UC Davis Grand Challenges

International Olive Sustainability Conference
2024-09-05 - 2024-09-07 | UC Davis Conference Center, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis, 95616, United States
The UC Davis Olive Center is hosting an International Olive Sustainability Conference (IOSC) September 5 – 7, 2024 (registration and reception September 4). The conference will be held at the UC Davis Conference Center, with a half-day program in Napa.
During this conference you will learn about research and projects around the topics of sustainable olive farming and olive oil production, including soil health, biodiversity, utilization of mill by-products, input management and more. With our “farm to fork” approach, we are also addressing dietary choices that benefit both human and planetary health, and issues of economic and social sustainability.
This is a special opportunity to engage with researchers, farmers, and producers from around the world and members of the olive oil trade and culinary community. In addition to the three-day agenda there are post-conference tours to visit California olive farms and research facilities. Alongside the full schedule of presentations, panel discussions and poster sessions, we have planned social events, olive oil tastings and plenty of opportunities to network and have fun!
Register at the event website: https://olivesustainabilityconference.sf.ucdavis.edu/

Contest: Design a label for the launch of Hilgard631's wine
2024-06-07
The Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis has almost completed the process of becoming licensed to sell wine and will do so under the entity Hilgard631.
We invite all current undergraduate and graduate UC Davis students, as well as the Department of Viticulture and Enology faculty and staff, to take part in an exciting contest to help design the labels for these bottles.
Contest Details, Rules and Deadlines
1. You may submit a design for one of the three options:

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon (e.g., 2020)
Oakville Sauvignon Blanc (e.g., 2023)
Yolo County Albariño (e.g., 2023)

Please use the following guidelines from the TTB to help create your label. The information that is required by law may be changed on the winning label, but please include placeholder information for these required items. Please include that the wine will be “Bottled by Hilgard631”.
3. Submit your design as a JPG, PNG OR PDF at this link.
4. Submissions must be received by Sunday, April 7th at 11:59 pm PT.
5. All Viticulture and Enology faculty, staff, students, and executive leadership board members will be invited to vote for the winning design.
6. The winners will be announced by the end of April.
Please contact Caroline Bamforth with questions.
Prizes

First Prize: $500
Second Prize: $200
Third Prize: $100

Rules

All current undergraduate and graduate UC Davis students, as well as Viticulture and Enology faculty and staff, are eligible to enter.
Each entrant may submit a design for one label or a set of labels for all three wines. If creating a set of labels, it must have a coherent brand idea.
The winning artwork will be used on bottles of wine sold by Hilgard 631 (the entity that will be selling the UC Davis V&E wine). Cropping or other edits may occur to adhere to the required guidelines. Winners will be asked to submit original art files. Wine bottle labels are typically sized at 3” x 4.5.”
Entries cannot contain faces of real people, brand marks of the University of California or UC Davis, logos, weaponry or words, profanity, and cannot be associated with political events or politicians.
The artwork selected for the wine label will become the exclusive property of Hilgard631. The artist will retain the right to use the images of the artwork for their portfolios, but images or prints of the artwork cannot be sold or used by entities other than Hilgard631.

2024 State of the Science Summit: Reducing Methane from Animal Agriculture
2024-05-21 - 2024-05-22 | ARC Ballroom, ARC Ballroom, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences invite you to participate in a two-day conference: State of the Science Summit: Reducing Methane from Animal Agriculture. The Summit will be held May 21-22, 2024 at the ARC Ballroom at UC Davis.
The Summit will include informational presentations and panel discussions with leading experts in methane mitigation and animal science, connecting the dots between the scientific and regulatory aspects of feed strategies to reduce enteric emissions. The goal is to identify opportunities for collaboration and research that can help the dairy and beef industries meet climate goals.
Registration for the 2024 event is now available. Find out more information here.

