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Pacific Ag has been one of the nation's leading agricultural research institutions for over 30 years. |
Pacific Ag was founded in 1980 in San Diego, California as an agricultural laboratory and grower pest management group. For the next dozen years, we were involved with analyzing soils, waters, and fertilizers, as well as providing IPM services throughout the Southwest and Latin America. In 1993, we moved north to the Central Coast of California where we established crop research centers. Pacific Ag grew to five active California agricultural research farms located in Arroyo Grande, Guadalupe, Salinas, Coalinga, and San Luis Obispo serving high-value coastal and inland valley crop growers. In 2008 with numerous active research projects in the Eastern United States, Florida Ag Research was created in central Florida. Currently, Florida Ag operates from the Caribbean north to the Great Lakes growing districts.
Pacific Ag has conducted research for clients throughout the United States, as well as for international clients in Mexico, Central America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Our clients include the major global agrichemical manufacturers, farmer cooperatives, and governmental agencies, such as USEPA, USDOJ, USDA, CalEPA, and CalDOT.
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Our diverse staff includes advanced level scientists, managing biologists, highly trained technicians, and knowledgeable administrative and clerical support staff. Founder and Research Director, Dr. Frank Sances holds a Ph.D. in Entomology and Plant Physiology from the University of California, Riverside. He has published dozens of technical papers nationally and internationally, and is an active member in numerous professional organizations. Other scientists include Dr. Amy Spence, Dr. Vishal Shinde, and Dr. Balaji Aglave. Our experienced regional managers, Eric Flora and Brad Booker, have dozens of years of field research in commercial product development.
Pacific Ag staff members include the following professionals:
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Frank Sances, Founder and Research Director |
CALIFORNIA |
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Eric Flora, Western Area Manager |
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Oscar Cuevas, Operations Manager West |
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Amy Spence, Research Administrator West |
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Vishal Shinde, Entomology Post-Doctoral Researcher |
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Phil Stevens, Biologist |
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Ken Ward, Chemist |
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Adalberto Arevalo, Applications Technician |
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Steve Autry, Winemaker |
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Aaron Formella, GLP Biologist |
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Susie Layous, Controller |
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Maria Marcotte, Data Management Specialist |
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Jamie Crutchfield, Administrative Assistant |
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Fernando Melgoza, Farm Manager, Salinas |
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Andres Arevalo, Equipment Manager |
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Alejandro Espinosa, Farm Manager, San Luis Obispo |
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Elizandro Gonzales, Farm Manager, Arroyo Grande |
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Ignacio Gutierrez, Farm Manager, Guadalupe |
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Kevin Coons, GLP Biologist |
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Laura Shigemoto, Field Technician |
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David Gavar, Field Technician |
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Jose Gonzales, Applications Assistant |
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Brad Booker, Eastern Area Manager |
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Pete Marine, Operations Manager East |
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Balaji Aglave, Plant Pathology Post-Doctoral Researcher |
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Bryan Huffman, Field Biologist |
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Kevin Brandon, Applications Technician |
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Allen Williford, Agronomy Consultant |
Pacific Ag’s state of the art laboratory facilities include a complete plant pathology research laboratory, a new entomology research lab and insect rearing facility, and chemical research capabilities. Examples of our laboratory projects include pesticide residues in plant tissues, air, and water; wine fermentation, post-harvest pathology, and other value-added processing studies; and diverse bioassays with insects, plant pathogens, and crop safety.
Additionally, Pacific Ag also operates an engineering lab dedicated to developing and testing specialized agricultural equipment. Extensive libraries of statistical and field testing software for efficacy data management and field residue GLP projects are maintained. Pacific Ag’s light and heavy field application spray and soil fumigation rigs are highly mobile and are complete with supply trailers, tow vehicles, and personnel. Operating within a 500 km radius of San Luis Obispo, CA, their activity zone encompasses the most important agricultural areas in the Western United States.
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