Cynthia Daley

Dr. Cynthia Daley is a nationally recognized leader in regenerative agriculture and currently serves as Director and Co-founder of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture & Resilient Systems at California State University, Chico. A dedicated educator, researcher, and advocate, Dr. Daley has spent her career working at the intersection of sustainable farming, education, and environmental resilience.

Originally from Illinois, Dr. Daley grew up in a multigenerational farming family with deep roots in Midwestern agriculture. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and completed her doctorate at the University of California, Davis.

Since joining the College of Agriculture at CSU Chico in 1997, Dr. Daley has launched several pioneering initiatives to promote ecological farming systems. In 2006, she established the Regenerative/Organic Dairy Program in collaboration with leaders in the organic dairy industry, creating one of the first programs of its kind in the western United States. Recognizing the urgent need to scale regenerative solutions, she co-founded the Regenerative Agriculture Initiative in 2016, which she successfully led to Center status in 2019.

Under her leadership, the Center for Regenerative Agriculture & Resilient Systems has become a nationally respected hub for interdisciplinary research, farmer education, and policy advocacy. The Center brings together faculty, producers, and community partners to promote regenerative farming practices that enhance soil health, conserve water, sequester carbon, and support rural resilience. Its core mission is rooted in the belief that agriculture, when practiced regeneratively, offers a vital pathway to reversing soil degradation and addressing climate change.

Dr. Daley is also the former Rawlins Endowed Professor for Environmental Literacy at CSU Chico, a role through which she championed education and outreach on environmental issues and sustainable food systems. Her work continues to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders committed to building a more resilient and regenerative future.