UC-Davis Seed Biotech Center Receives Funds For Continued Innovation
March 24, 2015 The Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) at the University of California, Davis, recently received $500,000 in funds from Limagrain, the world’s fourth largest seed company, to help meet a $2.5 million fundraising goal to establish an endowed chair position at the center.
The center called on members of the agriculture, biotechnology, and seed industries to help meet their fundraising goals. 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.
According to a press release, Limagrain responded to the call by announcing that it will make a gift of $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.
“At Limagrain, we recognize the value of long-term relationships and investments in the future. This gift is aligned with our strategic goal of supporting the future of the seed industry, not just in France, but around the world,” said Daniel Chéron, CEO of Limagrain.
The company’s partnership with UC-Davis originated through its relationship with HM.CLAUSE, a business unit of Limagrain with headquarters in Davis, CA, as well as in Portes-lès-Valence, France. “For over 100 years, UC-Davis been a world leader in plant breeding and agricultural science. The university has paved the way for research breakthroughs in genomics, plant breeding, and seed science that have benefited not only the ag industry but consumers at large,” said André Cariou, vice president of Global Sales for HM.CLAUSE.
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 visit: http://sbc.ucdavis.edu/About_US/An_Endowment_for_the_Future/
Subscribe Today For
