MONTEREY, CA - The Organic Grower Summit (OGS) 2025 is set to feature cutting-edge solutions from industry leaders during the Ag Tech Networking Presentations and Reception on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 4-6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa. This year’s event will spotlight the latest advancements in AI, robotics, sustainable farming practices, equipment technologies and much more.

Highlighted exhibitors include:

• Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness: With a focus on water management, resistance management, soil health and sustainability, Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness partners with growers to deliver tailored solutions that enhance profitability and overcome crop challenges. Their expertise in organic farming and sustainable practices makes them a key player in advancing the future of agriculture.
• Mahindra Ag North America (MAgNA): As the North American subsidiary of the globally renowned Mahindra Group, MAgNA is the manufacturer of the world’s number one selling farm tractor. Specializing in tractors, utility vehicles and farm equipment, MAgNA supports agricultural and rural lifestyle customers across the U.S. and Canada through an extensive dealership network, offering reliable tools for both organic and conventional farming.
• Carbon Robotics: A leader in AI-powered farming, Carbon Robotics is revolutionizing weed control with its award-winning LaserWeeder. This innovative tool combines computer vision, AI deep learning, robotics and lasers to identify and eliminate weeds with millimeter accuracy. By cutting weed control costs by 80% and increasing crop yield and quality, Carbon Robotics empowers farmers to boost profits and production.
• Niqo Robotics: Niqo Robotics is transforming precision agriculture with its proprietary Niqo Sense AI camera, which enables spot spraying of agrochemicals like pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and liquid fertilizers. By delivering plant-level care with minimal financial and environmental impact, Niqo Robotics helps farmers reduce dependence on labor and agrochemicals, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
• Titan and Goodyear Farm Tires: Titan and Goodyear Farm Tires provide high-quality tires for a vast range of agricultural and industrial machinery, including tractors, combines and sprayers. Their innovative Low Sidewall Technology (LSW)™ improves equipment performance and reduces soil compaction, addressing key challenges in modern farming operations. By continuously innovating based on equipment trends and grower feedback, Titan and Goodyear Farm Tires support the evolving needs of organic and conventional growers.

Media and attendees are advised to visit the official website regularly for updates, as the exhibitor list continues to grow.

"This year’s presentations at OGS feature innovators redefining organic farming," said Matt Jungmann, senior national events director for Farm Progress, in the recent release. "From AI tools and robotics to sustainable solutions and advanced equipment, these companies empower growers to enhance efficiency and sustainability."

Following the presentations, attendees are invited to join the Ag Tech Networking Reception. This networking event provides a collaborative setting where attendees can connect directly with technology providers while enjoying light refreshments.

The Organic Grower Summit, hosted at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California, runs from Dec. 3-4, 2025. Produced by Farm Progress with the Western Growers Association serving as the 2025 Presenting Sponsor, this two-day event offers comprehensive access to educational seminars, trade show exhibits and networking opportunities.

The summit team extends special appreciation to John Deere, serving as the Grower of the Year Sponsor, and Organic Grower Magazine for their valuable support. Complete registration details are available at www.OrganicGrowerSummit.com. Special grower pricing is available for Western Growers Association and California Certified Organic Farmers members. Reach out to their membership teams for a registration code.

FISHERS, NY - The New York Apple Association will again serve as an official sponsor of the 54th TCS New York City Marathon, providing New York State-grown apples at the finish line, at several related events, and to race volunteers. More than 50,000 runners are expected to complete the 26.2-mile course.

Joel Crist of Crist Bros Orchards Inc. will be featured in a half-hour special segment airing on ABC7 on Saturday, Nov. 1, titled Countdown to the Starting Line. The segment, filmed in the orchard, includes Crist giving television producers a behind-the-scenes tour and sharing insights into apple production.

The special will highlight pre-race coverage, inspiring stories, and a sneak peek at the excitement leading up to the big day. Countdown to the Starting Line is hosted by ABC7 news anchors Liz Cho and David Novarro and will air following the late-night edition of Eyewitness News. NYAA is a longtime sponsor of the marathon and of ABC7’s race-day coverage.

