Lindcove Research and Extension Center (LREC), located in the foothills of Tulare County, has land, labor and facilities available for 2026-2027 research projects. The Research Advisory Committee reviews proposals and projects are evaluated based on scientific merit and regional need. While LREC is primarily a citrus research center, avocado trees are also grown here, and other crops are welcome.
Citrus orchards available for research:
- Valencia (Field 21), 4.85 acres
- Tangos (Field 23E) 2.30 acres
- Tangos (Field 31) 2.90 acres
- Navels (Field 41) 1.50 acres
- Citrus (Field 42N), 1.90 acres
- Lemons (Field 80) 2.0 acres
- Lemons (Field 82E) 1.50 acres
- Navels (Field 82W) 4.85 acres
- Walnut (Field 91E), 4.20 acres
- Grapefruit (Field 92W) .80 acres
Facilities and Support staff
The electronic fruit grading system in the packline provides individual fruit data including weight, size, volume, number, scarring, texture, Brix and color. The packline also has a high-pressure fruit washer, waxer and dryer. Three cold storage rooms that hold 60 fruit bins each, walk-in cold boxes, and de-greening rooms have the capability for ethylene gassing.
The Fruit Quality Evaluation Laboratory can evaluate rind thickness, granulation, texture, puff and crease, juice weights, Brix, sugar/acid ratio and the California standard. A staff research associate located at the center is available to provide field and laboratory data collection.
Approved rates for the period July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
Fiscal Year Charge Description Full Cost Funding PI Portion
2026-2027 Direct Research Rate $60.85 $17.85 $43/hour
2026-2027 Acreage Rate $4,195.51 $1,795.51 $2,400/acre
2026-2027 Packline Rate $93.86 $47.86 $46/hour
Proposal Process
To submit a proposal, please fill out the online submission form: https://forms.clickup.com/9011131394/f/8chnx02-5751/L0JL8WZ9V4DG5DSRPW
In addition, we kindly request that you fill out the project proposal form attached below and email it to Lindcove REC business officer Jasmin Del Toro at jzdeltoro@ucanr.edu.
If you have any questions regarding research, contact Ashraf El-Kereamy, director, at (661) 703-4678 or ashrafe@ucr.edu.
If you have any questions regarding land, labor and facilities, contact Donald Cleek, superintendent, at (559) 730-8176 or dcleek@ucanr.edu.
For information on submission of proposals, contact Jasmin Del Toro, business officer, at (559) 592-2408 Ext 1764 or jzdeltoro@ucanr.edu.
