University Farm to Open Seasonal Farm Stand on Hegan Lane

Jul 09, 2024

By Ashley Gebb

Summer Sweet Corn to Start Sales, Followed by Melons

From peaches and pastrami to pumpkins and poinsettias, the University Farm at Chico State takes great pride in offering its products to the broader community. Soon, the iconic learning lab will expand its public sales with a roadside farm stand at the corner of Nicholas C. Shouten and Hegan lanes.

Scheduled to open July 10, the summer’s offerings will start with a bumper crop of sweet corn and likely expand to melons. Chico State students will staff the stand from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday to Friday, with ears priced at $5 for a dozen or 50 cents each. Checks and cash will be accepted as payment.

“This bicolor corn is as sweet as it is beautiful, and will make a great addition to summer tables,” said Kevin Renker (Agricultural Business, ’06), row crops specialist at the University Farm. “We’re thrilled to have this new offering and hope the community will be equally excited. We’re just a short drive from the heart of Chico for some of the freshest corn you can find in Butte County.”

The farm planted 12 acres to allow for staggered harvests into September. Seeded watermelons, cantaloupes and sunflowers for cut flowers have also been planted. The money raised from sales will help support the College of Agriculture’s row crop program, where students learn the fundamentals and support research into one of the state’s top industries.

“The University Farm is an invaluable hands-on aspect of our students’ experience in the College of Agriculture,” said University Farm Director Ricardo Orellana. “Whether planting, picking, studying irrigation and pest control, or supporting sales firsthand, these hands-on learning opportunities prepare the agricultural leaders of tomorrow.”

Source : csuchico.edu

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.