USDA Grant Funding

From studying disease resistance in baby leaf salad greens to finding sustainable ways to use the byproducts of olive oil production, the college was awarded more than $850,000 in 2022 through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program – allowing faculty and students to do increased research in areas that have a direct impact on California and beyond.

On Jan. 21, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal, and U.S.

Representative Jimmy Panetta visited Cal Poly to announce $72.9 million of grant funding is available in 2023 through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Assistant Professor Shunping Ding and graduate student Reilly Blair presented their related research on baby leaf salad greens during the visit.

World Ag Expo

The college, in partnership with Cal Poly Alumni, hosted an Alumni and Friends Reception at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California, on Feb. 15. Throughout the weeklong event the CAFES Ambassadors, a collegewide student organization that represents the college, shared the latest college happenings with prospective students and alumni.

Unified Wine And Grape Symposium

The Wine and Viticulture Department hosted a booth at Unified Wine and Grape Symposium, an industrywide trade show and program in Sacramento from Jan. 24-26. The college also hosted an Alumni and Friends Reception to discuss the latest developments in the department.

Director of Development

Abigail McCullough joined CAFES in December 2022 as director of development. McCullough comes to Cal Poly with 15 years of experience working in fundraising and program development. She earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from California State University, Sacramento, and began her career in fundraising with Boy Scouts of America. Most recently, she worked as an assistant director of development at UC Davis as a liaison to the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and the Department of Entomology and Nematology. Outside of work, McCullough is an avid horse rider and enjoys fostering kittens.

Calendar Of Events

APRIL 13-15

Cal Poly Open House

April 15

Ag Pavilion

9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Alumni Beer and Wine Garden

2 to 4 p.m.

April 16

Tractor Pull

1 to 3 p.m.

APRIL 14-15

Poly Royal Rodeo

JUNE 2-3

Performance Horse Sale

JUNE 18

Commencement

New Department Head

George Gallagher joined the Animal Science Department in February as the new department head, replacing Jaymie Noland, who retired from the post in 2022. Gallagher was previously a professor in the Berry College Animal Science Department in Georgia, where he served as chair of that department. Gallagher has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal sciences from New Mexico State University and a doctorate degree in reproductive physiology from Washington State University. "My previous institution and Cal Poly have much in common. Both are predominantly undergraduate institutions with a focus on hands-on learning. and have strong animal science programs,” said Gallagher. “I have had Cal Poly on my radar for some time waiting for the right opportunity. I am honored and excited to be a part of the Animal Science Department at Cal Poly."

Cal Poly Strawberry Center

The Cal Poly Strawberry Center was recently named the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s 2022 Integrated Pest Management Achievement award winner. The Strawberry Center helps advance integrated pest management and sustainability in strawberry production through prolific research and outreach programs with a focus on plant pathology, entomology, and labor automation. The center also provides training for undergraduate and graduate students who plan to advance to positions within the strawberry industry and carry the center’s integrated pest management and sustainability philosophy throughout California and beyond. Each year the Department of Pesticide Regulation honors California organizations for their integrated pest management achievements, recognizing organizations and individuals that are leaders in using reduced-risk pest management practices and sharing their successful strategies with others.