PLAINFIELD, WI - From August 12–15, Syngenta Vegetable Seeds will be hosting its Future Of Veg Field Day in Plainfield, Wisconsin. Johnny Parker, Product Specialist LSV Fresh/LBO/SOL East, sat down with me to share some exclusive details.

“One component of the event will be our Field Tours. These will consist of guided walks through demonstration plots of Attribute® II and Attribute® Plus sweet corn and new bean varieties,” Johnny began telling me. “Second, we will be providing a Future Pipeline Preview—a sneak peek at upcoming varieties in development. This will include a discussion of future breeding goals and market trends.”

Syngenta’s Attribute II series sweet corn represents the latest in cutting-edge technology for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance, Johnny relayed. Attendees will get firsthand exposure to this advanced technology at the event.

Attribute II trait stacks:

• Features the power of Vip3A for unsurpassed protection against harmful lepidopteran pests
• Highly effective against Western bean cutworm, which has emerged as a serious and growing threat in many production areas
• Potentially leading to higher yields and better-quality crops

“Visitors will learn how Attribute II varieties can contribute to more sustainable farming practices through reduced pesticide use and improved resource efficiency,” Johnny explained. “One key takeaway for attendees will be a better technology understanding; we will provide comprehensive knowledge of how Attribute technology works in sweet corn, plus the benefits and potential limitations of this technology.”

The latest bean varieties—Revision and Matriarch—will also be on display during the event.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to see and learn about our latest bean varieties, which may offer improvements in yield, disease resistance, or other desirable traits. Plainfield will include field tours, allowing customers to see these varieties growing in real conditions and compare them to standard varieties,” Johnny added. “We will highlight the characteristics and advantages and how they compare to existing options in the market.”

Other highlights at the event:

• Customers will get early information about upcoming varieties or technologies in the pipeline
• Technical experts and breeders will be present to provide in-depth information about Syngenta varieties and their benefits
• Representatives from Syngenta Seed Care will be on hand to discuss the benefits of its industry-leading large-seeded vegetable seed treatment portfolio
• Attendees will also learn the new products in the pipeline that will enhance the current portfolio even further

“Those who attend will have an exclusive look at our future developments. We will provide insight into the company's R&D pipeline for sweet corn and beans, as well as upcoming varieties or technologies in development,” Johnny noted. “We will also share information on how to participate in future trials of these or other new varieties. These takeaways should equip attendees with the knowledge and connections needed to make informed decisions about adopting these new varieties and technologies in their operations.”

Growers can register to attend the event here.

Last but certainly not least, Syngenta will also be hosting a Field Day in Woodland, California. Stay tuned for our ANUK coverage.

MONTEREY, CA - Registration is now open for the eighth annual Organic Grower Summit (OGS), presented by Farm Progress, taking place Dec. 3-4, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California. This premier two-day event connects growers, consultants, inspectors, and industry partners to advance organic agriculture through education and collaboration.

Key Highlights of the 2025 Summit:

Expanded Educational Sessions — Double the educational content with four focused tracks covering sustainable practices, emerging technologies, and market trends

• Enhanced Ag Tech Showcase — Featuring live presentations of cutting-edge organic farming innovations
• Reimagined Awards Program — Four finalists will be recognized for excellence in organic growing practices, with one ultimately being named Grower of the Year, sponsored by John Deere
• Exclusive Networking Opportunities — Dedicated networking opportunities for meaningful connections across the organic sector, beginning with a Welcome and General Session
• Comprehensive Tradeshow — Access to the latest organic production tools, services, and expertise

"The Organic Grower Summit has become an essential gathering for advancing organic agriculture," said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress senior national events director, in the recent press release. "We've designed an immersive experience that maximizes everyone's time, packing crucial connections, resources, and learning opportunities into two productive days that deliver real value."

The summit will culminate with the prestigious Grower of the Year Awards presentation, sponsored by John Deere, celebrating excellence in organic farming. Nominations for the 2025 Organic Grower of the Year Award can be submitted via the official website through Aug. 31, 2025.

2025 Registration

The Full 2-Day Pass provides the most comprehensive summit experience:

• Complete access to all educational sessions and networking events
• All meals, including breakfasts, lunches, and coffee breaks
• Entry to the Ag Tech Showcase and keynote presentation
• Attendance at the Grower of the Year awards ceremony
• Full access to the tradeshow featuring leading-edge organic solutions

For those with limited schedules, single-day passes are available that include all activities scheduled for the selected day. Complete registration details and package options can be viewed online here.

Registration is now open for all organic industry and allied trades professionals, including growers, consultants, and inspectors.