Forum: Breeding the Best Strawberries
2024-05-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sensory Theater, Robert Mondavi Institute, 392 Old Davis Road, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
If you love strawberries, you’ve probably eaten one from the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program without knowing it! The breeding program’s legacy dates back to the 1930s, and to this day, 60% of the varieties grown in California are derived from UC Davis. You’ll taste four varieties and hear how UC Davis addresses the soilborne disease Fusarium wilt and growing concerns from the industry.
Registration:
The lecture will be in the Silverado Vineyards Sensory Theater on the UC Davis Campus. Seating is limited. Tickets are $30 per person (students: $15) and include a welcome reception with hosted bar before the lecture and light refreshments following the program.
Register Now

Speakers:

Dr. Hillary Thomas is currently the Research and Technical Director at Naturipe Berry Growers, Inc., where she focuses on the development and commercialization of applied agricultural research programs in berry production. She received her doctorate in Entomology in 2009 from UC Davis and went on to serve as a Science and Technology fellow in the California state legislature in the office of Fiona Ma. She also served as the former senior manager of the Research Department at the California Strawberry Commission from 2011-2015 and is a Fruit and Veg class of 2019 40 under 40 award recipient.

Steven Knapp is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences and the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program director at UC Davis. Their research focuses on the breeding, genetics, and genomics of strawberries, including the development, testing, and deployment of genetically superior cultivars, identifying and understanding genetic factors underlying economically significant phenotypes, enabling and applying marker-assisted selection and genomic selection, and advancing high-throughput genotyping and phenotyping approaches in strawberry.

Glenn Cole spent 32 years working on agriculture research in the seed industry before joining Dr. Steve Knapp in 2015 to help run the strawberry breeding program at UC Davis. His experience spans breeding and developing many crops, including alfalfa, wheat, melons, tomatoes, pepper, sunflower, and strawberry. For most of his career, he focused on developing and testing sunflower inbreds and hybrids for the oilseed product markets in North and South America, Europe, and Australia. He has a particular interest in identifying and incorporating valuable traits from wild species and exotic sources into the domesticated crop of interest. Genetic diversity is a critical component of any breeding program, and creatively implementing proper strategies to capture the value of that diversity is the challenge he likes most. Cole loves spending time with family and friends close to home and abroad. He loves to travel and experience the culture, food, and wine of different regions of the world. He loves spending time outdoors enjoying nature, hiking, birding, gardening, and the like.
Please watch a highlight video produced by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for a taste of what will come.

Register Now

23rd Annual Winkler Dinner
2024-05-04 17:30 | Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, RMI Sensory, 392 Old Davis Rd, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Held in the Olive Grove at the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at UC Davis, the Winkler Dinner is the event of the year for The Davis Enology and Viticulture Organization (DEVO). As DEVO’s only annual fundraiser, proceeds from the Winkler Dinner support all activities the organization plans throughout the year, including immersion trips to various wine regions, educational wine tastings, home winemaking and management of the student vineyard in South Davis. The Winkler Dinner also helps to fund the DEVO International Fellowship, a scholarship granted to one outstanding student wishing to work abroad.
Please come out to support us and celebrate our ability to gather for a good cause!
Tickets will be available for purchase in March. In the meantime, we encourage you to mark the date on your calendar and spread the word with colleagues, friends, and family.

UC Davis Symposium on Agricultural, Environmental and Social Sciences
2024-05-01 08:30 - 17:30 | UC Davis Conference Center, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis, 95616, United States
Please join Dean Dillard and the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) to celebrate the impact of research funded by the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and learn about the specific contributions of CA&ES faculty members who receive AES funding. This is also a chance to learn more about the Agricultural Experiment Station and how this public funding supports the college and contributes to research efforts throughout California.
The Symposium will feature four themes of importance to California and highlight the work of various panelists on air, water, healthy foods and communities, and working lands and people. Attendees will hear from speakers including Secretary Karen Ross and faculty from across the college. The program will offer several opportunities to network with researchers and colleagues.
Register here.
Find out more information here.

