A group of campus leaders returned Saturday from a historic trip to Iran, the university's first official visit to that country since the 1979 Iranian revolution.

In recent years, visa issues have made it almost impossible for faculty and student exchanges and collaborative research projects to take place between the two countries. But the trip yielded optimism from both the Iranians and American delegation.

"We explored the potential for better communications and the exchange of students and scholars," said Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef on Monday during a press conference focused on the weeklong trip. He noted that the next step will be to develop opportunities for faculty and students to study in each country.

Vanderhoef also said he was struck by how young Iran is demographically -- 70 percent of its population is under 30.

Other delegates included William Lacy, vice provost for university outreach and international programs; Neal Van Alfen, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Enrique Lavernia, dean of the College of Engineering; Robert Kerr, director of the international visitors and alumni program; and Mohammad Mohanna, a Sacramento business leader and UC Davis Foundation Board member.

Van Alfen said Iran and California share similar agricultural systems, crops and climates.

"We can benefit from the experience of Iran in agriculture," he said, adding that Iran has grown crops since before recorded history while California has done so only for the last 150 years.