The Seed Biotechnology Center is dedicated to providing the highest quality research, education and public outreach programs. Though California-based, SBC scientists are involved in collaborative cutting-edge research with companies and institutions around the world, and have generated millions of dollars in research funding. Our research is both basic and applied, with the outcomes directed to advancing science and agricultural productivity and promoting environmental and consumer benefits.
History
With its wet winters and dry summers, California is ideally suited to seed production and by the latter half of the 20th century a vibrant seed production industry had developed here. In addition, as California became the largest agricultural producing state, seed companies established breeding stations throughout the state to develop varieties suited to growers’ needs. By the 1970s, California was renowned as a major global location for breeding and seed production of a wide diversity of crops.
While the University of California has a long and distinguished history in plant genetics, breeding and seed physiology, it did not have a specific program addressing the seed industry’s research and education needs. Discussions between faculty at UC Davis and seed industry representatives led to the concept that a seed center would be desirable for both parties. That concept finally took root in the mid-1990s when several factors converged.
First, a Yolo County Targeted Industry Study identified the seed industry as a major component of the county’s agricultural sector. Executive management of several local seed companies suggested a seed center at UC Davis in Yolo County as a way to promote the county’s long-term economic development. At the same time, the first crops developed using new biotechnologies were being commercialized, and the opportunities for improving California’s diversity of crops became apparent. It was also clear that taking advantage of those opportunities would require significant investments in research and education.
The first Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) Organizing Committee meeting was held at UC Davis in the summer of 1996 and included seed industry executives from companies throughout California, the California Seed Association and representatives of UC Davis. The Committee determined that the Center’s ultimate objective would be to provide access to university researchers and to serve the world-wide seed industry with advanced research, education, training and information on seed issues and technologies.
Support for the SBC was built through numerous meetings and presentations around the state to promote awareness and later to raise financing. A number of supporters quickly volunteered to move the project forward. With their support and the support of their companies, the California Seed Association, the California Seed Advisory Board and the Dean’s Office of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center was formally established in 1999. The building that houses the SBC was completed in 2003.
The Seed Biotechnology Center is dedicated to providing the highest quality research, education and public outreach programs. Though California-based, SBC scientists are involved in collaborative cutting-edge research with companies and institutions around the world, and have generated millions of dollars in research funding. Our research is both basic and applied, with the outcomes directed to advancing science and agricultural productivity and promoting environmental and consumer benefits.
© UC Davis • Department of Plant Sciences • One Shields Ave. • Davis, CA • 95616 
With its wet winters and dry summers, California is ideally suited to seed production and by the latter half of the 20th century a vibrant seed production industry had developed here. In addition, as California became the largest agricultural producing state, seed companies established breeding stations throughout the state to develop varieties suited to growers’ needs. By the 1970s, California was renowned as a major global location for breeding and seed production of a wide diversity of crops.