Chico State Celebrates Groundbreaking for New Agricultural Teaching Center and Farm Store at University Farm

Already one of the most diversified farming operations in Northern California, the 800-acre University Farm is the living laboratory for agricultural programs at Chico State and lays the groundwork for the agricultural leaders of tomorrow. Soon, its impact will grow even further with the addition of a new Agricultural Education Center and Farm Store, which will be celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony this Friday, September 20.

When complete, the 9,500-square-foot facility will expand the number of classrooms, create on-site event and conference rooms, and establish a dedicated space for student clubs and competitions, as well as provide 5,700 square feet of covered outdoor space. The College of Agriculture has collaborated with Modern Building and JKAE to design a building to reflect the University’s learning and teaching needs while providing an aesthetically pleasing structure.

The adjoining Farm Store will centralize the sale of the University Farm’s popular produce and meats and create opportunities for new, innovative offerings. Its presence will enhance the farm’s recognition as a destination to learn about agriculture and purchase locally produced food.

“Our University Farm is a model for both conventional and innovative agriculture practices—those that have fed our world for generations and will continue to for long into the future,” said University President Steve Perez. “The exciting learning and research, discussions and ideation that will happen in this new building will truly have a transformational impact—on students, our North State partners, and global agriculture.”

The campus and community are invited to attend the groundbreaking, which will take place a few steps away from the existing construction site just west of the University Pavilion at the University Farm, 311 Nicholas C Schouten Lane in Chico. After a welcome from Interim College of Agriculture Dean David Hassenzahl, Dennis Ramirez, chairperson of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, will offer a blessing, followed by remarks from President Perez; alumnus and project donor Jay Gilbert; representatives from Modern Building and JKAE; and agricultural science and education major Flor Ibarra.

Scheduled to open in fall 2025, the center will offer state-of-the-art learning and conference capabilities and be home to high-demand courses in value-added agriculture, food processing and regulation, sustainable production methods, biotechnology, and food science, while also supporting collaborative research and cross-disciplinary programs uniting Colleges of Natural Science, Engineering, Business, and Communications and Education.

Chico State is home to one of just four university farms in the CSU and five in all of California. This facility will fill gaps in the state’s agriculture education by promoting technology, sustainable practices, small- to large-scale entrepreneurship, collaborative research, and agriculture-led innovation. The conference center will attract industry experts to conduct seminars, networking events, and speaker series on topics of interest to students, researchers, farmers and ranchers, and agricultural leaders.

“For more than 65 years, the University Farm has been an integral component of our program and served our broader community and industry. The Agricultural Education Center and Farm Store will bring modern and state-of-the-art technologies to facilitate instruction, training, and research,” said Kevin Patton, interim director of the University Farm and interim associate dean for the College of Agriculture. “Importantly, the new facility will support students to become the next generation of leaders in agricultural and food sciences, build partnerships with state industry partners, and engage the North State more deeply with the University Farm and all it has to offer.”

The $11.5 million Agricultural Teaching Center and Farm Store project is primarily funded through one-time state allocations, with additional support from generous University donors. The Farm Store will be named in honor of alumnus Jay Gilbert (Business Administration, ’69), president of Oakdale Feed and Seed Company and a dedicated member of the University Foundation Board. Gilbert’s leadership gift and his commitment to providing agriculture students with hands-on business experience through his company are just a few examples of his ongoing support of Chico State. A proud Chico State graduate and former track and field student-athlete, Gilbert’s generosity and long-standing dedication to the University community are reflected in this recognition.