Propagation, specialty crops, and controlled-environment research at ESF
Beyond field-scale production, ESF maintains greenhouse facilities for propagation, specialty crop research, and controlled environment studies. Our greenhouse program focuses on high-value crops suited to the Central Valley climate.
The greenhouse also supports field research across the farm: many crops are started inside before being transplanted to the plots outside.
Research and production projects running at ESF this season, with the teams behind them.
Studying how solar-panel shade affects crop production, water use, working conditions, and energy generation.
Technology-supported production of corn, squash, watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe.
Testing whether compost can reduce synthetic nitrogen use while maintaining tomato yields and improving soil health.
Evaluating compost made from cotton and green waste with different fertilizer rates.
Testing engineered and natural infiltration methods to support groundwater recharge.
Using movable solar panels to study crop shading, heat stress, microclimate, and water use.
Studying biochar and other treatments in food-waste composting.
Producing California native grasses, wildflowers, milkweed, and other plants in partnership with Valley Eco.
Comparing regenerative and conventional almond-production practices.
Grown with Valley Eco across blocks ESF 10, 11 and 20.
Additional tomato studies
Led by Scott Stoddard, UCCE.
AI Gen Robotic Weeding
Testing robotic technology for automated weed management.
Guayule Research
Evaluating guayule as a drought-tolerant crop. The work later moved to the nursery near the greenhouse.
Three Sisters Diversity Project
A Stanford University project focused on diverse cropping systems, later moved to the nursery near the greenhouse.
Floating Solar Panel Study
Evaluating floating solar-energy systems installed in the main reservoir.
Agave and Native Plant Intercropping
Growing agave interseeded with native plants for seed production.
Native Use Garden
Producing plant materials for basket weaving and other traditional uses by Indigenous tribal communities.
Compost Hub
Composting food waste collected from the UC Merced campus.
Danny Royer is the ESF and Greenhouse Coordinator.
Email droyer@ucmerced.edu