Before stepping into the role as nursery manager at the Fresno State Horticulture Unit over a year ago, Ernesto Duran had already witnessed how greenhouses can foster research and education to benefit students, researchers, industry professionals and the broader community.
As both a high school and college student, he worked alongside USDA research staff at the San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center in Parlier. Over eight years, he gained hands-on experience managing field studies and trials; collected samples and analyzed research data; and cultivated a variety of plants under rigorous state and federal research and production guidelines.
Duran’s expertise helped guide a series of renovations and upgrades at the Fresno State Horticulture Unit’s greenhouse facilities.
“Working with our students has been great,” Duran said, “I’ve enjoyed providing hands-on experiences for them in all stages of nursery plant production. This past year has set the stage for a transformative chapter at the horticulture unit, where innovative technology and forward-thinking management principles are beginning to take root. Fueled by the passion of our students and the momentum of new research, we envision a thriving hub that cultivates innovation and fosters dynamic partnerships with our community and industry leaders.”
The facility features seven greenhouses — including one certified organic — a developing vertical farm, rose garden collection and a 10,000-square-foot lath house for shaded cultivation.
It also houses a propagation and tissue culture lab, a certified organic herb garden, a vegetable demonstration garden area with raised beds, two acres dedicated to student-led crop research/production and a plot for nursery-cut flower production.
Additional areas include a diverse, 25-species cactus collection, a composting area and an expanded courtyard that is currently in development.
Advanced automated systems for irrigation, ventilation, heating and cooling are designed to boost efficiency while reducing operational costs. The new software and hardware from Link4 solutions allow staff to monitor and adjust these systems in real time from cloud-based software — ensuring optimal conditions are tailored to both plant needs and changing environmental factors.
The largest greenhouse has increased its growing capacity by more than 50% through the installation of rolling benches. This upgrade maximizes available space by eliminating fixed aisles, and enhances workflow efficiency, allowing for easier access to plants and more flexible use of the growing area. The expanded capacity supports a broader range of student projects, research trials and crop production, further advancing the facility’s role for hands-on learning.
“These improvements will lead to long-term cost savings and more consistent control of temperature, humidity and irrigation — areas where we’ve struggled with in the past, often resulting in plant stress and hindered growth,” Duran said. “The renovations also make the facility more scalable, allowing us to expand production and enhance research with greater precision through data-driven management. With more stable conditions year-round, we’ll be able to offer a wider variety of high-quality horticultural products.”
The modernization of Fresno State’s horticulture research facilities is one of several major initiatives funded by one-time state funding to help modernize campus farm facilities.
“I am pleased that the project has been successfully completed,” said Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire, dean of the Jordan College. “These facilities will provide our students, faculty and staff with access to a state-of-the-art, controlled environment agriculture facility. Besides upgrading greenhouse irrigation and control systems to enhance energy and water efficiency, we’re expanding student access, supporting research in greenhouse crop production and promoting sustainable management practices.”
A vertical hydroponic farming system, generously donated by Jordan College supporter and local resident William Luper, is being installed and will serve as a demonstration of innovative techniques to maximize production space. This hydroponic system will provide students with hands-on opportunities to learn and apply modern farming methods. Designed primarily for student research, initial crops will include herbs, brassicas and strawberries, and the system can support future coursework or independent study projects.
Multiple generous donors have supported the ongoing upgrades and development of the horticulture unit.
Netafim contributed a variety of advanced irrigation systems, including a misting system for the propagation greenhouse, a field drip irrigation system and an overhead irrigation system for the lath house. Hanford Superior Soil Supplements donated a truckload of outdoor soil mix to support nursery production. Sun Gro Horticulture provided several quality soil products and supplements.
Additionally, Belmont Nursery, Dave Wilson Nursery, Sierra View Nursery and Tree Fresno donated a diverse selection of plants and trees to enhance the nursery’s new garden, field and landscape renovations.
Students are actively incorporating new projects, such as worm farms and composting areas on site that align with their research interests and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
These initiatives support soil health and waste reduction and offer hands-on learning experiences that reinforce classroom concepts. As these projects grow, they may serve as valuable models for future curriculum development and community outreach.
The facility’s courtyard continues to evolve under the vision and guidance of Duran, who is working to transform the space into a vibrant hub for campus and community activities. The goal is to create a welcoming environment for classes, events and gatherings — or simply a peaceful place where students can study while enjoying the natural surroundings.
Along the eastern edge of the courtyard, six African Sumac trees and four strawberry trees were donated last year by Tree Fresno, in partnership with the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. These varieties were carefully selected by zoo staff for their drought tolerance and nutritional value.
As they mature, they will serve a dual purpose — providing much-needed shade for the courtyard and producing browse material to help feed the zoo’s large mammals, including elephants and giraffes.
Plans are in place to introduce additional drought-tolerant plant species in the area, further enhancing the space while supplying a sustainable source of forage for zoo animals.
All of these areas serve as a vital hands-on laboratory for Jordan College students.
The Introduction to Ornamental Horticulture class, taught by plant science faculty Ron Nishinaka, is a springboard for students from a variety of departments, which include aspiring agricultural education teachers who will soon be working with high school classes and FFA chapters.
Their weekly labs provide expert advice from Duran and Nishinaka, one of the area’s most respected horticulturists. The class planted three Chinese pistache trees in front of the Horticulture Unit last fall under guidance from the campus grounds staff.
Additional plant science courses provide students with hands-on learning opportunities at the unit, covering a wide range of topics such as plant tissue analysis and propagation, entomology, plant pathology, soil and weed science.
The Plant Science Club also uses a half-acre plot at the unit for its independent study research and courses where students apply agronomy principles from their classes to grow various row crops. Club members often source their own transplants and irrigation equipment and then donate produce to Fresno State’s Amendola Family Student Cupboard and other area food shelters.
Besides working with five student assistants, Duran has partnered with campus staff from the California Climate Action Corps, which employs staff on campus for 11-month terms. These fellows, many of which are Fresno State alumni, manage a compost project with unused food from campus. They create and maintain native garden plots and assist with related needs at the nursery.
Building relationships is important to Duran, who views other local nurseries as key partners and supporters. Plant science students can take knowledge from their campus courses and labs to work at local nurseries or to better plan projects for their professional, home or Central Valley landscapes.
“It’s important for our campus and community to see all these updates,” Duran said. “We’re trying to help the facility stay up to date with industry standards, enhancing both the quality of plants we produce and the learning or research opportunities for students.”
Duran, who graduated from Reedley College and Chico State with an emphasis in plant science and land and soil resource management, thought he might eventually work for a national organization like the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management.
However, he couldn’t pass up the chance to apply for a position at Fresno State to share his knowledge. The college feels equally fortunate to find someone with his wide set of skills, not to mention his prior research experience in pathology, entomology and biochemistry.
“I always had a passion for agriculture, so what better way to come back to the Central Valley and apply what I have learned to help students and this community,” Duran said. “Plant science offers a wide range of different careers and areas where you can implement principles of sustainability. There’s also the chance to integrate research with conventional ways of farming, while incorporating newer, more holistic principles, too.”
