More than 200 farmers, technologists, researchers, students and partners gathered at Lindcove Research and Extension Center on Dec. 5 for the fourth and final VINE Connect Field Day of 2025.
The event marked a milestone: one year since the program launched, with attendance more than doubling since the first field day in November 2024.
UC ANR Innovate operates VINE Connect, a statewide commercialization program that helps proven ag tech companies bring their technologies to market through direct engagement with growers.
"California growers need solutions that work now, and work under real constraints, and that's what VINE Connect is here to deliver," said Gabe Youtsey, UC ANR's chief innovation officer. "We're proving that when you start with farmers' actual problems, not what we think they need, you get technologies that scale because they solve real challenges from day one."
Held in partnership with Lindcove's annual Citrus Fruit Display and Tasting, the event featured six agricultural technology companies demonstrating solutions for citrus and tree fruit growers.
Attendees rotated through live demonstrations in Lindcove's citrus blocks, where company founders walked them through their technologies:
- Ag-Bee LLC showed spray drone application for hard-to-reach blocks and steep terrain
- CropX demonstrated soil sensor networks that have reduced water use by 30% in commercial orchards
- Evolve Genomix ran DNA-based pathogen detection tests, delivering results in under an hour, compared to the typical 2-to-3-week laboratory turnaround
- HotSpot Ag showcased irrigation automation designed specifically for permanent crops
- Kingman Ag demonstrated autonomous tractor technology that can cut fuel consumption by 25% to 50%
- OnTarget Spray Systems used electrostatic spraying technology that reduces water usage by up to 80%
Throughout the morning, farmers and researchers compared observations, asked technical questions and offered candid feedback to the companies developing these tools.
The cohort also participated in virtual workshops on pitching to growers and engaged directly with VINE industry advisory board members, including Julia Inestroza, chair of California Citrus Mutual; Jason Giannelli, president of Water Association of Kern County; and Mark Mason, ag manager at Huntington Farms.
The Lindcove REC team shared their ongoing research priorities and described how field trials at the center support industry needs.
The VINE Connect Field Day at Lindcove REC followed field days at Hansen and West Side Research and Extension Centers in April and June, and UC Merced's Experimental Smart Farm in September. Each cohort is tailored to specific commodity challenges identified by California's agricultural industry.
Thanks to Ashraf El-kereamy, Donald Cleek and the rest of the Lindcove team for hosting, and to everyone who helped plan and run the event: Hannah Johnson, Connie Bowen, Nat Irwin, Lucie Cahierre, Terri White, Eli Newell, Andrea Pesce, Kelly Scott, Helle Petersen, Santanu Thapa and Juan Francisco Rodriguez Hernandez.