Okanagan Specialty Fruits, developer of the bioengineered Arctic apple, recently hosted the Envisioning the Farm of the Future event on April 30. Held at OSF’s Moses Lake, Wash., facility, Arctic apple orchards and Big Bend Community College, the full-day event brought together growers, technologists, educators and industry leaders to explore the future of food production.
Guided tours of OSF’s processing facility kicked off the day, where visitors learned about the company’s approach to sustainable agriculture.
The day began with guided tours of OSF’s processing facility and orchard operations, where guests experienced firsthand the company’s innovative approach to sustainable agriculture. Attendees then gathered at Big Bend Community College for two dynamic symposium sessions.
Vonnie Estes, vice president of innovation at the International Fresh Produce Association, moderated a panel with a forward-looking discussion on how genetics, robotics and AI are reshaping the agriculture industry. Panelists included Steve Mantle, CEO of Innov8.ag; Karina Gallardo, professor at Washington State University; Neal Carter, CEO of OSF; and Dave Brown, almanac product manager at Semios.
Walt Duflock, vice president of innovation at Western Growers Association, moderated the second panel that addressed the labor challenges facing the tech-driven ag sector and showcased strategies to recruit and retain a high-tech workforce. Speakers included: Sue Kane, CEO of NCW Tech Alliance; Lisa Karsetter of Microsoft; Sara Thompson Tweedy, president of Big Bend Community College; John Riel, CEO of Burrows Tractor; and Freddy Valdovinos, field operations specialist with Innov8.ag.
Ag tech vendors such as Innov8.ag, Semios, Agtonomy, MyLand, Moleaer, SlimLine and Vivid Machines demonstrated cutting-edge technologies advancing modern farming for attendees.
OSF debuted a new whitepaper written by CEO Neal Carter, titled “Traits and Tech: Designing the Orchard of the Future,” which explored how integrated technologies and advanced breeding strategies can drive orchard performance and industry sustainability.
“The future of farming will be defined by the choices we make today,” Carter said. “By integrating science, technology and sustainable practices, we can build an agricultural system that is both resilient and regenerative. This event was about inspiring that vision — and taking steps to make it real.”
The event concluded with a networking reception featuring Endless Orchard Hard-Pressed Cider crafted exclusively from Arctic apples.
“By bringing together thought leaders across agriculture, education and technology, we created a powerful forum for collaboration,” said Sarah Evanega, vice president of business development at OSF. “This event demonstrated the momentum and shared vision driving the next generation of farming.”
