Federally-provided research technology with commercial applications in the agriculture sector will be the focus of the Fresno Agriculture Technology Showcase, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Fresno City Hall (2600 Fresno St., Rm. 2097).

Hosted by the City of Fresno, the event will feature broad-band water management technologies developed by the U.S. Department of Agricultural Research Service and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.

The federal laboratories are seeking private partners to optimize and commercialize their technologies through patent licenses, cooperative research and development agreements.

Three Fresno State programs — the Central Valley Business Incubator, the Water, Energy and Technology Center and the Office of Community and Economic Development — are co-organizing this event in support of developing agriculture technology enterprises in Fresno.

Arising from collaboration between U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the Strong Cities, Strong Communities Fresno pilot project, the event was created for entrepreneurs, agriculture technology businesses and venture capital investors from Fresno and across the nation.

Participants will learn about technologies developed by USDA and DOE such as:

  • Infrared thermometry for managing deficit irrigation in peaches
  • Web-based crop evapotranspiration maps for the California San Joaquin Valley using satellite remote sensing
  • Winery wastewater as an irrigation water source
  • Precision irrigation management for variable-rate sprinkler irrigation systems
  • Groundwater age-dating for water resource characterization
  • Wireless sensors for detection of nitrate and other chemicals
  • Predicting key water management variables

The showcase begins at 1 p.m. with a welcome by Marianne Dunklin of Central Valley Business Incubator.

Comments will be presented by Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin; Glenda Humiston, USDA Rural Development state director; Robert Tse, USDA Rural Development; Andrew Hammond, USDA, ARS Pacific West Area director; David Nicholson, USDA ARS Technology Transfer coordinator; and Mark Jackson, Blue Dolphin Engineering.

From 1-3 p.m. scientists and technologists will present their technologies and inventions in the exhibition area and be available for discussion with participants.

Technology presentations will be 1:40-4:50 p.m. in the Council Chambers, where the scientists will demonstrate their inventions and take questions in prescheduled time slots. Private meetings with interested investors and licensees will be prescheduled.

For more information on the event, the BlueTechValley Initiative, or the Strong Cities, Strong Communities Program, contact Barbara Rodiek at 559.292.9033 x105 or barbara@cvbi.org.

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