Research, Development & Technology
Science & tech in the
region’s thriving
agriculture industry
With an impressive base of companies that operate alongside one another, and a close proximity to the state capital, Lodi offers a stable environment for companies looking to grow in a variety of sectors.
Anchored by a rich history in grape growing and agriculture, California’s San Joaquin Valley is home to the highest quality science and technology solutions delivered to the region’s thriving and still-evolving agriculture industry. Simply put, we call it smart farming.
Lodi and other regions in San Joaquin County, offer fertile ground for the incorporation of information, materials, and communication technologies into machinery, equipment, and even sensors for use in grape and other agricultural production. Agriculture in San Joaquin County routinely uses sophisticated technologies such as temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, and GPS to be more profitable, efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly.
From entrepreneurs like Lodi Mayor Mark Chandler to scientific researchers at the UC Cooperative Extension service, and from established businesses like Ag Industrial Machinery and Acampo Machine Works, patented and patent-pending technological solutions for the management of agricultural crops are tried and tested in Lodi.
Among them are Agrothermal Systems, a technological breakthrough for wine growers aimed at flavor development, enhancement of flowering, and deepening of color. Yield enhancement technology has also been integrated into olives, almonds, walnuts, and cherries.
Businesses, being driven by the high cost of labor and environmental regulations, are investing in cutting-edge technology being developed by local firms to keep them competitive worldwide. LangeTwins Winery and Vineyards, a relatively new vineyard in Lodi, dedicates itself to sustaining the environment by adopting solar energy, composting, and a high-technology energy efficient wastewater treatment system.
In addition to agricultural research and technology, other industries centering on technology have moved into Lodi and are gaining a strong foothold.
Advanced medical manufacturing, plastics, food processing and transportation/warehousing are relocating to Lodi because the cost of doing business is lower than in other parts of California. Transportation access, abundance of water, low cost land, and affordable, reliable municipal power serve as key location factors.