Visiting the Farm

Our University Farm serves as the center for agricultural education, literacy and research for a significant portion of Northern California. We welcome opportunities to show off our “living laboratory” to students, youth, farmers and ranchers, and the public. We also take seriously our obligation to safety, biosecurity, and our primary mission of educating our students. Please read and abide by the following policies if you are considering a visit to the University Farm.

Biosecurity refers to measures that are taken to stop the spread or introduction of harmful organisms to human, animal and plant life.

Prospective Students

As the living laboratory for the College of Agriculture, high school and community college students who are considering majoring in agriculture at Chico State are encouraged to visit the University Farm as part of their college exploration. We are excited to introduce potential students and parents to members of our College of Agriculture Student Success Office in both group and individual settings. 

• Submit the Recruitment  Farm Tour Request Form preferabaly two weeks in advance.
• Questions can be directed to 530-898-4262 or dcrosswhite@csuchico.edu

• If you are a High School Ag teacher or Community College faculty or a community member we will do our best to work with you to create a tour that is valuable to your group.  
• Contact the farm office at 530-898-6343 to arrange an available date and time.  

• All visitors must check in at the farm office.
• Agricultural producers who visit the Farm are requested to be careful with any potential exposure to pests and disease prior to visiting. This includes wearing clean shoes/boots when on the tour, and wearing disposable boots as requested by Farm staff.
• No livestock can be delivered to the Farm without the approval of the Farm Administrator.
• All persons who volunteer at the Farm in any capacity must complete a Volunteer form in advance, that will be filed in the Farm Office and with Risk Management.
• Call the Farm Office at 530-898-6343 for more information.

• How much does a field trip cost?
  1. There is no cost to tour the University Farm.

• How long does a tour take?
  1. Depending on the tour experience you are seeking, a tour of the University Farm is between 1 and 2 hours.

• Where do I go?
  1. Guests should park in front of the University Farm Office or across in the large gravel parking lot in front of the Farm Pavilion

• Is this a walking tour?
  1. We offer both walking and riding tours. Should visitors need assistance getting around the farm we do have tractor trailers available to use.

• Can I wear sandals?
  1. We encourage farm tour guests to wear closed toes comfortable shoes.

• Do visitors get to go into the animal pens?
  1. To follow our biosecurity measures, visitors are not to open any gates or walk into closed areas such as animal pens unless instructed to do so.

• Can a parent chaperone bring other children on the school farm field trip?
  1. Children not enrolled in the class who have signed up for the field trip are not allowed to attend the farm tour.

• Can I take photos on the farm tour?
  1. Yes, we encourage you to capture the tour experience. Please ask the tour guide before taking photos of the units.

• What happens if I show up late?
  1. We ask that farm tour visitors arrive at the scheduled time to respect the farm staff and students schedules. A late start may impact your experience as well as ability to see everything. If you experience an issue while traveling to the farm we encourage you to call the Farm Office at 530-898-6343 to give them a heads up.