The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has been awarded $1,479,774 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to establish a vital research lab in western Fresno County. UC ANR is matching the grant so the total project investment is nearly $3 million. The Agricultural Research and Innovation Laboratory Complex at UC West Side Research and Extension Center will allow scientists to study and diagnose problems more efficiently so farmers can get answers faster to reduce crop losses. Located in Five Points, the complex will close a critical infrastructure gap by providing environment-controlled laboratory units and associated training, meeting and research-support space for timely, field-integrated agricultural research and extension. “The facility will enable scientists to process and analyze soil, water, plant, pest and environmental samples on site immediately after collection, rather than shipping them to distant laboratories,” said Atef Swelam, director of UC West Side REC, which is operated by UC ANR. “This will reduce sample degradation, turnaround time, transportation and laboratory costs, and constraints on time-sensitive research, while improving data quality, collaboration and the efficiency of field-based investigations.”

At the new facility, scientists will be able to process and analyze soil, water, plant, pest and environmental samples on site. The project will strengthen UC West Side REC’s capacity to generate science-based solutions for the San Joaquin Valley’s major agricultural challenges. The new equipment will accelerate research that helps farmers sustain profitability while meeting water, environmental and regulatory challenges. The flexible laboratory capacity will support current and newly recruited UC Cooperative Extension scientists in groundwater, integrated pest management, postharvest, vertebrate, soil and water, and agricultural innovation and technology. The complex will also serve as a regional research and education resource for scientists at UC campuses, California State University Fresno, USDA Agricultural Research Service, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, visiting scientists, public agencies, nonprofit partners and industry collaborators.