http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/index.php/agriculture/2715-csu-fresno-completes-new-citrus-grove

CSU, Fresno completes new citrus grove
Written by Business Journal staff
Thursday, 22 October 2009 12:10

The planting of 20 acres of new citrus trees at California State Univesity, Fresno will be complete tomorrow with a ceremony highlighting an advanced irrigation system that monitors soil and water conditions using Web-based technology.

The grove was made possible by a $200,000 donation in 2007 by Paramount Citrus, a citrus grower, packer and shipper based in Delano.

The bequest established the Advanced Teaching and Research Field Laboratory for Citriculture, provided citrus trees, supplies and funds to develop the orchard and named CSU, Fresno student Matt Smith as the first Paramount Citrus Fellow, allowing him to attend the orchard and work at Paramount's S&J Ranches in Madera. The gift also provided an irrigation system that is expected to save water through microsprinklers that use a varying amount in each part of the grove depending on the soil structure.

Tomorrow's event will feature the planting of the orchard's final tree at 10 a.m. CSU, Fresno President John Welty will make an address along with Dr. Charles Boyer, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Kevin Olson of Paramount Citrus. The orchard will be the newest addition to the university's 1,000-acre farm.