Before entering into the role of director of the nursery in the horticulture unit of the state of Fresno more than a year ago, Ernesto Duran had already seen how greenhouses can promote research and education for the benefit of students, researchers, industry and wider community professionals.
As a student in high school and college, he worked alongside the USDA research staff at San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center In Parlier. More than eight years, he has acquired practical experience in managing studies and field tests; collected samples and analyzed research data; and cultivated a variety of plants under rigorous federal research and production guidelines.
Duran’s expertise has helped guide a series of renovations and upgrades in the greenhouse facilities of the Fresno State horticulture unit.
“Working with our students has been great,” said Duran, “I enjoyed offering them practical experiences at all stages of the production of nursery plants. industry leaders. »»
The installation includes seven greenhouses – including a organic certified – a vertical development farm, a collection of reeds and a 10,000 square feet house for shaded culture.
It also houses a laboratory of propagation and cultivation of fabrics, a certified organic herbs garden, a vegetable demonstration garden with raised beds, two acres dedicated to the research / production of crops led by students and a plot of crèche cut flowers.
The additional areas include a collection of diversified cacti of 25 species, a composting area and an extended courtyard which is currently in development.
Automated systems advanced for irrigation, ventilation, heating and cooling are designed to increase efficiency while reducing operational costs. The new LINK4 solutions and hardware software and hardware equipment allows staff to monitor and adjust these systems in real time from cloud -based software – ensuring that optimal conditions are adapted to the needs of the factory and changing environmental factors.
The largest greenhouse has increased its growth capacity by more than 50% thanks to the installation of rolling benches. This upgrade maximizes the available space by eliminating the fixed aisles and improves the efficiency of the workflow, allowing easier access to plants and more flexible use of the growth area. The enlarged capacity supports a wider range of student projects, research tests and agricultural production, advancing more the role of installation for practical learning.
“These improvements will lead to long -term cost savings and more constant control of temperature, humidity and irrigation – areas with which we have had trouble in the past, often causing plant stress and hampered growth,” said Duran. “The renovations also make installation more scalable, which allows us to expand production and improve research with greater precision thanks to data -based management. With more stable conditions all year round, we will be able to offer a greater variety of high quality horticultural products. ”
The modernization of horticulture research installations of the Fresno state is one of the many major initiatives funded by single state funding to help modernize the campus farm facilities.
“I am happy that the project was successfully completed,” said Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire, dean of Jordan College. “These facilities will offer our students, teachers and staff access to an environmental agriculture installation at the cutting edge of technology.
A vertical hydroponic agricultural system, generously given by the supporter of the Jordan College and local resident William Luper, is installed and will serve as a demonstration of innovative techniques to maximize the production space. This hydroponic system will offer students practical opportunities to learn and apply modern agricultural methods. Designed mainly for students research, initial crops will include herbs, brassicas and strawberries, and the system can support future courses or independent study projects.
Several generous donors have supported current upgrades and the development of the horticulture unit.
Netafim has contributed to a variety of advanced irrigation systems, including a scoring system for the propagation greenhouse, a drip irrigation system and an air irrigation system for the LATH house. Hanford Superior Soil Supplements donated an outdoor soil mixture to support the production of nurseries. Horticulture of the sun has provided several quality products and supplements.
In addition, Belmont Nursery, Dave Wilson Nursery, Sierra View Nursery and Tree Fresno donated a diverse selection of plants and trees to improve new renovations of garden, land and landscape of the nursery.
Students actively integrate new projects, such as worms of worms and on -site composting areas that align with their research interests and promoted sustainable agricultural practices.
These initiatives support soil health and waste reduction and offer practical learning experiences that strengthen class concepts. As these projects develop, they can serve as precious models for the future development of the study program and community awareness.
The court of the establishment continues to evolve under the vision and orientation of Duran, which works to transform space into a dynamic center for campus and community activities. The objective is to create a welcoming environment for lessons, events and gatherings – or simply a peaceful place where students can study while enjoying the natural environment.
Along the eastern edge of the courtyard, six African Sumac trees and four strawberries were given last year by Tree Fresno, in partnership with the Fresno Chaffee zoo. These varieties were carefully selected by zoo staff for their drought tolerance and their nutritional value.
As they mature, they will serve a double goal – offering an essential shade to the Court and producing navigation equipment to help feed the large mammals of the zoo, including elephants and giraffes.
Plans are in place to introduce to an additional drought tolerant plant species in the region, further improving space while providing a lasting source of fodder for zoo animals.
All these areas serve as a practical laboratory for Jordan College students.
The introduction to the ornamental horticulture class, taught by the Faculty of Plant Sciences Ron Nishinakais a springboard for students from various departments, who include aspiring agricultural education teachers who will soon work with high school lessons and FFA chapters.
Their weekly laboratories provide expert advice from Duran and Nishinaka, one of the most respected horticulturalists in the region. The class has planted three Chinese pistachios in front of the horticulture unit The self-pace of campus staff.
Additional plants in plant sciences provide students with practical practical learning possibilities, covering a wide range of subjects such as the analysis and propagation of plant tissues, entomology, plant pathology, soil and weed sciences.
THE Sciences plant Also uses a plot of a half-acting per unity for its independent study research and its courses where students apply principles of agronomy of their classes to develop various cultures in row. Club members often get their own irrigation transplants and equipment, then give products to Fresno State Amendola Family Student in Cabinet and other food shelters in the region.
In addition to working with five assistant students, Duran joined the campus staff California California Corps Action Corpswhich employs staff on campus for 11 -month -old mandates. These scholarship holders, many of whom are alumni of Fresno State, manage a compost project with unused food from the campus. They create and maintain native garden plots and help the needs related to the nursery.
The establishment of relations is important for Duran, who considers other local nurseries such as key partners and supporters. Students in factory sciences can take knowledge of their courses and laboratories on the campus to work in local nurseries or to better plan projects for their professional, domiciliary or central landscapes.
“It is important for our campus and our community to see all these updates,” said Duran. “We are trying to help the establishment stay up to date with industry standards, improve both the quality of the plants we produce and the possibilities of learning or research for students.”
Duran, who graduated from Reedley College and Chico State by focusing on plant sciences and land resources and soil management, thought that he could possibly work for a national organization like the US Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management.
However, he could not allow the chance to apply to a position at Fresno State to share his knowledge. The college also feels lucky to find someone with their large set of skills, not to mention their previous research experience in pathology, entomology and biochemistry.
“I have always had a passion for agriculture, so what better way to return to the central valley and apply what I learned to help students and this community,” said Duran. “Plant science offers a wide range of different careers and areas where you can implement principles of sustainability. There is also the possibility of integrating research with conventional means of agriculture, while also incorporating more recent and more holistic principles. ”