NYAA has arranged for their commercial to run during the NYC Marathon with local coverage on WABC and national coverage on ESPN. The TCS New York City Marathon takes place Sunday, Nov. 2, transforming all five boroughs into a celebration of endurance, music and pure New York City spirit. Runners from over 130 countries will take to the streets, cheered on by more than 2 million in-person spectators. Produced by the nonprofit New York Road Runners, the marathon is one of the city’s most anticipated annual events.

“The New York Apple Association has been a long-running sponsor of the New York City Marathon, and we look forward to the event each year. We have arranged for each runner to receive a New York State apple at the finish line,” said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO of the association, in the recent release.

Apples provide carbohydrates for energy and fluid for hydration, both of which are essential for endurance sports like marathons. Two varieties, SnapDragon® and McIntosh, will be available at this year’s race.

NYAA’s sponsored runners include New York State apple growers and members of the apple industry. Among them are Tenley Fitzgerald of Yes! Apples; Lyle Trombly of Chazy Orchards; Derek Grout of Golden Harvest Apples and Harvest Spirits; Cooper Grany of Doc’s Cider and Dawn Williams of the New York Apple Association and others.

WENATCHEE, WA - Stemilt is celebrating a milestone in advancing employee wellness this year with the 10^th anniversary of its on-site family health clinic, implemented in 2015. Stemilt’s Director of People Experience, Zach Williams, said the Stemilt Family Clinic has played a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of Stemilt’s workforce and their families and shares new results of its impact over time.

“The clinic is one of the most impactful investments we’ve made in our people,” said Williams in the recent release. “The Stemilt Family Clinic’s accessible model has led to strong results, particularly in managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, where employees show high rates of compliance and ongoing engagement in their health plans. Since its inception, the clinic has had a 16% higher control rate for diabetes than the average for clinics in the region. It also has a 90% prescription fill rate vs. the 50% national fill rate. This ensures that employees have access to the medications they need, rather than foregoing treatment due to cost.”

What began as a small step towards advancing healthcare at Stemilt has blossomed into a vital resource that employees utilize daily. Before the Stemilt Family Clinic opened at Stemilt’s Euclid location in partnership with the health care organization, Confluence Health, in 2015, it launched a pilot program. Anovaworks, an occupational health and wellness provider, and Stemilt joined forces to offer immediate treatment for workplace injuries, onsite hearing and vision testing, and care for minor illnesses and health concerns at its Olds Station office.

“Over the past 10 years, Stemilt has provided two resources dedicated to supporting the well-being of our employees, otherwise known as Stemilters,” said Williams. “For those in need of quick, thorough care, they can go to the Anovaworks clinic, and for long-term, primary care, they can meet with their provider at the Stemilt Family Clinic. These services have been beneficial in retaining and attracting talent, especially during cherry season. Knowing that they can have their health care needs met conveniently onsite, 96% of H2A seasonal employees return year after year.”

The Stemilt Family Clinic provides Stemilters and their immediate dependents with free, primary health care and prescriptions. In collaboration with Confluence Health over the past decade, the clinic has expanded its team of providers to meet growing demand.

“The decade-long partnership between Confluence Health and Stemilt to provide no-cost healthcare through an on-site clinic in Wenatchee has been a wonderful collaboration,” commented Jacob Espinoza, primary care service line director at Confluence Health, who oversees the clinic. “Offering primary care and pharmacy services, the clinic treats patients who might not otherwise seek care. With an average of more than 350 visits per month, services include same-day appointments, vaccines, prescriptions, and more, all free of charge to Stemilters and their immediate families. Without insurance paperwork, providers focus on care, building trust, and encouraging timely treatment.”

Shared values of cultivating a healthy workforce and caring for the community are what drive Stemilt and Confluence Health to look towards the future of the clinic with optimism. By prioritizing accessible healthcare for employees and their families, together, they are setting a standard for wellness and community support that will benefit the people they serve for years to come.

