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UC Davis Centennial
100 years of service, solutions, impact
Photo: Livestock demonstration

Looking Back

What is so special about 1908?

Good question. If officials opened the University Farm for public inspection and a dedication in October 1907, why not celebrate our centennial beginning that year?

You can thank the proverbial "construction delay." But also tip your hat to Leroy Anderson, a professor of agricultural practice at the University of California, who was appointed superintendent of the University Farm at Davis in January 1908.

Anderson and team worked through the various building issues to launch farmers’ short courses, similar to intensive extension classes of today, in October 1908.

By choosing 1908, we’re celebrating our land-grant beginning — when UC Davis first brought research and teaching to the California public and, at the same time, offered practical opportunities for these young farmers to prepare for a modern world.

Take a look back at UC Davis' history