Research & Information Centers

The Research and Information Centers are a focal point for interaction between external stakeholders, California consumers and the research and educational resources of the University of California. The RICs represent a collaboration among researchers to distribute knowledge for the benefit of agriculture and the preservation of natural resources.

The RICs are funded, in part, by the Ralph E. Myers Fund, which was established in 1952 to support agricultural research. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) administers the endowment and partners with the RICs to carry out their research and extension activities. Additional funding comes from the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences and funds generated by the individual RICs.

RIC areas of expertise include agronomy, fruits and nuts, nursery and floriculture, postharvest, rangelands, seed biotechnology, vegetables and weeds. The RICs are housed at the UC Davis campus and are closely engaged with UC research and extension personnel at county Cooperative Extension offices, Research and Extension Centers, and other UC campuses (UC Riverside, UC Merced and UC Berkeley). These collaborations are vital in advancing UC’s land grant mission.