MONTEREY, CA - The Organic Grower Summit (OGS) 2025 concluded its two-day event at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, leaving attendees inspired by cutting-edge advancements, impactful networking opportunities and a shared vision for the future of organic farming. The summit brought together industry leaders, growers and innovators from 30 U.S. states to explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the organic agriculture landscape, according to a press release.
Expert Speakers Share Knowledge
The summit kicked off with an inspiring keynote by Sylvia Tawse, founder and chief fresh officer at the Fresh Ideas Group. Her address, “Unsung Heroes in Organic — How to Apply Their Legacies to Your Organic Success,” set the tone for the event by highlighting the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the $71 billion organic industry.
Wednesday featured a dozen seminars that sparked conversations throughout the event, tackling critical topics such as labor shortages, sustainability and the integration of advanced technologies in organic farming.
The summit concluded with a data-driven keynote by Walt Duflock, senior vice president of technology at Western Growers, which showcased future-focused solutions to the industry's pressing challenges.
Industry-Leading Innovations Take Center Stage
The Ag Tech Networking Presentations and Reception on Dec. 3 showcased groundbreaking solutions from leading exhibitors, including Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness, Mahindra Ag North America, Carbon Robotics, Niqo Robotics and Titan and Goodyear Farm Tires. Attendees were introduced to advancements in AI, robotics, sustainable farming practices and equipment technologies.
A live demonstration of the CDFA California Dog Teams, presented by Western Growers, captivated audiences with their innovative role in agricultural safety and compliance.
Recognizing Excellence in Organic Farming
Arnott Duncan, founder of Duncan Family Farms, was honored as the 2025 Grower of the Year, sponsored by John Deere. Duncan’s three-decade journey from small-scale agritourism to managing 3,850 acres of organic farmland across three states was celebrated for its focus on compost-based soil health, water conservation and community impact. His farm’s contributions include donating over 10,000 pounds of fresh organic produce weekly to food banks and pioneering sustainable farming practices.
New Initiatives and Enhanced Accessibility
OGS 2025 introduced several new features to enhance the attendee experience:
- Taylor Farms Scholarship Program: Students from California Polytechnic State University and California State University, Monterey Bay, attended the summit as part of the program, gaining invaluable insights and networking opportunities to advance their academic and career aspirations.
- Live Spanish Translation Services: Powered by Wordly AI, this service ensured inclusivity for Spanish-speaking attendees during keynote addresses and seminars. Additionally, live captions were provided to enhance accessibility for attendees requiring support.
- Convenience and Comfort: Farm Credit provided charging stations, while Nunhems/BASF sponsored coffee stations. California Organic Fertilizer offered eco-friendly attendee bags, and Darling Ingredients/Nature Safe Fertilizers handled lanyards.
Looking Ahead
Produced by Farm Progress and presented by the Western Growers Association, OGS 2025 reaffirmed its position as the premier event for organic growers and suppliers. The summit team extends gratitude to sponsors, including John Deere, Organic Grower Magazine, Ag Life Media, True Organic Products and Engelbert Strauss Inc., for their support in creating a seamless and engaging experience.
For more information about the Organic Grower Summit and updates on future events, visit www.OrganicGrowerSummit.com.
