Statewide coalition to accelerate adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies and workforce development with $15 million from California Jobs First
October 14, 2025 — The California AgTech Alliance will officially launch at a press conference during FIRA USA, an agricultural robotics and automation conference held Oct. 21-23 in Woodland, Yolo County.
The Alliance will bring together state agencies, universities, growers and industry to fast-track practical agricultural technologies from lab to field. Backed by a $15 million statewide investment through California Jobs First, the Alliance will serve as a platform to coordinate regional innovation hubs, support commercialization and build a skilled workforce ready for the next generation of ag tech.
Speakers will outline how the Alliance’s first-year initiatives – focused on technology pilots, workforce training and $2 million in innovation grants – will advance productivity, resilience and equitable access across California agriculture.
Following the launch, the Alliance and The Mixing Bowl (which connects food, ag and digital innovators for thought and action leadership) will unveil their 2025 Crop Robotics Landscape, an infographic mapping hundreds of companies developing robotic solutions for food crop production.
The presentation will also discuss the evolving market of robotic innovation in agriculture and its opportunities for workforce development.
WHEN:
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025
10:30 – 11 a.m. (doors open 10:25 a.m.)
Media availability and refreshments 11 – 11:15 a.m.
WHERE:
The Plaza, Yolo County Fairgrounds
1250 E. Gum Avenue, Woodland, CA 95776
(inside the FIRA USA event site)
WHO:
- Gabriel Youtsey, Chief Innovation Officer, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)
- Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
- Walt Duflock, Senior Vice President of Innovation, Western Growers / Co-Chair, California AgTech Alliance Industry Advisory Board
- Karen Aceves, Founder, ARKEN Strategies / AgSTEP Workforce Program
WHY:
California agriculture faces a dual challenge: feeding a growing world while adapting to labor shortages, climate change and natural resource constraints. The California AgTech Alliance unites state and regional partners to coordinate technology deployment, workforce upskilling and public-private investment to meet those challenges head-on.
RSVP:
Members of the media are invited to register for the press conference by contacting Hanif Houston at hrhouston@ucanr.edu.
Accredited journalists will also receive complimentary access to the full three-day FIRA USA event, a $450 value. Please reach out to Hanif to request press credentials or tickets.
About UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.
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