Challenges sector
The itinerary included site visits and discussions with Plenty and Rocket Farms, UC Davis research centers, HM Claus Innovation Center and the AgStart Icubation Center. This gave the group a good overview of California CEA research and operations. The group also met with representatives from the California Governor’s Office and the Greater Sacramento Region Leaders to discuss how CEA can thrive alongside California’s strong food production systems. This enthusiasm is evident in the new Gotham Greens facility in Davis that is just starting to go up.
The group listened to CEA facility operators and business leaders from the industry to find out what they needed to succeed. The key themes were the need to have a skilled workforce and automation technology. It is evident that the lack thereof is driving the demand for the former!), improved efficiency and sustainability, creative relationships for financing, and government relations.
The trip was very succesful!Both the NL and CA groups have been able to increase support for executing Consortium activities an important step in promoting and achieving goals.The purpose of the Consortium remains an essential theme in both regions with growing appreciation.Engagement with Industry, government, and local community leaders reinforced the growing vision of CEA as a critical element in addressing food challenges.
Updates on innovation projects
California Agriculture, Food, and Health Innovation Center, (CAFHIC), will be a public-private partnership that bridges crucial innovation and opportunity gaps. It will bring together our world-class agriculture, food, and tech industries with our universities and partners to vet and slingshot inventions and innovations into widespread commercialization. The goal of the center is to commercialize technology from invention to market adoption. This will help to accelerate solutions for the world’s agriculture, food and health problems while supporting thriving communities and ensuring a prosper economy throughout the state, nation, as well as the world.
The CAFHIC, a non-profit organisation, will be created by a network of Northern California partners and led by the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. The CAFHIC will include the following:
1. Programs and an incubator to support startup development in the Agriculture and Food Tech (Agfoodtech).
2. Supporting specialized Agfoodtech research, development and production facilities in the technical, laboratory and manufacturing areas
3. Collaboration environments for industry-university-community collaboration and workforce development events and activities.
A feasibility study is currently being prepared to fully assess the potential and demand for an innovative center. This project has received over 75 letters of support, which clearly demonstrate the need for such facilities. Interviews with stakeholders revealed that CEA facilities are needed to be located near or within close proximity to valuable laboratory space. This project is a great opportunity for technologists and entrepreneurs to create new products and essential components in the Agrifoodtech sector.
For more information:
Ministry of agriculture, nature, and food quality in the Netherlands
www.government.nl/en
