Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Horticulture and Crop Science Department

We wanted to share an exciting update about the expansion of our learning laboratories! In 2015, Cal Poly planted 1,500 new citrus trees to be used for teaching and research in an area of campus designated specifically for citrus varieties. This new citrus block was the first phase in a multi-year plan to increase learning opportunities for students. The second phase of the plan is underway this week and involves preparation for a spring 2021 planting of a deciduous orchard... that will include nut trees, stone fruit and pome fruits. The preparation includes the removal of one of Cal Poly’s oldest citrus groves, located off Highland Drive, which included 96 Satsuma trees. One hundred new Satsuma trees, a popular variety for locals during past u-pick events, will be grafted into the new citrus block and are expected to be producing fruit in about two years. Before removing the Satsuma trees, much of the fruit from the trees was harvested by students, with any remaining fruit picked by Glean SLO to be donated to the SLO Food Bank. In all, Cal Poly was able to donate about 2,000 pounds of fruit. Under the new stay-at-home order all u-pick events have been suspended until further notice. These changes will take some time and the continued support and efforts of our staff and industry supporters, but we're excited about providing a new high-quality, easily accessible deciduous orchard for Learn by Doing opportunities for students throughout the Horticulture and Crop Science Department, the college and the university, said Dan Chesini, plant science operations manager. The citrus block planted in 2015 is used for teaching and research opportunities. Earlier this year the Horticulture and Crop Science Department donated more than 12,000 pounds of citrus from the trees to two local organizations that are serving San Luis Obispo County residents in need during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Great news! Farm Supply in SLO now carries succulent plants from the Cal Poly Plant Shop. That means, when you shop at FSC in SLO you'll be able to purchase succulent plants locally grown by Cal Poly students. We are proud to partner with Farm Supply to provide our community with quality and locally grown plants.

Welcome Cal Poly students! The Horticulture and Crop Science Department wishes you the best of luck throughout the 20-21 school year. We will be here throughout the year with reminders, jobs, internships, and opportunities available to all of you!

Congratulations to Graduate student Minh Le on receiving 1st place in the ASHS Master's Students Poster Competition 2020! We at the HCS Department are so proud of you!

Cal Poly Farm Customers, Peach season at the Cal Poly Farm has officially ended. We wanted to thank all of you for your support and apologize that we were not able to accommodate everyone. We hope to be back in the early fall for u-pick apples - Fuji and Gala. We hope to see you then! In the mean time, our produce will still be available at Vons grocery store in SLO and through the Cal Poly Meat Processing Center (www.calpolymeats.com).... Thank you, CP Farm Crew

To Everyone involved in U-pick, If you sent me a message on Doodle poll, it seems I am unable to respond back to you and e-mail addresses are not included. I apologize for sending this out to everyone to reach a few! If you were unable to sign up for more than 1 spot, then the time was full. Please only bring the number of people you were able to enter a name for. Unfortunately, sending a message with the number you would like to bring won't work. If you would like to can...cel you reservation, you can e-mail me here. Thank you for being patient and working through this with us!

Hello Cal Poly Farm Customers! Below is the link for Thursday's (7/23) u-pick. After reviewing some of the other calendar options, it was decided that sticking with Doodle was the best choice. Apologies if it is not easy to use. Please do not e-mail with sign-ups or adjustments (unless it is a cancellation). We are unable to make those on our end. We are picking white peaches this week at $1.50/pound. Cash or Check only. Masks are required and we will supply you with a ...glove for picking. A map leading you to the spot is attached. Thank you all for your continued patience and support! I will send out the link for Friday's schedule later today and we hope to continue picking next week if the weather cooperates. https://doodle.com/poll/9cb8259bwgnu2w7q

Hello Cal Poly Farm Customers! Below is the link for Friday's (7/24) u-pick. Please do not e-mail with sign-ups or adjustments (unless it is a cancellation). We are unable to make those on our end. *Remember to make a separate entry for each member in your party. It is okay to type in the same name but a separate entry is required to reserve multiple spaces.... We are picking white peaches this week at $1.50/pound. Cash or Check only. Masks are required and we will supply you with a glove for picking. A map leading you to the spot is attached. Thank you all for your continued patience and support! https://doodle.com/poll/r2mxye5p6z9hz24x

Cal Poly Farm Customers, Below is the link to sign up for Tuesday's (7/21) u-pick. We are using a Doodle poll this week to help ease the process. You can still sign up for multiple slots under 1 time. Enter your name the same number of times for the total number in your party. If you are a party of 3, enter your name 3 times under the same time slot. This is only a poll for Tuesday.... The price will remain the same at $1.50/pound. We are picking white and yellow peaches. Please bring a mask (mandatory) and your own bag. Thank you for your patience with all of this. We are thrilled to have you all back! https://doodle.com/poll/4ptzand4ve69sde8

Reservations Now Available for Student-Run Succulentopia Plant Sale at Cal Poly! More than 100 varieties of student-grown succulents are now available for purchase at Poly Plant Shop at Cal Poly. The succulent plant sale, typically held during spring quarter in the college’s Horticulture Unit near the Poly Plant Shop, was moved to a reservation-based system to meet state physical distancing guidelines for COVID-19. For more information: https://calpolynews.calpoly.edu//succulentopia_reservations

Cal Poly Farm Customers, We are sold out of spots for this week. If you did not receive a confirmation reply from me with a day and time then we were not able to accommodate you this week. Apologies!

Cal Poly Farm Customers, Last week was a great kick off to peach u-picks! It was great seeing all of your faces again. We will host u-picks on Tuesday (7/14), Thursday (7/16) & Friday (7/17) this week from 9-12pm. Time will be reserved in 15 minutes increments (we discovered that you are quick pickers and didn't need the full 20 minutes!). Please respond with your preferred day, time (9, 9:15, 9:30,...) and how many will be in your party. 6 people max per time slot.... Please respond by emailing [email protected]. Until we have a better system, this is the only way to do it and we are trying to make it fair for everyone. Thank you!

Update: Cal Poly Farm Customers, This week's u-pick is full. We will put next week's schedule out on Monday. Apologies if we could not accommodate you!... I would suggest sending an email to [email protected], and ask to be added to the email list. There is a delay at the moment of getting information and getting it posted. If you are on the email list, you won't be delayed on hearing announcements. Thank you for understanding. We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!