Semillas y Culturas ~ Seeds & Culture Summit 2024
2024-04-14 09:00 - 15:00 | Student Farm – Ecological Garden, 305 Baggins End, , CA 95616, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
With leadership from Ethnic Studies YOLO Academy and Save California Salmon, the 6th Semillas y Culturas ~ Seeds & Culture Summit will be hosted at the UCD Farm.
Our hope is to raise awareness and share ideas about sustaining Native California and Indigenous Meso American foodways across generations.
Register Now
9am-12pm: Speaker-led & Hands-on Workshops including:
Acorns & Walnuts, Diana & Christina Almendariz, Maidu/Wintun natural and cultural history experts and teachers
Decolonize your Diet and Maiz as our Sacred Mother
Teosinte – Care and Culture (hands on), Liza Grandia, Native American Studies, & Julia Schreiber, Student Ecological Garden Lead
Plants & Teas (hands on workshop), Jacquelyn Ross, Pomo, Coast Miwok, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, UC Davis
Indigenous Permaculture – Soils & Compost, Lupita Torres
12pm-3pm: Time to eat, gather, and share culture.
Food will be provided. Space is limited, so please register using the link above. Details with location, directions and schedule of welcome, workshops, lunch, and cultural sharing will be sent to registered participants.
Sponsors:
The YOLO Academy
Save California Salmon
Cache Creek Conservancy
UC Davis Native American Studies
UC Davis Department of Chicana/o Studies
The Student Farm
Agricultural Sustainability Institute
Interested in being a sponsor or supporter? Please email cghdixon@ucdavis.edu or
Weavings & Interconnections
Through a series of speakers and workshops, focused on the California and Meso American foodways, participants will be encouraged to pursue education, connection, and career paths related to culture and ecology. The summit will foster a sense of belonging, community building, self-awareness, and goal setting in an intergenerational space with academic, professionals, and community leaders who are committed. The Summit creates an empowering educational space that encourages participants to continue their learning and leadership development in Ethnic Studies, Native American Studies, Chicana/o Studies, as well as in the fields of Ecology, Sustainable Agriculture, and Culinary fields.
This event is organized by and is for community members and UC Davis students, staff and faculty. We are thankful to all our sponsors!

In anticipation of spending time at the UC Davis Student Farm, we want to acknowledge the land on which we will be gather. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands. Visit this UC Davis website to learn more about this land acknowledgement.
Learn more about past Semillas y Culturas here.

Women in Wine Symposium: "Sustainability in the Wine Industry"
2024-04-06 00:00
Women in Wine was created to connect, support, and celebrate women in the wine industry. In partnership with the RMI Walt Klenz Lectureship Series, they will host the Women in Wine Symposium, “Sustainability in the Wine Industry,” on April 6 with distinguished speakers in viticulture, winemaking, business, and marketing. This symposium aims to be educational while fostering connections among alums, students, and supporters of women in the wine community. Many speakers and panelists are UC Davis alumni and will be pouring their wines at the end-of-day reception. Register and attend here.
Follow Women in Wine on Instagram for further updates.

Picnic Day 2024
2024-03-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, RMI Sensory, 392 Old Davis Rd, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Picnic Day at UC Davis is filled with activities, Aggie Pride, and a campus full of students, families, and community members. We hope you will join us for fun and educational experiences highlighting the Department of Food Science and Technology, the Department of Viticulture and Enology, the Honey and Pollination Center, and the UC Davis Olive Center. The UC Davis Bookstore will be selling honey and olive oil to support the two centers (credit card only), and the Olive Center will also have shirts, hats, and olive wood for sale (cash/check only). See the full schedule below!

