Join NCIFT as we learn about the Lab@AgStart in downtown Woodland and two companies that work from the space, TurtleTree and FRINJ Coffee!

AgStart's mission is to accelerate Ag | Food | Health innovation in the Northern California region. Our Lab@AgStart incubator in downtown Woodland houses the Yocha Dehe Lab (a fully-equipped shared wet-chemistry laboratory), the Raley's Food Lab (a certified kitchen space for food innovators), co-working and dedicated office space and conference/meeting rooms. In 2022, AgStart will launch an expansion of its Lab@AgStart facility, nearly doubling its capacity and adding dedicated fermentation and tissue culture facilities. In addition, AgStart provides innovators with education, mentoring and connections to potential collaborators, customers and investors. AgStart has helped hundreds of innovators and startups since opening in 2021, and we are part of the region’s thriving innovation ecosystem. Our network-centric model helps entrepreneurs gain access to resources that new companies need to thrive. AgStart is a non-profit program supported through membership fees and the generous support of our corporate and other sponsors. Innovators interested in The Lab@AgStart facilities can learn more and contact AgStart through its website at www.agstart.org.

Dr. Vanessa Castagna is the Scientific Affairs Liaison at TurtleTree, a biotech company that produces bioactive milk ingredients through fermentation. With a PhD in Nutritional Immunology and experience across both science and education, Vanessa has a unique ability to bridge industries, regulatory agencies, and research institutions. At TurtleTree, Vanessa connects science and business by liaising with key opinion leaders, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.

Juan Medrano CTO of FRINJ Coffee Dr. Medrano’s research at UC Davis has focused on animal and plant genomics. Currently, he serves as a member of the USDA Coffee and Cacao Crop Germplasm Committee and is a member of the UC Davis Coffee Center.

Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through or bounce an idea off a neutral party. That’s why connecting with local peers and people working in similar environments or disciplines is essential for career success. When you join the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), you gain access to our expansive community of science of food professionals. Learn more about the benefits of an IFT membership. https://www.ift.org/whatdrives...