Strawberry growers gather for Cal Poly innovation showcase
Demonstrations feature UV-C light, automation and soil sanitation methods
– More than 600 strawberry growers, researchers and industry leaders attended the Ninth Annual Cal Poly Strawberry Center Field Day, co-hosted by the California Strawberry Commission and the Cal Poly Strawberry Center.
The event showcased over 25 live demonstrations by student researchers, commission engineers and industry partners. These included research on UV-C light as a pesticide alternative, pest management tools balancing efficacy and sustainability, automated harvesting and transplanting technology, and improved equipment sanitation methods aimed at reducing pathogen spread in soil.
“This is more than just a field day — it’s where the future of farming takes root,” said Rick Tomlinson, president of the California Strawberry Commission. “Our growers and industry are deeply committed to sustainable, responsible growing practices, and the Strawberry Center is at the center of that transformation. There is something powerful about seeing the ‘all-in’ spirit that’s driving sustainable success for one of the world’s most beloved fruits.”
Founded in 2013 as a partnership between Cal Poly and the California Strawberry Commission, the Cal Poly Strawberry Center has completed nearly 200 research projects and trained more than 150 students through Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing model.
“This event shows what’s possible when education, science and industry move forward together,” said Gerald Holmes, director of the Cal Poly Strawberry Center. “The future is bright — and we’re just getting started.”
California produces nearly 90 percent of the nation’s strawberries.
