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Bayer’s Woodland Research Facility celebrates 50 years 

September 7, 2022  By Bayer


(Photo provided by: Bayer)

For 50 years Bayer’s Research & Development station in Woodland, Calif., has been critical in ensuring consumers have access to healthy foods.

The facility, which was started by Petoseed in 1972, initially focused on developing tomato hybrids resistant to the fungal disease Alternaria stem canker, which was threatening to decimate tomato crops in San Diego County. The new hybrid was planted by area farmers and is credited with saving the area’s tomato industry.

After mergers and acquisitions, Bayer has transformed the research facility into a cutting-edge center for innovation, helping vegetable growers in California, the United States and around the world. It’s part of Bayer’s network of breeding and testing hubs that are strategically located, all focused on the company mission of “Health for All. Hunger for None.”

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Today, the Bayer site features 90,000 square feet of lab and research space in addition to 68 greenhouses, three germplasm houses and nearly 400 acres of fields for testing. Diverse, multidisciplinary teams of plant breeders, pathologists, cell biologists, data scientists, logistics experts and market development representatives work together to identify ways to improve plant health, advance sustainability, test best practices, and address on-farm challenges and consumer demands.

Some additional highlights at the facility, include:

  • First foundation seed department in industry (~1978)
  • Cell biology lab (1986)
  • Vegetable quality lab (1990)
  • Seminis brand formed, markers lab and pathology lab (1995)
  • Consumer health initiative (2005)
  • Numerous blockbuster varieties developed locally and sold throughout the world

The Woodland site will continue to play a pioneering role in testing and implementing novel technologies in vegetable breeding and product development. One example of that commitment was Bayer’s recent establishment of an on-site incubator where start-ups can research and test their cutting-edge technologies. That helps Bayer advance products and solutions even faster.

Woodland will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with employees, growers and the community all year long. You can learn more about the Woodland Research Station – its history, the impact it has made, and the innovations it continues to drive forward – by visiting its anniversary web page here.


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