Introducing Escondido AgX Innovation Hub

AgX and its leading partners are designing this Hub to be a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic mobility.

AgX Partners


These include UC ANR and The Vine Institute, the San Diego North EDC and regional workforce boards, the Foodshed Cooperative, the City of Escondido, and Good Roots.

Key Programs Include

Green icon of a warehouse with connected circles, suggesting distribution or network.

Regional Food Hub

Aggregates and distributes locally produced goods, helping small farms reach larger markets and improve food security.

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Business Incubator

Supports start‑ups and scaling companies developing ag‑tech solutions tailored to our region.

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Consumer Packaged Goods Lab and Test Kitchen

Provides a space for food entrepreneurs to create, test and refine new products.

Green outline of rolling hills, trees, sun, and clouds, suggesting a rural landscape.

AgriTourism Partnerships

Builds collaborations and land‑use strategies to attract visitors and showcase San Diego County’s agricultural heritage.

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“Locally Grown” Branding and Marketing

Elevates local products and fosters pride in regional agriculture through thoughtful placemaking and market differentiation.

Green monitor with a plant sprouting on screen.

Workforce Training & Development

Offers training in ag technology, food systems and climate‑smart farming. By partnering with regional employers, we create direct pathways into living‑wage jobs—upskilling the existing workforce rather than replacing it.

What is AgTech and Why Escondido?

AgX brings local farmers, fishers, food makers and consumers together to strengthen the regional food system.

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Our Goal

Take products from local farms through manufacturing and onto nearby store shelves, creating a shorter, more resilient supply chain.

Agricultural Technology, or AgTech, is the application of innovation—from sensors and robotics to water efficiency systems and data analytics—to improve farming and food systems. It helps solve critical challenges like water use, sustainability, and workforce shortages while supporting long-term food security.


Escondido is uniquely positioned as a hub for AgTech. With a rich agricultural history, including being home to San Diego County’s first avocado tree in 1892, agriculture remains a $77 million contributor to the local economy. Regionally, North County has also become a magnet for technology and life sciences, attracting billions in investment. This intersection of agriculture and technology makes Escondido a natural home for AgTech innovation.


Over the next 30 years, the hub aims to nurture more than 100 enterprises, generate 3 000–5 000 direct and indirect jobs and attract $200–$500 million in private investment across the Southern Border region.

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AgX Escondido logo: dark blue
Aerial view of innovation hub property with parking and buildings

455 N. Quince Street: The Future of AgTech in Escondido


At the center of this initiative is the City-owned property at 455 N. Quince Street, located just north of Downtown.

  • Size: 40,680 square feet of industrial/office space
  • Lot: 3.48 acres
  • Zoning: Manufacturing
    This underutilized site will be transformed into the     Escondido AgX Regional Innovation Hub, a place for entrepreneurs, researchers, and local farmers to collaborate and build the future of agriculture


City Council Action

On July 23, 2025, the Escondido City Council unanimously approved a 15-year lease agreement with The VINE Institute, a California nonprofit benefit corporation and close partner with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Council also approved a $500,000 Public Service Agreement to provide startup support for building improvements, operational needs, and program development. 


Partnership with The VINE Institute

The VINE Institute brings a statewide network of academic research, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders in AgTech and food systems. Their proven expertise ensures that the Escondido AgX Innovation Hub will become a regional center of excellence, supporting:

  • Startup incubation and business growth
  • A regional food hub for produce distribution
  • Consumer packaged goods (CPG) testing and innovation
  • Agritourism development
  • Workforce training and education

Through this partnership, Escondido is taking a leadership role in shaping the future of agriculture while strengthening the local economy.


Escondido AgX Progress to Date

Escondido AgX is a City of Escondido led initiative to partner with local, regional, and state organizations to promote innovation in the agriculture technology industries to support local farmers and food systems.

This initiative is part of the City Council adopted Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to attract and retain Agriculture and AgTech companies to the City with the goal of creating more high wage jobs.

  • 2 start-up hackathon events complete
  • 6 quarterly meetups
  • Received the top Award of Excellence, the highest honor in its category, from a state economic development agency for the program
  • Received a Bronze Medal Award from a national economic development agency for the program
  • $2.3 million in grant funding secured by local nonprofit group related to the initiative
  • Partnership established with UC ANR and The Vine.io network


What is Heal The Earth's Role With AgX?

Heal The Earth (HTE) is the primary operator of the AgX Innovation Hub, guiding its daily operations and long-term vision. HTE oversees property management, tenant leasing, facility improvements, and on-site events—ensuring AgX remains a vibrant place for innovation and collaboration.

If you want to get involved at AgX—whether as a tenant, partner, or event host—HTE is your main point of contact. Their team is here to help you explore opportunities and participate in the continued growth of the AgX campus.

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