The Cool Science of Ice Cream
10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Good Life Garden
Learn about and taste ice cream made at the UC Davis Pilot Plant.
RMI Centers of Excellence
10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sensory Building Courtyard
Find out about upcoming events and programs, the Friends program, and becoming a volunteer.
Honey Tasting
10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sensory Building Courtyard
Come taste and learn about UC Davis honey and honey varietals from North America. Honey is available for purchase.
Extra Virgin: How to Identify and Taste Olive Oils
10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sensory Building Courtyard
Taste the delicious Olive Center olive oils, meet and discuss how the olive oils are made, how to taste them, detect the differences and appreciate them with our staff. Olive oil is available for purchase.
Explore the Department of Viticulture & Enology with the Davis Enology & Viticulture Organization (DEVO)

Winery Tours
11:00 am to 1:30 pm, Winery Building
Grapevine Giveaway *while supplies last
11:00 to 2:00 pm, Good Life Garden
Barrel Making Demonstration
12:00 to 1:00 pm, Winery Building Courtyard

Visit the Picnic Day website for a full schedule of events

"Writing in the Wine World" featuring Karen MacNeil
2024-03-13 17:30 - 20:00 | Sensory Theater, Robert Mondavi Institute, 392 Old Davis Road, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Writing in the Wine World
Karen MacNeil is one of the top wine professionals in the United States. Her deep understanding of wine and engaging style are evident in her book, The Wine Bible, recently released in its third edition. It is the best-selling American book on wine and one of history’s top five best-selling American wine books. She is also the creator and editor of WineSpeed. She has forged her own path through the world of wine and will share her story and knowledge during an engaging lecture.
Event Schedule:
5:30 pm: Doors Open

Welcome reception with a hosted bar.
Autographed book sales of the “The Wine Bible, 3rd Edition“, provided by Avid Reader.
UC Davis Library Archives and Special Collections will have a curated pop-up exhibit of related works.

6:00 pm: Lecture “Writing in the Wine World”
7:15 pm: Reception
Registration:
The lecture will be in the Silverado Vineyards Sensory Theater on the UC Davis Campus. Seating is limited. Tickets are $25 per person.
Event is Sold Out
Speakers:
Karen MacNeil is the author of The Wine Bible and creator and editor of WineSpeed. She has won numerous awards, including the James Beard Award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year, the Louis Roederer Award for Best Consumer Wine Writing, and the International Wine and Spirits Award as the Global Wine Communicator of the Year. MacNeil was previously a wine correspondent for the Today Show, host of the Emmy award-winning PBS series “Wine, Food and Friends with Karen MacNeil,” and USA Today’s first Food and Wine Editor.
Walt Klenz began his California wine industry career in 1973. In 1976, he was named Director of Marketing at Beringer Vineyards. Klenz held several senior marketing, financial, and operations positions at Beringer until his appointment in 1990 as President. After Beringer was sold to Foster’s Group in 2000, he headed Foster’s global wine business. Klenz served on the Advisory Board of ASC Fine Wines from 2008 to 2010 and on the Board of Directors of J. Lohr Winery and Columbia Sportswear Company. He is a past Napa Valley Vintners President and a past Wine Institute Chairman.
About:
This event is part of the Walt Klenz Lectureship Series on Wine Business, which brings leading figures in the domestic and international wine business to the institute for evenings of talks, insights, and unique perspectives about the wine industry.
Venue & Parking:
This event will be in-person at Silverado Vineyards Sensory Theater at the Robert Mondavi Institute, Sensory Building. Parking is available at the Gateway Parking Structure. Parking payment is enforced on weekdays. There are three options for parking payment:

UC Davis uses AggiePark via the AMP app – please be sure to download the app ahead of time and set up your profile. Select the zone which you parked using the map or icon in the top right corner of the app. This is the preferred and easiest method.
If you do not have a smartphone to download the app, you can also sign up for an account online and follow the steps on the website: https://aimsmobilepay.com/
Alternatively, permit machines in the Gateway Parking Structure accept credit cards. You will need to enter your license plate number into the machine to purchase a permit. We recommend this option as a last choice.

Questions?
If you have questions about this event, please email rmievents@ucdavis.edu.

