Dean Helene Dillard with the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will gather with fellow scientists, staff and students at the 2024 World Ag Expo in Tulare, Feb. 13-15, to chat with farmers, prospective students, alumni and leaders throughout the agricultural industry.

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend this three-day event, where 1,200 exhibitors display cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment throughout 2.6 million square feet of show grounds.

“I’m delighted to attend this incredible agricultural exhibition,” Dillard said. “I look forward to discussing the college’s latest developments in agricultural research, meeting prospective students and reconnecting with alumni and friends from the Central Valley and beyond.”

Dillard will be at the UC Davis booth — located in the Ag Careers and Education Center — from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Feb. 15. She will be joined by Jason Bond, who is associate dean for agricultural sciences, director of the R.M. Bohart Museum of Entomology and a professor of entomology and nematology.

College experts in viticulture and enology, animal science and animal biology, plant pathology, plant sciences and other topics will be available to discuss agricultural issues and visit with attendees. CA&ES experts are also participating in several seminar and panel sessions addressing dairy sustainability, pre-weened dairy calf management, benefits of raising alfalfa in the west and current policy and science of dairy and beef cattle additives for methane reduction.

Aggie Ambassadors and undergraduate student advisors will also be on hand to answer questions about UC Davis majors and campus life.

“Prospective students can learn about our majors and the career paths they provide,” said Sue Ebeler, associate dean of undergraduate academic programs and a professor in viticulture and enology. Ebeler will be at the UC Davis booth on Feb. 15.

In addition to Dillard, Bond and Ebeler, college experts attending the expo include:

Feb. 13-15
Thai Vue, associate director of undergraduate admissions program
Deanne Meyer, Cooperative Extension specialist in livestock waste management

Feb. 13
Trish Berger, professor of animal science
Conor McCabe, CLEAR center and animal science doctoral student

Feb. 14
Alycia Drwencke, Ph.D. student in animal behavior
Dan Putnam, professor emeritus of Cooperative Extension in plant sciences

Feb. 15
Phil Schwartz, assistant director of alumni and volunteer engagement

UC Davis is ranked first in the nation for agriculture, plant sciences, animal science and agricultural economics. In fall 2023, the campus enrolled 40,850 students, with more than 7,500 undergraduates housed in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The campus offers more than 100 majors and students may choose from a variety of disciplines in agricultural, environmental and social and human sciences—from agricultural and environmental technology to nutrition and global disease biology.

“The World Ag Expo is an incredible event,” Ebeler said. “We get to meet with leaders from around the world, as well as with the passionate young people who are the future of agriculture.”