UC Davis seed biotechnology center seeks funding

The Seed Biotechnology Center at the University of California, Davis, recently called on members of the agriculture, biotechnology and seed industries to help meet a $2.5 million fundraising goal set to establish an endowed chair position at the center. The position is being created in honor of Dr. Kent Bradford, the
center’s founder and director, and a plant sciences professor. “Reaching this goal will allow for the ongoing management and operation of the center and help to preserve its leading position in research and education,” said Helene Dillard, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Limagrain, the world’s fourth largest seed company, responded to the call by announcing that it will make a gift of US $500,000 to help establish the endowed chair position.

The announcement was made on March 12, at the Seed Central event at UC Davis, a monthly gathering of industry professionals, students and professors organized through the SBC.

The company’s partnership with UC Davis originated through its relationship with HM.CLAUSE, a Business Unit of Limagrain with headquarters in Davis, California as well as in Portes-lès-Valence, France.

While the gift from Limagrain is the first contribution in support of this initiative, it is expected that other organizations from the seed industry and the wider agricultural community will soon follow suit.

For more information on this initiative, please click here.

For more information:
Ann K. Filmer
UC Davis
Tel: +1 530-754-6788

Véronique Lafenechere
HM.CLAUSE
Tel: + 33 (0)642 210 472

Marie-Laure Joblon
Limagrain
Tel: + 33 (0)633 518 033