ASI's founding director Tom Tomich is now a 2020 member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). AAAS, founded in 1848, seeks to "advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people [...] [it was] the first permanent organization formed to promote the development of science and engineering at the national level and to represent the interests of all its disciplines."
With UC Davis recent designation as Hispanic Serving Institution, the Student Farm hopes to continue these collaborations with the Chicanx Studies department. The Student Farm and the CHI department see great potential in increasing this impact through further utilization of the farm space, primarily through the development of interdisciplinary and culturally relevant STEM focused courses. As the HSI process develops at UC Davis, the Student Farm and Dr.
The Student Collaborative Organic Plant Breeding Education (SCOPE) project is a student-led collaborative of faculty and student plant breeders working with local organic growers on improving crop varieties for organic farming systems in Northern California, with the possibility of future expansion to other regions. Using traditional, field-based plant breeding methods, new varieties of heirloom-like tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, bell peppers, pest resistant common bean, and lima bean are being developed on certified organic land at The Student Farm at UC Davis.
The Inter-institutional Network for Food, Agriculture and Sustainability (INFAS) is a national network of university and college educators, researchers, and activists, representing 25 institutions and spanning 20 states, who collaborate in analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving with practitioners to increase U.S. food-system resilience; to illuminate critical trends and common stewardship of public goods essential for food systems, such as water, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and public institutions; and to reduce inequity and vulnerability in the U.S. food system.
The western region of the UC Davis campus is home to the Student Farm, cooperative student housing, a community garden, and more. Students, staff, and faculty are working together to envision how these spaces on campus can transform into a collaborative whole, providing students with a place to actively experiment with farming and the built environment to look for integrated solution to living sustainably with limited resources.