“At Stemilt, it’s important to us that our employees come to work not having to worry about how they’re going to keep themselves and their family healthy and well,” said Williams. “As we celebrate 10 years of the Stemilt Family Clinic, we celebrate our team members who are the heart of Stemilt. We plan to continue ensuring they have convenient access to healthcare as part of our long-term commitment to supporting the people behind World Famous Fruit.”

PLANT CITY, FL - After a season marked by Hurricane Milton’s impacts and rising input and labor costs, Wish Farms is entering the 2025–2026 Florida strawberry season with renewed optimism. Running from November through April, the season promises exceptional quality and flavor,

“Last year was a challenge,” said Nick Wishnatzki, Public Relations Director, in the recent release. “But our team’s strategy, resilience and adaptability have us feeling confident about the season. We’re eager to deliver berries that live up to our mission of providing the best tasting berries.”

This season, Wish Farms and its partners are growing four key University of Florida strawberry varieties: Brilliance®, Medallion®, Ember®, and Encore®. Notably, the newer Ember® and Encore® varieties offer a wide array of characteristics, including size, flavor, and enhanced disease resistance.

“Based on last year’s performance, we expect Ember® and Encore® to deliver this season,” said Wishnatzki. “They have the potential to provide an overall boost in yield and productivity.”

When it comes to organic production, the company is positioning itself around these new varieties to maximize flavor and surety of supply. With strong performance projected, Wish Farms expects to turn a new, successful chapter in its organic program.

The company represents around 17% of the Florida industry, with over 2,500 acres of conventional, organic, and Pink-A-Boo® pineberry production. Wish Farms’ pineberry program continues to be a bright spot. Its steady consumer interest and strong field performance distinguishes itself as a special item that shoppers can only find on the shelf during the Florida season.

There is also hope on the horizon for farmers when it comes to rising labor costs. Changes to the H2A program’s Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) and crew deployment rules will allow for greater labor flexibility, reduced costs, and improved compliance. It promises to give berry growers the freedom to manage labor efficiently while staying compliant. Wishnatzki: “Although the changes won’t be reflected this season, these reforms have the potential to be a big win for the domestic industry and help level the playing field with Mexico.”

Strawberries continue to lead berry category growth, with $500 million in year-over-year dollar gains. With strong consumer demand and a robust supply chain, Wish Farms is well-positioned to meet market needs with high-quality berries and reliable delivery.

MORGAN HILL, CA - Monterey Mushrooms, the premier vertically integrated mushroom grower in the United States, is proud to announce the certification of its Organic Spent Mushroom Compost (COSMC) by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The rigorous 24-month certification process recognizes Monterey Mushrooms’ passion and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of natural resources. It recognizes the care and innovation woven into every part of its operations; from the way the mushrooms are grown to how the byproducts are managed. By giving new life to the spent compost in a certified organic form, Monterey Mushrooms is closing the loop on its growing process and creating additional value for farmers, gardeners, and the environment alike.

"Earning CDFA organic certification for our spent compost was no small feat! It was the result of nearly two years of rigorous work and dedication across our teams. The process required detailed documentation, strict compliance with regulatory standards, and ongoing audits to ensure every step met the highest organic requirements,” shared Chris Thomsen, Operations Manager for Monterey Mushrooms, in the recent release. “We’re proud of this achievement because it demonstrates not only our commitment to sustainability, but also the care and discipline we put into producing a product that supports organic farming and environmental stewardship."

Mushrooms are already one of the most sustainable foods on the planet, requiring minimal water, land, and energy to produce. Building on that advantage, Monterey Mushrooms strives to make every aspect of its business—from farming and packaging to transportation and product development—more environmentally responsible. This organic certification is not only a reflection of the company’s efforts but also a step forward in its ongoing mission to leave a lighter footprint and contribute to a healthier planet.

