CAFES News

CAFES Connections: Fall Career Networking Event

The CAFES Connections: Fall Career Networking Event, planned for Nov. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Swanson Center of Effort Conference Hall, is a perfect opportunity for students to meet and network with companies interested in connecting with the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences students. Students can attend this event to network and learn about full-time career, co-op, or internship opportunities, and come prepared for same-day or next-day interviews. Business attire is suggested. Read more about the event here.

AgWest Farm Credit
Althouse and Meade, Inc.
Altman Specialty Plants
American AgCredit
American Custom Meats, LLC
California Giant Berry Farms
Chef Ann Foundation
CoBank
Community Health Centers of the Central Coast
Dairy Farmers of America
Foster Farms
Fresno Madera Farm Credit
Golden State Farm Credit
Granite Construction
Grimmway Farms
Henry Miller Reclamation District #2131
Hilmar Cheese Company
HM CLAUSE

J.M. Smucker Company
J.R. Simplot CompanyKing Energy
LandCare
Leprino Foods Company
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Mendocino Family of Companies
Niagara Bottling
Nutrien
Oxbow Pool and Landscape Contractors
Phytech
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Saputo
Sierra Pacific Industries
Syngenta
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
The Wine Group
The Wonderful Company LLC

Events

Cal Poly hosts timbersports competition

The Cal Poly Logging Team recently hosted its annual timbersports competition, Cal Conclave, with Cal Poly, Humboldt and University of California, Berkeley in attendance. With a large turnout of spectators and alumni volunteers, the Mustangs offered events including climbing, single buck, power saw, obstacle pole, double buck, axe throw, chopping and more.

General News

Collaborative organic agriculture podcast now streaming

Explore the latest in organic agriculture with the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research and Cal Poly’s Agricultural Education and Communication Department’s podcasts. Tune in to the long-form series, where Cal Poly students dive into vital topics like soil health, pest management, policy changes, and consumer trends. Produced as part of Professor Moses Mike’s Digital Communication in Agriculture and Science course, these podcasts bring fresh, informed perspectives to the evolving organic landscape. For quick insights, check out “Organic Chat,” where Center Director Dr. Matt Grieshop interviews students, faculty, and staff actively engaged in organic research and production. Both podcasts connect listeners to the latest developments shaping organic agriculture today. You can find the podcasts at https://grimmorganiccenter.podbean.com/ or at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or other podcast apps.

General News

Charles and Claire Jacobson Animal Health Center Groundbreaking

The groundbreaking ceremony of the Charles and Claire Jacobson Animal Health Center took place on Friday, Nov. 8, attended by university officials, students, faculty, staff and benefactors.

Plans for the new center include 15,500 square feet of multi-use space flexible for teaching, research and clinical training — including wet labs, a surgery suite and a necropsy area. The center is set to become an interactive, experiential animal facility that embraces hands-on learning, supporting the next generation of leaders in veterinary medicine, animal healthcare and animal agriculture.

The Charles and Claire Jacobson Animal Health Center will ultimately foster a more collaborative and interdisciplinary approach between people, animals and their shared environment while training students in sustainable animal food production and animal agriculture. The complex furthers Cal Poly’s role as the top undergraduate animal science program for students, faculty and industry partners in the country.

General News

Application for AFA Leader Institutes are open

Agriculture Future of America Leader Institutes provide a unique opportunity to explore students’ interests and connect with industry professionals nationwide. Dive deep into various agriculture sectors through immersive, hands-on learning experiences designed to help students find their interests and build their network. Visit the AFA website to learn more about each institute.

AFA offers 6 institutes each year, including sustainability, plant science, precision agriculture, animal science, policy and food systems. Apply now.

Sustainability: Feb. 9-11, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Precision Agriculture: March 2-4, 2025 in Denver, Colo.

Animal Science: April 13-15, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo.

Plant Science: July 20-22, 2025 in Sacramento, Calif.

Information about policy and food systems will be released soon. Contact Savannah Taylor (staylo59@calpoly.edu) with questions.

General News

Soil Judging Team in Albuquerque

The Soil Judging Team competed at the regional contest in Albuquerque, N.M. on Saturday, Nov. 9, taking first place in group judging and placing as second overall high team. Gordon Rees, the team’s adviser, said the students achieved a lot, “handling some very complex soils in a very different context than what they’ve ever seen before.” Three Cal Poly students placed in the top 10 as individuals, including Nick Baham, Mollie Bressler, and Gavin Wong.

General News

Student Public Health Volunteer Opportunity

The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department is currently seeking volunteers from nutrition and health-related majors for its community wellness program. This initiative aims to promote healthy lifestyles and habits in the community and for local youth by providing nutrition education and wellness resources. Students will have a unique opportunity to gain practical experience that aligns directly with academic and career paths in Nutrition, Public Health, and other health-related fields.

Volunteers will develop communication, teaching and leadership skills by assisting in K-5th grade nutrition education programs. This role provides many opportunities for students to take initiative, shadow community coalitions, and foster connections that can enrich their academic and professional networks. Read more here.

Events

Plant Sciences Professor Retires

Plant Sciences Professor David Headrick is retiring after 27 years of teaching at Cal Poly. Join the Plant Sciences Department in celebrating his tenure and wishing him farewell on Saturday, Dec. 7. A cocktail hour will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by dinner and an open mic. Bring your stories and fondest memories to share. RSVP by Friday, Nov. 29. You can also submit a message on a kudos board to that will be shared with him.

General News

Cultivate Fall Issue

The latest issue of Cultivate is out. In this issue you’ll read the inspiring story of an alumnus winning his first medal in the Paris Paralympics, to students and faculty researching ways to ensure environmental sustainability, and the 10-year anniversary of the Cal Poly Strawberry Center.

General News

College Multicultural Agriculture Program

Nearly 30 students attended the Multicultural Agriculture Program Center’s first event of the quarter! A networking session with Monica Contreras from Career Services gave students the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Cal Poly programs. CAFES Academic Advisor Maria Grando is overseeing efforts to relaunch the center.

Faculty News

Wine and Viticulture Department Head Named Industry Leader

Wine and Viticulture Department Head Benoit Lecat was honored as an industry leader by Wine Business Monthly, a well-known publication of wine industry news. As mentioned in the article,

Cal Poly SLO has quickly come on to the scene as one of the premier winemaking and viticulture schools thanks in large part to Dr. Benoit Lecat, who has served as its department head since 2015. His “learn by doing” approach has helped students graduate ready to jump into most winery operations and, with an importance placed on business and marketing as well, ready to start their own businesses. His passion for educating the next generation of vintners and industry professionals has culminated in the creation of the JUSTIN and J. Lohr Center for Wine and Viticulture, a state-of-the-art 27,600-square-foot, student-operated winery.

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