Grower Roundtable: The State of Organic Growing-Keynote Presentation Announced for OGS 2022

Leadership from three of the nation's most progressive organic growing operations have been confirmed as panelists for the keynote presentation at the upcoming Organic Grower Summit (OGS) 2022 presented by Western Growers and OPN, slated for November 30–December 1 in Monterey, CA. 

“Grower Roundtable: The State of Organic Growing” will be moderated by Dave Puglia, President and CEO of Western Growers, and panelists will include Brie Reiter Smith, VP of product leadership for Driscoll’s; Michael DuPuis, quality assurance and public relations coordinator for Divine Flavor; and Tom Nunes V, President of The Nunes Company. Featuring candid commentary, the thought-provoking keynote presentation will explore how these three leaders in organic production are dealing with hot-button topics including supply chain issues, inflation, labor, new innovations, and technologies.

“While consumption of organic fresh produce continues to climb, domestic growers face an unprecedented array of regulatory and marketplace challenges that threaten future growth,” Puglia said. “The leaders on this panel will share valuable insight into the state of the organic industry and strategies for turning obstacles into opportunities.”

The fifth annual OGS is designed to provide information vital to organic growers and producers, including an overview of the opportunities and challenges in the production of organic fresh food. The newly announced keynote presentation is part of an extensive educational program designed to inform and engage organic producers, their service providers, and supply chain partners. 

Other educational sessions slated for OGS 2022 include:

• The Future of Ag Tech—Expanding On-Farm Profitability
• Regenerative Organic Marketing and Certification—What Lies Ahead?
• The Growth, Opportunities, and Future of CEA Production
• Get Ahead of the Curve and Avoid Regulatory Speedbumps
• Exploring Organic Research: A Discussion of Organic Grower Challenges and Solutions
• Less Chemistry and More Biology

OGS 2022 will be held November 30–December 1 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, CA, and general registration is currently open. The sold-out OGS trade show floor will feature soil amendment, ag tech, food safety, packaging, and equipment exhibitors who will have the opportunity to connect with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors, and food safety experts.

"In partnership with Western Growers, this year’s OGS will provide up-to-date resources and information to support the continued success of organic producers, with an emphasis on the role of ag technology," said Matt Seeley, co-founder of Organic Produce Network. "From seed to soil to harvest, our goal is to present the most relevant information on the most important subjects and issues facing organic production."

Further details on the educational program, including session topics and speakers, will be released in the coming weeks. For more information on the fifth annual OGS, please visit www.organicgrowersummit.com.

About Organic Produce Network:

OPN is a marketing organization serving as the go-to resource for the organic fresh produce industry. The company's mission is to inform and educate through a strong digital presence with an emphasis on original content and complemented by engaging live events that bring together various components of the organic food community. OPN’s audience includes organic producers, handlers, distributors, processors, wholesalers, foodservice operators, and retailers.