The 2023 Organic Grower Summit’s educational program will feature sessions ag technology as well as the challenges of organic seed production.
As technology and innovation continue to help organic growers produce crops, OGS 2023 will highlight companies at the forefront of agtech and how growers decide which technologies to use, according to a news release. “How Organic Growers Are Using Ag Tech: Obstacles & Opportunities” will explore how growers are using agtech to improve production while showcasing one of the leading agtech companies and its work in displacing traditional farming methods, the release said.
Bart Walker, president of Pacific Ag Rentals, will moderate the session. Panelists include Tom Nunes V, president of The Nunes Co.; Kristen Smith Eshaya, president of JV Smith Cos.; and Paul Mikesell, CEO and founder of Carbon Robotics.
“Technology and data management continue to evolve for organic growers, and a wide array of new tools are being designed for greater efficiency in the production of crops,” Walker said in the release. “This exclusive ed session will highlight some of the newest technologies, equipment and programs available for growers and how they can best be utilized in the ever-changing landscape of organic fresh produce production.”
The “Challenges of Organic Seed Production” educational session will provide an overview of how organic seed production has declined over the past few years and how this has been affecting the organic produce industry, according to the release.
T&D Willey Farms owner Tom Willey will moderate the session. Panelists include Theojary Crisantes, CEO of Wholesum; Zea Sonnabend, owner of Fruitilicious Farm; Jared Zystro, research and education director at the Organic Seed Alliance; and Michael Willey, North American production lead for Bayer Crop Science.
These two educational sessions are among the eight planned for OGS 2023. Others include:
- SOE Deadline Looms—Are You Ready?
- Understanding Evolving Production Challenges for Organic Growers.
- Regenerative—What Does it Mean for Organic?
- Unlocking the Value of AI on the Digital Farming Journey.
- Meet the Ag Sharks.
- Roadmap to a Sustainable Pest Management Future for Organics.
The summit will also have a pair of keynote presentations.
As part of the keynotes, the annual Grower of the Year award will be presented to this year’s recipient, Rod Braga, president and CEO of Braga Fresh. The other keynote presentation at OGS 2023 will be “Grower Roundtable: The State of Organic Growing,” which will include leadership from three prominent organic companies who will be announced soon, according to the release.
OGS 2023, presented by Western Growers and Organic Produce Network, is set for Nov. 29-30 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, Calif. The sixth annual Organic Grower Summit is designed to provide information vital to organic growers and producers, including an overview of the opportunities and challenges in the production of organic fresh food, the release said.
“In partnership with Western Growers, this year’s OGS will provide up-to-date resources and information to support the continued success of organic producers, with an emphasis on the changing organic production landscape as well as the role of ag technology,” Matt Seeley, co-founder and CEO of Organic Produce Network, said in the release. “From seed to soil to harvest, our goal is to present the most relevant and timely information on the most important subjects and issues facing organic production.”
The sold-out OGS trade show floor will feature soil amendment, agtech, food safety, packaging, and equipment exhibitors who will have the opportunity to connect with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisers and food safety experts, according to the release.
OGS 2023 general registration is currently open. For more information about the summit, visit organicgrowersummit.com.