DE PERE, WI - Festival Foods® is kicking off the peak of cherry season in a big way – literally. On July 16, the De Pere Festival Foods location will host the largest cherry display in company history: a 9-foot wide, 30-foot long, 6-foot-high mountain of fresh cherries hand-picked from Pacific Northwest orchards. Guests can view the cherry display on Festival Foods' social media pages - if they’re not visiting the De Pere store - and enter the contest by commenting on their guess of how many cherries were used on the cherry display post. The four closest guesses will each win a $50 Festival Foods gift card.

This event is a celebration of summer’s sweetest harvest, in partnership with Superfresh Growers®, premium grower and shipper of Northwest cherries, and Crazy Fresh, produce partner to Festival Foods. Together, the three companies are delivering an unforgettable cherry experience for Wisconsin shoppers. 

Often called the “diamonds of summer,” each cherry in the display has been carefully grown and hand-harvested by family farms in the Pacific Northwest. Shoppers will also have the opportunity to meet Dave Gleason, Superfresh Growers’ horticulturist and grower, who will be on-site July 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to offer samples, share insights, and answer questions about cherry growing and harvesting. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring this spectacular cherry display to De Pere,” said Andrew Brehmer, Senior Director of Produce & Floral at Festival Foods, in the recent release. “It’s a testament to our commitment to celebrating high-quality seasonal produce. Working alongside Crazy Fresh and Superfresh Growers, we’re proud to highlight the story and quality behind every cherry.”

Don’t miss this chance to taste the season’s best and experience a once-in-a-season display that’s as bold and vibrant as the fruit itself. 

GREENCASTLE, PA - Keystone Fruit Marketing, a division of Progressive Produce, is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural Mexican lemon season. As the exclusive marketer for this new program, Keystone is excited to offer high-quality lemons under its KFM Citrus label.

“This is a new and exciting chapter for us,” said Matthew Gideon, Sales and Commodity Manager at Keystone, in the recent release. “Our Mexico onion grower planted oranges and lemons a couple of years ago, and this season marks the first time our lemons are commercially viable. It’s a natural extension of our existing relationship, and we’re eager to build on our partnership moving forward.”

The program will begin in July and run for approximately three months, with consistent weekly volumes expected throughout the season. Lemons will cross through South Texas and be distributed across the United States and Canada.

Initial production will start with 40-50 acres, with plans to expand to 100 acres by the 2026 summer season. Bulk cartons will be packed in Mexico, while a full lineup of consumer pack options will be available through Keystone’s third-party warehouse in South Texas.

“We’re especially proud to promote our KFM Citrus label across bulk and consumer packaging,” added Gideon. “This is just the beginning, and we’re committed to delivering a premium product with every shipment.”

For more information about Keystone’s new Mexican lemons program, please contact Matthew Gideon at 210-259-3530 or [email protected].

CORONA, CA - Index Fresh, a global leader in avocado marketing and distribution, is experiencing one of its strongest California seasons in recent years, presenting exceptional promotional opportunities for retail and foodservice buyers as the market landscape shifts.

California avocados deliver both strong promotional value and reliable supply. With the 2025 harvest projected at 340 million pounds—the largest crop since 2020—and about one-third of the season still ahead, buyers have significant volume available for summer promotions.

“California’s 2025 harvest delivers a combination of exceptional quality and promotional opportunity. The fruit currently exhibits optimal dry matter percentages, resulting in a creamy taste profile and premium quality,” commented Susie Rea, Sales & Business Development, in a recent release. “Post-harvest ripening and flavor profiles are performing at peak levels, giving buyers confidence in consumer satisfaction and repeat purchases.”

This season’s strong size curve also benefits promotions, with excellent volume in medium and small fruit sizes—ideal for blow-out pricing on 40s and 48s, best timed for backyard barbecues and summer specials.

Limited-Time Offering: Lamb Hass

For the next three to four weeks, buyers have access to a limited-time offering that showcases California’s unique Lamb Hass variety—larger, distinctive avocados that offer differentiation in the marketplace. With creative merchandising and POS support, Lamb Hass can create consumer excitement for specialty promotions.

Extended Season Means Flexibility and Security

With at least six to eight more weeks of harvest, buyers can count on a steady supply of California avocados through the summer and back-to-school campaigns. California pricing is currently in line with Mexico. Meanwhile, uncertainty over tariffs on Mexican avocados makes California fruit a valuable and reliable choice, helping buyers minimize risk as the market navigates evolving trade challenges. Now is the perfect time to feature California avocados and set your program up for current and future success.