Cal Poly Strawberry Center

Cal Poly Strawberry Center The Strawberry Center is a research and education center at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Our mission is to ensure the sustainability of the CA strawberry industry through research and education that addresses grower needs.🍓

Field Day 2026 was one for the books! More than 600 strawberry growers, researchers, and industry representatives joined...
08/07/2026

Field Day 2026 was one for the books! More than 600 strawberry growers, researchers, and industry representatives joined us for the Center’s 10th Annual Field Day. 🍓 This year’s event featured 20 dynamic, hands-on demonstrations that are tackling current challenges within the strawberry industry. You can access the Field Day 2026 program booklet at the link in our bio.

A huge thank you to all who attended and to our amazing sponsors and in-kind donors who contributed to the success of this event. A special appreciation goes out to Plant Sciences Genetics for being our Lead Sponsor!

🚩 Field Day is TOMORROW! Check in starts at 7:30 a.m. 🚩Join over 600 strawberry growers, researchers and industry repres...
07/22/2026

🚩 Field Day is TOMORROW! Check in starts at 7:30 a.m. 🚩

Join over 600 strawberry growers, researchers and industry representatives from all over California and beyond. Get a firsthand look at ongoing trials and demonstrations on everything from automation to pest and disease management. The event ends with a complimentary lunch at 12 p.m. We can't wait to see you!

We’re proud to partner with SLO Food Bank’s Glean program, which rescues fresh produce from local farms, orchards, backy...
07/20/2026

We’re proud to partner with SLO Food Bank’s Glean program, which rescues fresh produce from local farms, orchards, backyards, and farmers’ markets that might otherwise go to waste. That food is then distributed through SLO Food Bank’s network of nonprofit agency partners and direct distributions across the county.

The GleanSLO team has been visiting the Strawberry Center for years, and we sincerely appreciate their incredible work and dedication!

Learn more about the program: https://slofoodbank.org/en/food-rescue/

🍓 Field Day is one WEEK away!Join over 600 strawberry growers, researchers and industry representatives from all over Ca...
07/16/2026

🍓 Field Day is one WEEK away!
Join over 600 strawberry growers, researchers and industry representatives from all over California and beyond on July 23rd. Get a firsthand look at ongoing trials and demonstrations on everything from automation to pest and disease management. Click the link in our bio to register. Some specific topics include:

🔬 Fungicide and insecticide trial data
☀️ UV-C and solar-powered tech
🪴 Cultivar updates and sanitation practices
🤝 Exhibitor stop and product update session
🚜 Automated transplanters, drone demos and more!

About 75% of California's strawberry crop is planted in the fall. The other 25% is planted late-May, June and July, but ...
07/14/2026

About 75% of California's strawberry crop is planted in the fall. The other 25% is planted late-May, June and July, but only in the southern districts. This summer planting is a good time to do research on Lygus bug , spider mites and spotted wing Drosophila. To that end, our amazing students and staff recently finished up the summer planting at Cal Poly.

After 6 months of cold storage at 28F, master's student Gabriela Torres aided by fellow students (Jitari Qalandar, Karla...
07/08/2026

After 6 months of cold storage at 28F, master's student Gabriela Torres aided by fellow students (Jitari Qalandar, Karla Rodriguez and Maria Alvarez Arredondo) evaluated bareroot plants for the presence and severity of the fungus Botrytis cinerea. We know this fungus primarily as the causal agent of Botrytis fruit rot but it will also rot bareroot plants during long-term cold storage.

Gabriela's experiment is examining the effects of soil moisture during harvest at the nursery with the level of Botrytis present after 6 months of cold storage. Results will help nurseries understand the interaction of soil moisture with the quality of plants after long-term cold storage and adjust practices to minimize the disease.

Three of our undergraduate students received Outstanding Senior Awards at the 2026 Plant Sciences End of Year Celebratio...
07/01/2026

Three of our undergraduate students received Outstanding Senior Awards at the 2026 Plant Sciences End of Year Celebration. A huge congratulations to Shaelyn Spencer, Sophie Rodriguez and Samantha Christie for their hardwork and dedication!

Congratulations to our amazing student employees and Master's students who officially graduated this year! We're proud o...
06/25/2026

Congratulations to our amazing student employees and Master's students who officially graduated this year! We're proud of your hard work, dedication and achievements.

Best wishes in all your future endeavors, Class of 2026! 🎓🎉

🚩🌱 Field Day is ONE month away!Join over 600 strawberry growers, researchers and industry representatives from all over ...
06/23/2026

🚩🌱 Field Day is ONE month away!

Join over 600 strawberry growers, researchers and industry representatives from all over California and beyond on July 23rd. Get a firsthand look at ongoing trials and demonstrations on everything from automation to pest and disease management. Some specific topics include:

🔬 Fungicide and insecticide trial data
☀️ UV-C and solar-powered tech
🌱 Cultivar updates and sanitation practices
🤝Exhibitor stop and product update session
🚜 Automated transplanters, drone demos and more!

06/17/2026

Michael Cleugh (VP of Operations for West Coast Berry Farms and General Manager of AgriFrost) gave a lecture at Cal Poly on the processing of strawberries.

Michael has been involved in processing and growing strawberries for decades. He is also a valued member of our Industry Advisory Council. Thank you Michael for making the trip to Cal Poly and sharing your knowledge and experience with our students!
Interested in watching the full lecture? View the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/bPdFfErop-g?si=Dkk30FTMZm30aHXe

Address

1 Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA
93405

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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