MONTEREY, CA - While not everyone loves attending school, I think it’s safe to say that everyone loves being an educated individual. Despite the many experts in our industry, there is always more education to be had. That’s why the Organic Grower Summit (OGS) is launching a pair of educational sessions focused on the future of organic plant health. They will be part of the 2019 OGS event, slated for December 4-5 in Monterey, CA.
One of the sessions is referred to as “Taking a Proactive Approach to Sustainability Reporting,” which will discuss the role of sustainability and the related metrics in promoting responsible, organic, and agricultural practices. Featured speakers for the session include: Ze'ev Barylka, Marketing Director at Netafim USA; Kevin Warner, Manager of Sustainable Agriculture at SCS Global Services; and Bryan Duarte, Senior Sourcing Manager at Walmart. The session will be moderated by Nikki Rodoni, Founder and CEO of Measure to Improve.
“While organically grown is a valuable and sustainable approach to agriculture, Sustainability Surveys ask about all three P’s of Sustainability—People, Planet, and Profit,” Rodoni said. “This panel of experts will help answer some of the common questions about Sustainability Reporting: ‘Why are customers asking for this information and what are they going to do with the information? What tools, metrics, and resources are available? And, how can growers get ahead of these requests, and tell a powerful, compelling, and verifiable sustainability story?’”
According to a news release, these newly-announced educational sessions are part of an extensive OGS program designed to inform and engage organic growers, farmers, and producers, and their service and supply chain partners. The third annual OGS is made possible by partners California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN), and focused on providing information vital to organic farmers and ranchers, as well as an overview of the challenges and opportunities in the production of organic fresh food.
The second session, called “What’s Next: Organic Plant Health,” will feature a panel of organic growing and production experts discussing the latest tools in plant health, biological controls, and leading-edge research. Panelists for the session include Steve Pavich, Senior Plant Nutritionist at BioFlora; Dr. Danielle Kirkpatrick, Global Technical Support Coordinator at Trécé, Inc.; and Pete Anecito, Director of Ag Operations at Mission Ranches. The session will be moderated by Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs at Organic Trade Association.
“Organic farmers and growers are always looking to learn more about innovative farming techniques, how to grow their businesses, and how to excel in the organic sector. The educational sessions at OGS cover the wide variety of topics that organic growers are interested in, and attendees leave inspired with new tactics to employ in their businesses,” said Kelly Damewood, CEO of CCOF.
Among other topics that will be addressed at OGS are the impact of technological advances in organic agriculture, strategies to reduce risk through organic soil health practices, the burgeoning hemp marketplace, organic cannabis production, and a data dive into organic food sales. Educational sessions at OGS are eligible and approved for Continuing Education Units.
OGS 2019 will be held at the Monterey Conference Center. General and exhibitor registration is currently open with less than 10 booths remaining available. For more information on the third annual Organic Grower Summit, click here. For even more education on the produce industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
