Venture into the field and experience agribusiness close-up.
As the global center for food and ag innovation, UC Davis also puts you at the heart of a region that produces 25% of the nation's food supply and 40% of its fruits, nuts, and other table foods. You'll go behind the scenes on exclusive tours of top agribusiness and farming operations throughout California.
Exclusive Site Visits
The Food & Ag Pre-Immersion field study course introduces you to the complexities of operating and managing food and agriculture-based businesses in order to meet the increasing demands of the consumer while implementing sustainable practices in a world facing the impacts of climate change.
You'll meet CEOs and senior executives, tour wineries in Napa, strawberry farms in Monterey, seed companies in Yolo, and more. This hands-on experience offers insights into emerging agtech and business models, plus an insider's look at manufacturing and supply chain logistics.
"The benefit of visiting each of these companies and farms is that we get to see real-life situations and problems and learn how to solve them. I took this as an opportunity to meet industry leaders in the food industry. This has been a great impact on me and where I go in my career path."
— MBA student Temidire Dada
Recent topics and tours:
- Discover how global agricultural research and development companies create new varieties of fruits and vegetables to deal with changing consumer preferences and varying geographies and climates.
- Learn how companies collaborate with UC Davis to enhance their knowledge and build their business, particularly in areas such as aquaculture and hydroponics. Visit a sturgeon farm and caviar production facility that has been recognized by Whole Foods for its sustainability efforts.
- Visit a producer of alternative protein products that is using an innovative approach substituting fungi for meat.
- Hear from a farmer regarding the economic pressures facing agricultural producers in California.
- View an entire field to fork process for an olive oil company including visits to their orchards, processing facility and an olive oil tasting.
- Visiting the leading player in the packaging and distribution of leafy greens in the United States.
Scenes from Field Study Tours
(click on photos to learn more)
Ali Bolourchi, an MBA alumnus and president of the Tsar Nicoulai Caviar sturgeon farm, led an exclusive tour of the eco-certified facility for MBA students.
Syngenta is a global, science-based agtech company made up of Crop Protection and Seeds business units with more than 30,000 employees in 90 countries.
Driscoll’s is the global market leader of fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.
Taylor Farms is the leading North American producer of salads and healthy fresh foods with production facilities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Taylor Farms is family owned and based in “The Salad Bowl of the World”, Salinas, California.
Kevin Leung MBA 23 and Thomas Henneman MBA 23 explore a vineyard during their International Study Trip in Chile where they took exclusive company tours include mining, biotech, farming and winemaking.
