History

The Fresno State Farm Market began as a roadside stand that sold excess student-grown sweet corn, watermelon and fresh fruit from the university's farm laboratory.

Soon after, the dairy processing unit began to sell ice cream from a roadside ice cream freezer that was powered by a long extension cord.

Eventually, the market would move into the first building, on the corner of Barstow and Chestnut, which allowed the market to include more of the school's student-made products.

In 2008, the market received a generous $1.5 million donation from benefactor Joyce Mae Gibson that allowed the market to expand into its current home with improved equipment and included an ice cream counter and wine tasting area. That amount was part of a $2 million overall gift that included $500,000 for an endowment to support the campus equine unit.

A separate $150,000 gift by Joyce's later sister and brother in law, Beverly and Earl Knobloch, was used to purchase the glass refrigerator and freezer cases.

In 2013, the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market officially opened for business.

Students from our campus farm and our food, science and nutrition department create, test and market fresh products year-round that they produce on campus.