Supercomputer Center launches at Fresno State
Regional partnership establishes innovation platform to expand access to computing power, technical support, and talent pathways that strengthen agricultural security and rural economic development
F3 Innovate (F3i), Fresno State, and the San Diego Supercomputer Center at UC San Diego today announced the launch of the F3i Supercomputing Center, a regional innovation platform providing the computing power, technical support and talent pathways needed to accelerate innovation across California's food and agriculture supply chain. The center represents a first-of-its-kind partnership between industry and higher education to expand access to the advanced computing infrastructure needed to compete in an AI-driven economy.
The universities, F3i and local leaders will celebrate the launch of the Supercomputer Center from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 9, in the Fresno State Library.
The event will include case studies and discussion about the center’s role in advancing the future of agriculture and food security, workforce development, regional economic development, and more.
The Central Valley produces a significant share of the nation's food, supports more than 14,000 farming and food-processing operations, serves as a critical logistics hub and is home to a growing network of manufacturers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and educational institutions. Like every major industry, agriculture is increasingly driven by data and information. From sensors, satellites and weather systems to farm equipment, supply chains and markets, today's technologies generate enormous amounts of data that require advanced computing to analyze and turn into better decisions. While these industries generate significant economic value, most of the investment supporting AI development, advanced computing and other emerging technologies has historically been located elsewhere.
The center brings advanced computing resources directly to the Central Valley. Instead of requiring businesses, researchers and educators to build their own computing systems, the F3i Supercomputing Center provides shared access to powerful computing resources and technical support, allowing growers, startups, students, and researchers to develop AI models and other advanced technologies that address real-world challenges across food and agriculture.
"Data and computing power are becoming foundational infrastructure for the global economy," said Priscilla Koepke, F3i chief executive officer. "The technologies shaping agriculture's future, from artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to robotics and biotechnology, all depend on the ability to process and apply massive amounts of information. This partnership creates the infrastructure, expertise and talent pipeline needed to ensure Central Valley agriculture remains globally competitive while accelerating innovation across the entire food and agriculture supply chain."
Fresno State will serve as the home of the center, expanding opportunities for applied research, workforce development and industry collaboration while reinforcing the university's role as California's leading agricultural university.
"Fresno State is excited to give our students, faculty, and industry partners access to technologies that are reshaping agriculture and the broader food system," said Dr. Bao Johri, vice president of information technology and chief information officer at Fresno State. "By hosting this center, Fresno State will help prepare the next generation of engineers, researchers, agricultural professionals, and entrepreneurs while strengthening the innovation ecosystem that supports the Central Valley's economy."
The partnership also leverages the nationally recognized expertise of the San Diego Supercomputer Center, which has spent decades advancing cyberinfrastructure for scientific research, including the development of the National Research Platform and National Data Platform with support from the National Science Foundation.
"High-performance computing has become essential infrastructure for research, innovation and economic competitiveness," said Frank Wuerthwein, Director of the San Diego Supercomputer Center. "Through this partnership, we are extending advanced computing capabilities beyond traditional research environments and into one of the nation's most important production economies. By combining our technical expertise with Fresno State's leadership in agriculture and workforce development and F3i’s deep connections to industry, we are creating a model for accelerating innovation across the food and agriculture supply chain."
The center will provide three integrated services:
Affordable High-Performance ComputingThe center offers shared access to advanced computing resources that enable growers, startups, students, and researchers to train AI models, process large datasets and test emerging technologies without making significant infrastructure investments.
Applied AI ServicesThe center provides technical expertise to help organizations identify opportunities, develop AI-enabled solutions and deploy advanced technologies that improve productivity, sustainability and efficiency across food and agriculture.
Workforce and Talent DevelopmentThrough F3i’s Data Challenges, AI Launchpad program with Microsoft, and other talent development programs, the center prepares students, educators, researchers and working professionals to use advanced computing and artificial intelligence in careers advancing agriculture’s next era.
The center is one part of F3 Innovate's broader strategy to strengthen the Central Valley's innovation ecosystem. By bringing together growers, universities, startups, investors, public partners, and workforce programs, F3i helps move promising ideas from research into real-world use, creating new businesses, preparing workers for emerging careers and accelerating the adoption of technologies that improve the competitiveness of California agriculture.
Media Contact
Emily Breslin | Communications Director, F3 Innovate
650-666-7521
