Resnick agricultural research centre opens at UC Davis
The 34,000-square-foot facility follows a $50 million pledge made by philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick in 2022.
A new agricultural research centre opened at the University of California, Davis, in May 2026, following a $50 million donation from philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick. According to the Times of India, the Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation is a 34,000-square-foot, two-storey building located on the western side of the university campus in California.
The couple, who are co-owners of The Wonderful Company, made the pledge in October 2022. The contribution was divided into $40 million for the development of the research facility and $10 million for the Resnick Agricultural Innovation Research Fund to support research grants.
The centre is designed to bring agricultural science, technology, and education together to address challenges such as crop resilience, resource efficiency, and food production. Research areas include using water and energy more efficiently, developing advanced technologies, and finding new uses for agricultural byproducts like pistachio shells and pomegranate residues.
The facility includes laboratories, classrooms, and spaces for testing technologies such as robotics, sensors, artificial intelligence, and data science. The building is LEED-certified, all-electric, and uses solar power for its energy requirements.
The centre officially opened on May 19, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by university leaders, students, faculty, and the Resnicks.