University Inducted into Calif. Agricultural Heritage Club

California State University, Chico was inducted into the California Agricultural Heritage Club at an awards brunch held at the California State Fair on July 29, 2011. The Heritage Club recognizes farms, ranches, organizations, and agricultural businesses that have operated in the state for at least a century.

The history of CSU, Chico goes back to 1887 when Chico’s founder General John Bidwell donated eight acres of a cherry orchard to construct Chico State Normal School. The first 90 students arrived two years later in 1889. The agriculture program began at then Chico State College in 1953, followed by the establishment of the college farm in 1960 through the efforts of its namesake, Senator Paul L. Byrne. 

Today the College of Agriculture consists of approximately 550 students and 23 faculty. The 800-acre Paul L. Byrne Agricultural Teaching and Research Center (University Farm) provides the hands-on component for agriculture courses, research projects, and student employees. 

The California Agriculture Heritage Club was created in 1948 on the 100^th anniversary of the discovery of gold in California, and was known then as the “100 Year Club.” The Heritage Club receive its new name when it was later expanded to honor farms, ranches, and agribusinesses that had reach the 100-, 125-, 150-, and 175-year milestones. Nineteen businesses and organizations, including CSU, Chico, were added to the 100-year Agricultural Heritage Club in 2011.