Student Clubs and Activities
In the BRAE department, we're not afraid to get our hands dirty. In classes, students are not simply bystanders, invited only to peer into worlds that they will not be allowed to join until they get their degree. Instead, Cal Poly students are offered unique opportunities to get involved in actual engineering projects throughout the western states and even internationally, and gain contacts that become invaluable after graduation. Likewise, student clubs within the department afford opportunities for leadership, professional development, service and social activities, and peer support.
Agricultural Engineering Society (AES)
For all students in the BRAE Department including both the ASABE & SMB clubs.
AES is a social and professional development club. Our focus is building relationships between students, and creating industry connections. Activities include, Monthly meeting with guest speakers, weekly’s BBQs, Career Fair, and more! AES is where Cowboy and Plowboys come to build things!
Contact: Paul Horta, President <phortaca@calpoly.edu>
Or find us on 
instagram at Cal Poly AES
ASABE - Student Branch (SB):
The professional branch of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers for Students in the Agricultural Engineering Major.
The ASABE student branch is a sub-club of the Agricultural Engineering Society (AES) consisting of the BioResource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) majors found in the BRAE Department.
It provides opportunities specifically for BRAE majors with insight into future opportunities. The major activity for the club is the ASABE student rally which occurs once a year in February, which was hosted by Cal Poly this past year and will be hosted by us again next year.
This student rally is planned by students and professionals throughout the year to integrate students into professional life through series of meet-and-greets with the several different professions that Agricultural Engineering affects.
Contact: Will Black, ASABE President <wrblack@calpoly.edu>
ASABE - Student Mechanization Branch (SMB)
The technical branch of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers for Students in the Agricultural Systems Management Major.
The Student Mechanized Branch (SMB) is a sub-club of the Agricultural Engineering Society (AES) consisting of the Agricultural Systems Management (ASM) majors found in the BRAE Department.
SMB works with ASABE and AES to be able to connect students throughout the department and connect students with industry member. This is done through various club events such as monthly meetings, quarterly activities, and intermural sports. Outside of club activities, SMB participates in the CAFES Club Counsel. This opportunity allows students to be able to interact with other students in different clubs and different departments.
Contact: Sam Esperson, SMB President <sesperso@calpoly.edu>
Future Fuels Club
We work with alternative energies throughout multiple current projects like a biodiesel reactor, an EV solar charger, a waste vegetable oil processor, and hopefully a gasifier powered go-kart one day. We work directly with CP staff and industry people, so this is a great opportunity get immersion with engineering, financial management, and team communication/management.
Contact: Trevor Harris Mckibben, <tmckibbe@calpoly.edu>
or find us on instagram at future.fuels
GrowCrew
This student organization focuses on sustainable agriculture practices, such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics, and bioresource-related projects.
Contact: Anna Wescott - <anwescot@calpoly.edu>
or find us on instagram at cp.growcrew
Precision Agriculture & Automation Club (PAAC)
Cal Poly PAAC at the 2023 ASABE Student Robotics Design Challenge. We finished in second place!
The Precision Agriculture and Automation Club, founded in 2013, serves as a dynamic hub for students at Cal Poly, irrespective of their majors, to immerse themselves in the exciting world of automation and robotics within the agriculture industry. The club's primary objective is to establish a collaborative environment where members can engage in hands-on projects and research related to precision agriculture and automation.
At the core of the club's mission is the exploration of technology, with a strong focus on robotics, programming, and mechanical design towards agriculture. Members have the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects that involve several aspects of engineering to develop solutions that have an impact on the industry. The club has access to a workshop room where supplies and tools can be used for the projects. Please reach out for any interest on working on projects the club is working on or creating a project.
Contact: Pierce Baugher <pbaugher@calpoly.edu>
"PolyBuilt" Quarter Scale Tractor Team
BRAE’s Quarter Scale Tractor Team, named PolyBuilt and commonly referred to as “Quarter Scale”, is a student design and fabrication team that participates in the International ¼ Scale Tractor Design Competition put on by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).
Quarter Scale is funded by Cal Poly as an Instructionally Related Activity (IRA) and is technically a team and not a club. Each year the team designs and builds a 31-horsepower tractor from the ground up, about one-quarter the scale of a full-size tractor.
The PolyBuilt team acts like a small engineering firm using communication and teamwork between members to create a unique tractor design. The team manufactures and fabricates most of their parts and components inhouse, and members gain experience using mills, lathes, TIG and MIG welders, and various other equipment and tools. Since everything that the team makes is something they designed, the students learn feasible design methods, preparing them for industry.
Contact: Owen Rockemann <rockeman@calpoly.edu>
or find us on instagram at calpolyquarterscale
Tractor Pull
Cal Poly Tractor Pull is made up of two parts, the club and the team. The team is made up of hardworking students who travel around the State competing in pulling events. The tractors are entirely student driven and maintained. The club is responsible for community outreach such as attending the farmers market or educational events and putting on the Poly Royal open house event every year. The club and team are open to anyone who is interested in tractor pull and no experience is necessary.
Contact: Trevor Massetti <temasset@calpoly.edu> for Tractor Pull Team
Hudson Bair <hbair@calpoly.edu> for Tractor Pull Club
or find us on instagram at calpolytractorpull