Keith Day, Owner of Keith Day Gabilan Ag Services shared, “We’ve been helping Salinas Valley farmers care for their soil since 2002. And no matter if it’s orchards or vineyards or maintaining landscapes, we see consistent quality and sustainable results for every grower when we incorporate certified organic spent mushroom compost from Monterey Mushrooms into our custom compost blends. The outcomes show that it naturally improves soil health, boosts moisture retention, and supports strong plant growth.”

Row crop and leafy green farmers throughout the Salinas Valley now have access to a reliable, high-yield alternative to synthetic fertilizers. A finely balanced mixture of straw, peat moss, cottonseed meal, mined gypsum, mined lime, and other natural ingredients, COSMC is a nutrient-rich, natural soil amendment designed to enhance soil fertility, optimize productivity and achieve healthier, higher-quality harvests across a wide range of crops and landscapes.

Key Benefits Include:

• Improves Soil Composition: Loosens heavy soils and enhances aeration while helping sandy soils retain moisture.
• Boosts Fertility Naturally: Provides humus, organic matter, and light fertilization to support vigorous plant growth.
• Enhances Water Efficiency: Increases water-holding capacity, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
• pH Balancing: With a natural pH in the range of around 8.0–8.3, Mushroom Compost can help neutralize acidic soils and serve as a sustainable alternative to lime.
• Versatile Use: Ideal for amending planting beds, vegetable gardens, topdressing lawns, and as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

Certified Organic Spent Mushroom Compost is available wholesale to businesses by the cubic yard. Visit www.montereymushrooms.com/wholesale-organic-spent-mushroom-compost for more information or to inquire about an order.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Leading affordable grocery app Flashfood is making its Los Angeles debut in partnership with Gelson’s Markets. This introduces Flashfood’s signature and popular Produce Box – a mix of affordable, fresh and high-quality produce – to anyone looking for a great deal on fruits and vegetables.

Shoppers in West Hollywood, Silver Lake, and surrounding neighborhoods can now reserve $9 assortments of seasonal fruits and vegetables nearing peak freshness directly through the Flashfood app, then pick them up at participating Gelson’s stores. This offers convenient access to delicious, affordable produce while preventing it from going to waste.

“The city of Los Angeles leads the country’s trends by celebrating what is pushing food, health, culture, and community forward,” said Jordan Schenck, CEO of Flashfood, in the recent release. “This is the perfect audience for us, and a celebrated retailer like Gelson’s is the perfect partner to do it. We want to showcase the power of our platform in the purest form: affordable, delicious produce as a gateway to wellness, affordability and sustainability.”

The partnership marks Flashfood’s first market in Southern California, a region famous for its seasonal and plentiful produce – but also its high cost of living. It also builds on Gelson’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and innovation, turning surplus produce into an opportunity for shoppers to save while helping to keep food out of landfills.

“Gelson’s is known for exceptional produce, and our partnership with Flashfood gives shoppers an easy way to enjoy fresh produce at a great price while reducing food waste in our community,” said Rick Williams, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Gelson’s Markets. “It’s another step in our ongoing effort to support a more sustainable food system here in Southern California.”

Flashfood’s Produce Boxes

This is Flashfood’s first grocery partner to focus exclusively on the Produce Box offering: a box of mixed fresh fruits and vegetables designed to give the shopper approximately pounds of produce at great prices. They’re by far the number one selling item on Flashfood, with more than 1.2 million boxes sold in 2025 alone.

This matters for a couple of reasons. Fruits and vegetables make up a massive portion of US food waste: 43% of all surplus food, equal to more than 30 million tons per year (ReFED, 2023). At the same time, fewer than 1 in 10 people in the US eat the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables (Partnership for A Healthier America). In part because it’s expensive! For the last 40 years, we’ve seen the price of produce drastically outpacing the cost increase of other foods (USDA).

To date, Flashfood has diverted over 145 million pounds of food from landfills and saved shoppers more than $370 million on groceries. Flashfood’s expansion into L.A. represents a continued push to make nutritious food affordable and accessible in all markets across North America.

For more information, including a list of participating Gelson’s locations and to download the app, visit www.flashfood.com.