Episode Details

Just like the industry it is serving, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Strawberry Center has grown a lot in the last decade. 

This year’s 10th annual field day attracted more than 600 growers, scientists and industry members.  While the California strawberry crop value has increased markedly to $3.5 billion last year, work at Cal Poly has intensified.

“The three main areas we cover are entomology, plant pathology and automation,” said founding director, Gerald Holmes. “Part of our mission statement is that the research and education that we do addresses grower’s needs. If we’re not doing that, we’re not doing our job.”

Automation is a top industry focus because about 60 percent of a grower’s expenses come from labor. Innovations of interest include robotic harvesters, a double-barreled bug vacuum and an autonomous pest and disease control using ultraviolet light.

Find out more about the strawberry center at strawberry.calpoly.edu.