THE FARM OF THE FUTURE

From vast fruit orchards to fertile fields of vegetables, the sun, soil and climate of our great state afford us the gift of abundant, nutritious food—and it fuels billions of dollars​ into California's economy.

​Growing that food has never been an easy way to make a living, and it's no different for today's farmers, who face more challenges than ever, including limited water resources, the impact of climate change and crop loss due to disease and pests.

In spite of the difficulty inherent in a career in agriculture, a new generation of future farmers is choosing this work—​and they're choosing to get prepared at the CSU. It is these men and women who will play an essential role in the farm of the future and in the state's economy.

According to a recent report from the National Young Farmers Coalition, 27 percent of primary producers in California are beginning farmers with less than 10 years of experience. “The future of agriculture in the state, and the U.S. as a whole, depends on the success of California's next generation of farmers and ranchers," concluded the report.

Read on to learn how gifted CSU students, led by faculty, are driving innovation in agriculture across California.