Anne Visser

Anne Visser is a Professor of Community and Regional Development in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis, where she leads research on how automation, AI, and innovation are transforming agricultural work and rural economies. Trained as both an economist and an anthropologist, Dr. Visser co-directs the University of California’s Labor and Automation in California Agriculture Multi Campus Research Program. Her work bridges research and practice, partnering with growers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to understand how new technologies can create more resilient, equitable, and competitive ag economies. She has led major NSF and USDA projects exploring how robotics and digital tools reshape labor markets, workforce development, and business opportunities in agriculture.