In 2022, philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Company, pledged the largest gift ever to the university by individual donors. The $50 million pledge supports the school’s longstanding commitment to address today’s most pressing challenges in agriculture and environmental sustainability.
The $50 million gift has established the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation, with $10 million of the Resnicks’ gift directed toward annual competitive research grants through the Resnick Agricultural Innovation Research Fund. This donation also supports UC Davis’ $2 billion fundraising campaign, “Expect Greater: From UC Davis, for the World,” the university’s largest philanthropic endeavor to date.
Design on the Resnick Center has begun with construction slated for completion by 2026. Once built, the new 40,000-square-foot, LEED-certified, state-of-the-art hub will house classrooms, research and lab spaces, and student advising support near the current plant sciences building off Hutchison Drive in Davis.
Learn more about the new Resnick Center, below:
- Why is UC Davis building this new center?
- This building will help us extend our efforts to lead field-level research, analyze big data, rapidly breed plant varieties that can adapt to our changing climate, and fine-tune existing crop varieties, while educating and training future generations to help us meet the demands for feeding communities in a swiftly changing environment. This new modern space will provide opportunity for every department in the college to conduct and expedite cutting edge research into scalable industry solutions.
- How will this space benefit students?
- In addition to providing research space and learning opportunities through classroom access and projects and internships with faculty, the center will include a student hub for mentorship, coaching and advising.
- Where will the building be located?
- The new building will be situated on the west side of campus next to the Plant Reproductive Biology Facility and adjacent to the Bowley Plant Science Teaching Facility. Close proximity to the Student Farm, research fields, greenhouses and agricultural facilities provides a unique opportunity for faculty and students to access innovative research and experiential learning opportunities.
- When will the project be complete?
- The design process began in 2022. Construction is expected to be finished by 2026.
- How big is the building and what will it house?
The Lynda and Stewart Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation is designed as a two-story, 34,000 square foot multidisciplinary research facility that will house innovative agricultural research programs not currently accommodated in other CA&ES facilities. The full site is approximately 67,500 square feet. The LEED-certified center will house classrooms, research and lab spaces to test and fabricate new technologies across multiple disciplines, and it will provide career and advising support for students interested in agriculture. Examples include:
Sensor and Robotics Prototyping and Testing Lab
This is a highly flexible environment designed to support a wide range of research, development and testing activities involving prototyping, assembling and testing ag robotics and sensing systems from the component level to the completed devise. This lab includes the following rooms:Fabricating Shop
Printing/Laser Cutter Alcove
Electronics Bench Alcove
Clean Materials Storage (electronics and parts)
Raw Materials Storage (wood, metal and plastics)
Project Storage (cabinets and carts)
Light Control Room for Sensor Testing
Shop/Lab Manager Office
Robotics and Sensor Testing Lab
This space is designed for larger scale testing of sensors, automated and robotic systems within a controlled environment and can accommodate up to six potted trees with pot dimensions of up to at least 72 inches.Student Maker-Collaboration Lab
Designed to support classes for the Agricultural and Environmental Technology major, the room is a flexible, ag-centric maker space that can support both scheduled classes and independent study projects and integrates next generation technologies including big data, robotic and digital technology.Digital and AI Big Data Design Lab
This multipurpose space includes six high performance computer systems with licenses that support specialized software for digital design, geographic information systems, data visualization and other applications. It will also include large format interactive display to support collaborative discussions and presentations.Agricultural By Product Research
This space is designed to house up to seven process skids used to extract food products and neutraceuticals from agricultural byproducts using green technology such as supercritical carbon and ultrasound processes. The room will also provide support areas such as a scullery sink and mobile worktables. The raw material inputs will largely be pre-processed using applicable facilities. The capacity, configuration and connectivity of the utility infrastructure in the room should be flexible to allow for different extraction processes and technologies to be used over time.Extraction/Isolation Lab
The Extraction/Isolation Lab will be licensed under the State of California Processed Food Registration. It is expected that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the registered space will include regular wash down with sterilizing chemicals and minimum 180-degree water. The room design and construction shall be validated against the specific requirements and SOPs required by registration when they are made available by the university. Faculty and students working in this lab will need access to changing-dressing rooms near the Extraction Lab.- What are the goals for this center?
Create an intersection of agriculture, technology and science
Foster the growth of students as tomorrow’s leaders in modern agriculture
Engage the campus population and visitors through direct visual connection to internal research and learning activities
Support onsite and real-time testing of research with a demonstration orchard and planting beds integrated with the building design
- What are the primary programmatic areas of focus?
Investigators will pursue research in five thematic areas: making crops more resilient and sustainable in face of a changing climate, maximizing water and energy efficiency, finding more ways to use agricultural byproducts, developing next generation technologies, and expanding access to nutritious food.
Agricultural Sensor and Robotics Research and Development
Research to develop sensors to gather in-field analytical data on soil, moisture, plant growth, fruit ripening, and other factors. Robotics development for sensor transport, fruit harvesting and other potential uses. Prototype sensor and robot development and testing.Food Grade Agricultural By-Product Research and Development
Research to develop food grade and consumable products of nutritional or pharmaceutical value from agricultural harvest waste products such as almond hulls and shells, pistachio hulls and shells, pomegranate and citrus skins, and other harvest or processing waste materials.Resilient Agriculture Research
Research to study water efficiency, climate change, and emerging environmental factors and impacts on plants and the development of new plants resilient to these changing environmental factors.Student Success Hub
A multiuse space for students as a welcoming home base for coaching sessions and collaborative student work sessions.