College Hires Farm Ops Director

The Huntley College of Agriculture has hired a director of farm and animal operations to oversee both the animal units and the crop-growing programs on campus and beyond.

Jeremy Mora comes to Cal Poly Pomona after spending nearly two decades of working in the farm-rich Salinas Valley. His experience includes four years as ranch manager at Laguna Mist Farms and two years as ag manager at Dole Fresh Vegetables.

“I am particularly excited to bring my private industry experience to Cal Poly Pomona,” Mora said. “Tying together our strengths as an institution for learning by doing, I am passionate about bringing real-world agribusiness principles to our farm.”

“In today’s world, it is imperative that we, as farmers and ranchers, have a plan for the future,” he added. “I look forward to working alongside each individual expert in their farm and animal units to increase our value to our students and overall longevity as an agricultural institution.  

In addition to serving as a farm manager, Mora has worked as a production assistant in food safety at D’Arrigo Brothers of California and as an independent agricultural consultant.

Mora earned his bachelor’s degree in plant science from Fresno State and his MBA from Santa Clara University with a concentration in food innovation and entrepreneurship.

The farm operations director is a new position.

Previously, the farm manager oversaw only Cal Poly Pomona’s crop growing operations, which include Spadra Farm, and on-campus vineyards and specialty crops; Westwind Ranch in Chino; and Pine Tree Ranch in Santa Paula.

The manager scheduled planting and harvesting by the university farm crew at each site, while also overseeing farm equipment maintenance, safety training, pesticide application, and food safety, handling, and storage.

A recent redesign added supervision of the sheep, swine, and beef units on campus.