Visit to biotech and agri-food research facilities in the Sacramento region
2025/5/21
Greeting from CDFA Secretary Karen Ross
Explantion of GSEC by Mr. Adrian
On Wednesday, May 14th, CGJSF Consuls Ando and Kobayashi organized a special tour with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC), which attracts and supports businesses in the Sacramento region, and visited facilities related to biotechnology, agri-food development and more in the Sacramento area. The delegation included Vice Chairman Kazunori Kato and representatives from 12 companies supporting the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California (JCCNC) such as Norinchukin Bank, Kagome, Sakata Seed, and Salad Cosmo, as well as the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) San Francisco office.
At the start of the visit, California Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross welcomed the delegation, followed by an overview of the JCCNC by Vice Chairman Kato, and an overview of GSEC and the Sacramento area by GSEC Vice President Troels Adrian. Afterwards, a briefing was given on Aggie Square, opened its doors on Friday, May 2nd as an innovation hub for biotechnology and other fields, followed by a tour of the facility.
After a lunch meeting with Sacramento area officials and Pat Fong Kushida of the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce, the participants visited Bayer LifeHub, where they received an overview of AgStart, a non-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs in the fields of agri-food and healthcare, and a tour of LifeHub, an open innovation facility run by Bayer Inc. Finally, the participants visited UC Davis, where they were given an overview of Food Science laboratory facilities and collaboration programs with companies in the agri-food field, as well as efforts to support startups and a first-hand look at ongoing research.
This series of facility visits was an opportunity for the Consulate and the participating Japanese companies to understand biotechnology and agri-food development in the Sacramento area which has seen remarkable economic growth in recent years, and to expand their network with organizations at the heart of the ecosystem.
At the start of the visit, California Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross welcomed the delegation, followed by an overview of the JCCNC by Vice Chairman Kato, and an overview of GSEC and the Sacramento area by GSEC Vice President Troels Adrian. Afterwards, a briefing was given on Aggie Square, opened its doors on Friday, May 2nd as an innovation hub for biotechnology and other fields, followed by a tour of the facility.
After a lunch meeting with Sacramento area officials and Pat Fong Kushida of the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce, the participants visited Bayer LifeHub, where they received an overview of AgStart, a non-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs in the fields of agri-food and healthcare, and a tour of LifeHub, an open innovation facility run by Bayer Inc. Finally, the participants visited UC Davis, where they were given an overview of Food Science laboratory facilities and collaboration programs with companies in the agri-food field, as well as efforts to support startups and a first-hand look at ongoing research.
This series of facility visits was an opportunity for the Consulate and the participating Japanese companies to understand biotechnology and agri-food development in the Sacramento area which has seen remarkable economic growth in recent years, and to expand their network with organizations at the heart of the ecosystem.
UC Davis involvement in Aggie Square from Mr. Baxter
Group photo with Secretary Ross
Group photo with Ms. Kushida and others
Overview of AgStart
Overview of UC Davis programs
Group photo after UC Davis tour
