Cal State Monterey Bay had an exciting start to the semester with the first students entering our new mechatronic engineering program — which combines mechanical, electrical, software and systems engineering skills — and the project launch of our Edward “Ted” Taylor Science and Engineering Building.
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary at Cal State Monterey Bay, we are focused on the future of the university and ways we can enrich the community around us. That includes supporting one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country. In Monterey County, agriculture makes up the largest segment of workers by industry, and the Farm Bureau reported contributions of at least $3.9B per year, with our region supplying up to 61% of leaf lettuce for the nation.
Growing numbers of graduating seniors from King City to Salinas and across our county are pursuing careers in the agricultural sector. Our top-ranked university offers accessible, high-quality education and opportunities for all students in our region.
Over the past five years, Cal State Monterey Bay has been dedicated to supporting these students, resulting in significant growth in agricultural enrollment. Our rapidly expanding Agricultural Plant and Soil Sciences program, with approximately 83% of graduates remaining in the region, along with our new Mechatronic Engineering program and the upcoming Agribusiness Supply Chain Management degree launching in Fall 2025, position Cal State Monterey Bay as a leader in agricultural technology education.
Cal State Monterey Bay faculty members have played a crucial role in securing key grants in recent years, including $30 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These funds support collaborations with UCSC, Hartnell and the CSU Agricultural Research Institute to provide internships, field experiences for students and advancements in agricultural technology. Additionally, substantial funding has been secured from federal, state and private sources for applied research.
The growth and success of Cal State Monterey Bay’s agricultural technology programs are crucial for advancing and meeting the needs of these evolving industries across the region. Our achievements in this area are vital for the future of this regional economic sector and essential for the prosperity of our community.
Cal State Monterey Bay is committed to developing state-of-the-art facilities that offer our students hands-on learning experiences essential for their success and enable research to address industry challenges. The Edward “Ted” Taylor Science and Engineering Building is a key component of the infrastructure supporting both our students and faculty.
We also plan to establish a research and teaching farm and a greenhouse complex on approximately 10 acres of campus land. With this new building, our greenhouses and the university farm, we will be able to expand on the significant contributions our faculty and students are already making in agricultural research and support.
We have valuable partnerships within the agricultural community and would like to express our gratitude to the generous community members and businesses in the industry who have supported our new science and engineering building. It is the result of collaborative efforts, including philanthropic contributions, federal support, and the commitment of our university community. We thank Bruce and Linda Taylor, the entire Taylor family and Taylor Farms for their support. Naming this building after Ted Taylor, a renowned leader in Salinas agriculture, reflects Taylor Farms’ dedication to innovation and regional economic growth.
We are grateful to Congressman Jimmy Panetta and NOAA for their essential federal support, as well as to Julie Packard, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Sally Hughes Church Foundation, Roberta “Bertie” Bialek Elliott, and others for their generous donations, which have significantly enhanced our engineering and marine science programs and facilities.
Our Greenhouse Complex and Teaching/Research Farm has also garnered strong support from the Tanimura Family Foundation, the Rick and Tonya Antle Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, the Harden Foundation, David and Susan Gill, and Wilber Ellis. In addition, the USDA NextGen Grant will support equipment for the greenhouses. Our Agribusiness Supply Chain Management Program has received support from more than two dozen philanthropic gifts supporting the new degree.
At Cal State Monterey Bay, we are dedicated to advancing social mobility for first-generation and diverse students. Our affordable education equips them with essential skills for impactful careers, which benefits our region’s economy. As agribusiness grows, it will create valuable job opportunities and offer a bright future for our alumni and the Monterey Bay community.
We have begun a transformative change through our growing agricultural programs and now we invite the community to join us in shaping the future of our region. Together, we will continue our momentum and create sustainable and innovative agricultural practices that build on our history as pioneers in the industry. We find “Strength in Us.”
Vanya Quiñones is the president of Cal State Monterey Bay.
