College of Agriculture

The University Farm

Learn About the Farm

Agriculture can’t be learned solely from a textbook. That’s why our 800-acre Paul L. Byrne Memorial University Farm is so important to our educational program. It’s the place where our students literally get their hands dirty putting into practice the concepts they learn in the classroom.

The University Farm was established in 1960 through the efforts of its namesake, Senator Paul L. Byrne. The facility supports classes in agriculture in the same way a chemistry lab supports its discipline. Whether participating in class labs or working as part-time employees, thousands of students have benefited from the University Farm, located on Hegan Lane, five miles south of the main CSU, Chico campus.

The farm serves more than just students. Farmers and ranchers benefit from research conducted on the farm, and the farm’s produce and meat sales have long been popular in the Chico community. Grade-school field trips are also a long-standing Chico tradition. Thousands of children tour the farm annually. For most of them it is their first exposure to live farm animals and hands-on interaction with farming. The farm is also the site of countless professional seminars and Future Farmers of America and 4-H field days.

Contact Us

You may contact the farm office by calling 530-898-6343.

Directions to the farm