The UC Merced Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) serves as a collaborative hub for students, researchers, farmers, and industry leaders. AES anchors two primary innovation incubators: the Greenhouse and the Experimental Smart Farm (ESF).
The Experimental Smart Farm (ESF), launched in 2021 with a $5 million State of California investment, is UC Merced’s AES site and a 45-acre living laboratory. Using advanced state-of-the-art sensors, the ESF provides researchers with real-time data on weather, soil moisture, and plant health to optimize operations and accelerate sustainable agriculture. Former SNRI Faculty Director Dr. Tom Harmon co-led efforts to develop the Experimental Smart Farm, and SNRI faculty and researchers actively use the site for a wide range of research and outreach.