Nutrition Management of Canine & Feline Obesity & Osteoarthritis
2024-02-01 12:00 - 13:00 | 1041 Valley Hall
CNC x Purina is hosting Dr. Avi Shaprut who will be talking about nutritional management of canine and feline obesity and osteoarthritis.

Apps for Food and Ag Hackathon
2024-01-26 - 2024-01-28
Running from Friday, January 26 – Sunday, January 28, is the 2nd annual Apps for Food and Ag Hackathon! Led by Christine Diepenbrock, Assistant Professor in Plant Sciences at UC Davis, and supported by the AI Institute for Food Systems (AIFS), this event provides an opportunity for more than 30 students to create apps focused around three themes:

Food Systems and Supply Chain Resiliency
AI-Driven Food Systems to Improve Human Health
Climate Adaptation and Sustainability

Rikin Gandhi, the co-founder and CEO of Digital Green, will give a keynote address to kick off the event. Mentors from private industry and UC Davis will be provided to the student teams to advise and support their development process. Winners will be announced on Sunday, January 28.

UC Davis Integrative Center for Alternative Meat & Protein Launch
2024-01-17 08:30 - 2024-01-18 14:00 | Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, RMI Sensory, 392 Old Davis Rd, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
UC Davis Integrative Center for Alternative Meat & Protein Launch
When: January 17-18th, 2024 RSVP by: January 9th, 2024
Where: University of California, Davis Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science
Who: Industry professionals, researchers, regulators, and other stakeholders in alternative protein
Hosted by: UC Davis, UCLA, Culinary Institute of America, USDA, University Baltimore Maryland County, Solano Community College
This two-day event will set in motion a new center of excellence and showcase the innovative and groundbreaking plant, fungal, and cell-based meat and protein work of our world leading researchers/partners.
We will begin with an Innovation Day on the 17th with a brief introduction to iCAMP and then lightning talks from our researchers, program leads, and partners to share our research, collaborations, and programs that will push forward food innovation for alternative meat and proteins.
January 17th, 2024 Agenda:
8:30 am Registration & Light Breakfast
9:00 am Introduction and Welcome to iCAMP
9:15 am Intellectual Property, Entrepreneurship, Commercialization structures

9:45 am – 4 pm Lightning round presentations on:

Plant, Fungal, Cell-based meat & protein research
IP structure, Entrepreneurship & Commercialization
Workforce Development & Technical Training
Culinary & Dining partnerships

4:00 – 5:00 pm Regional capacity to support food innovation and bioprocessing capacity panel

5:00 – 6:00 pm iCAMP Dinner & Mixer
We will host our first Partner’s Retreat on the 18th. We will lead discussions aimed at identifying needs (e.g., materials, knowledge, equipment, funding, partnerships) and frameworks for collaboration (e.g. structures, IP protections) for implementing the new center of excellence.
January 18th, 2024 Agenda:

8:00 am Light Breakfast
8:30 am Center Mission and Organization
9:45 am Funding Opportunities
10:30 am Strategic Events and Activities
11:00 am iCAMP Partnership Program

12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Discussion
2:00 pm End

The launch will be held under Chatham House rules (the information may be shared, but neither the identity nor affiliation of the speakers may be revealed). A summary announcement of the launch will be shared publicly outlining the outcomes while protecting IP concerns of participants.

Sustainable Food Systems Connect
2024-01-16 10:00 - 13:00 | Interntional Center, 463 California Ave #3140, Davis, CA, 95618, United States
Our Sustainable Food Systems Connect on January 16th, 2024 is a by-invite space for faculty, staff, and other researchers working in the realm of food, agriculture, and food-related social systems across UC Davis to create meaningful connections, foster collaborations, and collectively impact outcomes. See our event flyer for details: 1.16.24 SFS Connect

PMI Dept Seminar - Jennine Ochoa
2023-12-20 12:00 - 13:00
Vet Med: Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology (PMI) department seminar series: “California Animal Health & Food Safety Lab System (CAHFS) Tulare Lab’s Trials and Tribulations of Agricultural Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology including “The Flood”.
Register online
