USDA’s Agricultural Research Technology Center Breaks Ground in California

DAVIS, Calif. — Advances in crop production and preservation are poised for new digs as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) broke ground Oct. 29 for a modernized facility to consolidate labs that are currently located at the University of California, Davis.

The Agricultural Research and Technology Center (ARTC) will include customized laboratories, greenhouses and capacity for scientists as part of the ARS’s ongoing efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, water scarcity, emerging pests and increasing global need in support of a resilient agricultural production system.

The two-story, 59,000-square-foot building will house four ARS research units: Crops Pathology and Genetics, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health, National Clonal Germplasm Repository - Tree Fruit and Nut Crops and Grapes and Sustainable Agricultural Water Systems.

Collectively, these units improve the health, sustainability and profitability of agricultural production and natural resources in California and the Western United States.

“The building will be a nexus for scientists to investigate plant diseases, plant genetic resources, conventional and advanced plant breeding methods, soil health, invasive species management and myriad other areas driven by long-term agricultural research and climate-informed decision-making strategies,” said Dr. Simon Liu, ARS administrator.

Collaborations between ARS, USDA’s chief in-house research agency and UC Davis began in 1956 with the location of the Crops Pathology and Genetics Research Unit (CPGRU) led by ARS Plant Pathologist Dr. Austin Goheen on campus to research grape viruses.

ARS scientists have since fanned across several UC Davis departments, including Plant Pathology, Viticulture and Enology; Entomology and Nematology; Plant Sciences; and Land, Air and Water Resources, which has facilitated many collaborations that have benefited various stakeholders in industries that include almond, walnut, rice and grapes.

ARS’s presence on campus has since grown to over 30 scientists with supporting staff across the four research units and the Western Human Nutrition Research Center.

Strong collaborative research efforts between university extension specialists, farm advisors and faculty will continue with the move to the ARTC.

“This research will benefit growers, commodity groups, agricultural businesses and U.S. consumers who rely on ARS to find solutions to agricultural and environmental problems,” said Dr. Amisha Poret-Peterson, CPGRU acting research leader. “It’s incredible to celebrate current and future cooperative research among ARS, groundwater sustainability agencies, UC Davis researchers and stakeholders in diverse specialty realms such as tree nut, rice and beekeeping industries.”

ARS remains committed to nationwide infrastructure modernization, empowering researchers to address agricultural challenges from animal science and crop production to climate change and sustainable farming practices.

Notable speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included:

• Dr. Simon Liu, ARS administrator
• U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, California 4th Congressional District
• Dr. Tara McHugh, ARS Pacific West area director
• Dr. Amisha Poret-Peterson, acting research leader, CPGRU
• Dr. Glenda Humiston, vice president, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources 
• Dr. Helene Dillard, dean, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis