UC ANR receives nearly $1 million to spur innovation, economic growth in Capital Region
Funding to accelerate sustainable agrifood innovations and economic growth in Greater Sacramento region
UC ANR Innovate, the innovation arm of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, has received a significant grant award through the California Jobs First initiative to establish The Plant, a facility designed to support agrifood innovation and sustainable agriculture in the Sacramento Valley. This funding will jump-start development for the facility and is part of a broader regional initiative to spur economic growth and sustainability in the Greater Sacramento region.
The $974,855 Catalyst grant is awarded by the California Jobs First "We Prosper Together" collaborative and administered by Valley Vision, a regional civic leadership organization. The grant will fund early-stage development activities and planning to prepare for construction of The Plant.
These include feasibility studies, architectural and engineering designs, site evaluations, environmental assessments and preliminary permitting. The grant also funds project management and partnership development to strengthen long-term implementation. By covering these early-phase requirements, the funding reduces project risk and helps accelerate the timeline, making The Plant more competitive for additional public and private investment.
“This Catalyst grant is a game-changer for The Plant and for agricultural innovation in our region,” said Gabe Youtsey, UC ANR’s chief innovation officer. “It provides the vital resources we need to accelerate this project from vision to reality. The Plant will fill a critical gap by linking UC research and startup ingenuity with the growers, processors and communities who can put new innovations into practice.”
“By fast-tracking The Plant’s development, we can more rapidly drive new discoveries from lab to field, support a new generation of agrifood entrepreneurs and ultimately grow a stronger, more resilient food system for California,” Youtsey added.
The Plant will be designed to accelerate solutions in agriculture, food and climate. Its core mission is to harness advanced technologies – notably artificial intelligence and biotechnology – to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in these sectors, from sustainability to food security.
The Plant aims to bridge the innovation gap between advanced research and real-world application, fast-tracking the commercialization of innovations that address climate change, strengthen food systems and improve human health.
The heart of The Plant lies in industry-academic collaboration. By bringing together universities, corporations and government (the so-called “triple helix”), the project strives to invent, pilot and rapidly scale solutions for global challenges in agriculture and health.
Located in Northern California’s Greater Sacramento region, The Plant builds upon California’s unique strengths – from world-class university research to the state’s status as an agricultural powerhouse – to drive economic development and food system resilience on a global scale.
“California’s farmers and ranchers are facing complex challenges – from drought and climate extremes to supply chain disruptions,” said Glenda Humiston, University of California vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “The Plant will be a cornerstone for developing the next generation of ag technologies and practices to meet these challenges. Thanks to the Catalyst funding, we can accelerate this project and, ultimately, help ensure California remains the ‘go-to’ region for agricultural innovation.”
With the Catalyst grant, UC ANR Innovate and its partners in industry and academia and across the community will embark on the next steps for The Plant. Over the next year, the grant will fund critical pre-construction work, operational planning and partnership-building activities.
Meeting these milestones will lay the groundwork for The Plant to move into its construction and implementation phase. By being “shovel-ready” for future investment, The Plant will be well-positioned to attract additional state, federal and private funding to fully realize the innovation campus.
For more information about The Plant or to learn how you can get involved, please contact UC ANR Chief Innovation Officer Gabe Youtsey at gdyoutsey@ucanr.edu or (530) 750-1314.
UC ANR Innovate is the innovation arm of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, dedicated to driving progress in agriculture, food and biotechnology. UC ANR Innovate connects researchers, startups, farmers and policymakers to transform ideas into practical solutions that strengthen industries, empower communities and ensure a sustainable future for California’s agriculture. Through collaboration, funding support and real-world application, UC ANR Innovate turns innovation into impact.