation methods that reduce pathogen spread in soil.

“This is more than just a field day— it’s where the future of farming takes root,” said Rick Tomlinson, President of the California Strawberry Commission. “Our growers and industry are deeply committed to sustainable, responsible growing practices, and the Strawberry Center is at the center of that transformation. There is something powerful about seeing the “all-in” spirit that’s driving sustainable success for one of the world’s most beloved fruits.”

Since its founding in 2013, the Cal Poly Strawberry Center — an innovative partnership between Cal Poly and the California Strawberry Commission — has conducted nearly 200 research projects and trained over 150 students through its signature Learn By Doing approach. These students are emerging as the next generation of agricultural problem-solvers, equipped to take on the challenges of a changing industry.

“This event shows what’s possible when education, science, and industry move forward together,” said Dr. Gerald Holmes, Director of the Cal Poly Strawberry Center. “The future is bright—and we’re just getting started.”

As California continues to produce nearly 90% of the nation's strawberries, the industry’s shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and leadership underscores a powerful message: With science and collaboration at the core, the California strawberry industry is not just growing — it’s evolving.

 

[Click here for photos and videos from the event.]

 

About the Cal Poly Strawberry Center

The Cal Poly Strawberry Center was established in 2014 within the Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences as a partnership between Cal Poly and the California Strawberry Commission. This one-of-a-kind center is rooted in the hands-on learning approach that defines Cal Poly. The center focuses on applied research incorporating teaching and learning experiences for Cal Poly undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and California strawberry farmers. For more information, please visit www.strawberry.calpoly.edu.

 

About California Strawberry Commission 

The California Strawberry Commission is more than 400 strawberry farmers, shippers and processors, all working together to advance strawberry farming for the future of our land and people. Commission programs create opportunities for success through groundbreaking programs focused on workforce training, strawberry production research and nutrition research. Through science-based information and education, it delivers the good news about sustainable farming practices that benefit the health of people, farms and communities.