MONTEREY, CA - The highly anticipated 2025 Organic Grower Summit (OGS) is set to bring together the brightest minds, innovative technologies and actionable insights in organic agriculture. Scheduled to take place on Dec. 3-4, 2025, in Monterey, California, this year’s summit promises an engaging lineup, including a welcome keynote and a wide variety of seminars.

The event kicks off on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 8 a.m. with Sylvia Tawse, founder and chief fresh officer at the Fresh Ideas Group. Her welcome keynote, “Unsung Heroes in Organic — How to Apply Their Legacies to Your Organic Success,” will explore the challenges and triumphs that have paved the way for the industry's $71 billion success today.

After the keynote, growers can choose from a dozen educational seminars throughout the morning, which will occur at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

"The Organic Grower Summit is more than just an event — it’s a platform for collaboration, innovation and solutions," said Mike Wilson, senior executive editor at Farm Progress, in a recent release. "This year’s seminars tackle the most pressing challenges in organic agriculture, from labor shortages to sustainability, while showcasing cutting-edge technologies and strategies that empower growers to thrive in an ever-changing industry.”

Highlighted Seminars

"Food Safety vs. Biodiversity: Can Organic Farms Have Both?" - Moderated by Joelle Mosso of Western Growers Association, this seminar will explore the delicate balance between food safety regulations and biodiversity practices. Panelists include Traci Roberts (D’Arrigo California), Daniel Karp (UC Davis) and Eric Morgan (Rooted Ag). Attendees will gain practical strategies for managing conservation efforts while meeting strict safety standards.

"Unlock the Power of Marketing for Organic Produce!" - Led by Todd Linsky, CEO of Todd Linsky Consulting, this interactive seminar will provide actionable tools to enhance organic marketing efforts. Panelists such as Karen Nardozza (Moxxy Marketing), Sandi Kronick (Happy Dirt) and Reyna Graves (Sprouts Farmers Market) will share insights on leveraging USDA Organic certification, storytelling promotions and consumer demand trends.

"Coming Soon: Advanced, Cost-Effective Robotics for Enhanced Organic Farming Profitability" - This forward-looking seminar, moderated by Danny Bernstein (The Reservoir), will showcase how robotics and AI are transforming organic farming. Panelists include Tim Bucher (Agtonomy), Kristen Smith-Eshaya (JV Smith Co.) and Nishan Moutafian (Driscoll’s) who will discuss real-world applications of ag tech to address labor shortages and improve efficiency.

"Organic + Regenerative: Growing Stronger Together?" - Christopher Gergen of the Regenerative Organic Alliance will moderate a lively discussion on the synergies between organic and regenerative farming. Confirmed panelists include growers Blake Alexandre and Scott Park, as well as Anders Lundberg (Lundberg Family Farms), who will share their experiences in advancing soil health and biodiversity.

Find the full seminar schedule and the speaker lineup on the official website.

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.

LOS ANGELES, CA - This back-to-school season, Wonderful Halos celebrated the everyday heroes who make a lasting impact on students’ lives through a nationwide contest to help fund classrooms and support educators.

According to the National Education Association, more than 90% of educators buy their own classroom supplies, and inflation has driven those costs up nearly 24%. Wonderful Halos stepped in to ease the financial burden of the new school year, awarding one grand prize $10,000 cash winner, and five second-prize winners, who received $1,500 Amazon e-gift cards, to help benefit their schools.

After a tremendous response and hundreds of nominations from coast to coast sharing heroic stories of how teachers are making a difference in students’ lives every day, Mrs. Bradshaw from Mulcahey Elementary School in Taunton, MA was named Wonderful Halos’ Sweetest Teacher. From housing insecurity to generational trauma, custody battles, and substance abuse, Mrs. Bradshaw understands the complex realities many of her students face and how these challenges show up in the classroom.

Five incredible honorees, who received a $1,500 Amazon eGift card, were recognized as our second-prize winners for their sweet contributions to their schools:

• Mrs. Hornberger of Middleburg Elementary School in Middleburg, PA, creates a welcoming, inclusive classroom, even keeping a Halloween costume bin on hand to ensure no child ever feels left out.
• Chef Anthony of Indian Trails Middle School in Winter Springs, FL, leads the school’s culinary program, where students gain confidence, explore creativity, and develop a love for healthy eating.
• Mrs. Miller of Carroll High School in Southlake, TX, is a compassionate listener who works tirelessly to prepare her students for success in higher education – while remaining their mentor long after they graduate.
• Mrs. Reily of Swiftwater Elementary School in Swiftwater, PA, brings more than ten years of special education experience, celebrating each student’s victories, big or small, and offering a classroom where every child feels safe, understood, and valued.
• Mrs. Suehiro of Jefferson Elementary School in Fresno, CA, has inspired thousands of students in a low-income community to dream big and grow into accomplished adults.

Contest Details

Nomination Eligibility:

A current Teacher at a public or private school located in the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia (excluding Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam) that educates children between the grades of Pre-K through 12 (a “Nominee”). For the purposes of this Contest, a Teacher was defined as a professional educator who works with students as a whole class in a classroom at a public or private school. This does not include student teachers, teachers’ aides, administration, nurses, guidance counselors and paraprofessionals. Subject-specialty teachers, including science, music, arts, etc. are eligible for participation.

• Criteria:
  • Nominators had to visit www.halosfun.com/sweetestteachercontest to access the Contest entry form, enter their information as the Nominator, enter the Nominee’s information, and include a brief statement (350 words or fewer) explaining how the prize would benefit their classroom.
  • Entries were evaluated based on the nominee’s impact, classroom needs, emotional resonance, and originality.

SUNBURY, PA - Weis Markets celebrated the grand opening of its Leonardtown store with a preview event and ribbon cutting. The 43,000 square-foot store, located at 40845 Merchants Lane, is the 52nd Weis Markets store to open in Maryland and opened to the public on October 16.

"We are proud to bring Weis Markets to the Leonardtown community and welcome local families to experience our unwavering commitment to quality, value and convenience," said Jonathan Weis, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Weis Markets, in the recent release. "It's an honor to continue this location's longstanding tradition of serving families throughout the area. We're excited to welcome shoppers back and show them how we've transformed this space while preserving its essential role as a neighborhood cornerstone."

The store, which is managed by Tom Brill, will employ more than 125 full- and part-time associates, with many coming from the previous store.

Leonardtown customers will benefit from Weis’ new Price Lock program on high-demand seasonal items, the Low, Low Price program, providing low prices on more than 10,000 products, as well as its weekly Hot Buys program and the Weis Rewards program. Together, these enable customers to receive the lowest prices on thousands of items. The store will also offer Weis 2 Go Online ordering with curbside pick-up and delivery. Customers can order online at WeisMarkets.com and have their groceries handpicked by trained personal shoppers.

In celebration of the grand opening and to thank the community for the warm welcome, Weis Markets presented $1,500 donations to local organizations, including the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, YMCA of St. Mary’s County, and the Hospice at St. Mary’s.

A $10,000 donation was also made to the Maryland Food Bank in support of its efforts in St. Mary’s County. The donations are part of a year-round giving program which includes campaigns to support local community hunger organizations and many other local nonprofits.

For more information, visit WeisMarkets.com.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - I have never tired of writing about the Allen Lund Company or the family behind it. After nearly fifteen years, each conversation still reveals something new—about our industry, about lasting values, and my own path as well. When Jenna Day’s biography, Be Good: The Allen Lund Story, was released, that narrative grew both deeper and beautifully wider. Allen’s presence was unmistakable—humble, passionate, courageous. In speaking with his wife, Kathie Lund, and ALC Executive Vice President David Lund, I found that his influence continues to reach people in ways the family never expected—long after he’s left us, yet as vividly as if he were still here.

“Allen’s life was very special, and everyone who met him has a story to tell. He was that kind of unique and warm person,” Kathie shared when we spoke one warm afternoon this summer. “When it came to deciding to put the book together with Jenna, the timing just felt right. The company is growing, and as we build a team with new employees and a broader reach, we want to ensure that everyone here understands the foundation this company was built upon—and the story of the man who shaped it.”

David took a moment after his mother spoke to let the enormity of her words settle. Having met Allen myself years prior, it was a sentiment I understood.

“My mom decided to take it upon herself to sign a copy of the book for every one of our employees, with a personal note,” David recalled. “In true form, the book itself is dedicated to the employees. We had them all sorted by offices and sent out more than 700 copies. That was important to my mom—and that’s what it means to work for the Allen Lund Company. We are a family.”

To say that family is at the center of this book would be an understatement. It was its sustenance and guiding principle.

For Allen, Kathie, and their family, growing the company from modest roots into a national presence became a testament to hard work and deep faith. The story reveals how discipline, humility, and purpose can quietly transform an ordinary life into an extraordinary example of everyday sainthood. For those who knew Allen as a devoted husband, father of six, and faithful daily Mass-goer, this book offers a richer portrait. Be Good illuminates the depth of Allen’s character—the passion and enthusiasm that animated his life—qualities that made building a billion-dollar company not merely a professional achievement, but a natural extension of who he was.

“It’s still amazing that we’re finding out things Allen did that we never knew,” Kathie told me. “Once we published the book, we opened the door for others who knew him to share their stories. I got to know Allen in so many new ways and through the eyes of others who loved him. You didn’t have to embellish Allen’s journey—you just had to tell the real story. Everybody has a simple story of something he did or said that changed their life for the better. I think he taught many people how to be good without ever giving a formal lesson. He just led by example.”

The stories in this book were gathered during what Jenna and the family affectionately called Monday Night Therapy. These weekly sessions drew out the depth and breadth of Allen and Kathie’s journey, allowing the family to reflect, remember, and see their history through new eyes—while also shaping a vision for the future.

“I hope that when people read this book, they feel inspired to make a difference in their own lives,” David expressed. “It is a faith journey, a business journey, and a couple’s journey. I cannot express how grateful we are to have such an incredible gift to pass down from generation to generation.”

The family invites you to share your personal stories and memories and help celebrate the legacy of a man who touched so many lives. Post your stories via www.allenlund.life.

Be Good: The Allen Lund Story is available for purchase at Dynamic Catholic, Walmart, and Amazon.

Published by Dynamic Catholic, the book is more than a collection of stories—it’s a lasting tribute to Allen’s spirit and the quiet, profound ways his life continues to inspire others.