GROWER OF THE YEAR AWARD

2026 OGS Grower of the Year Nomination

The purpose of the Grower of the Year (GOTY) Award is to recognize growers who have excelled in organic agriculture practices, made significant contributions to the organic industry, and are recognized as role models among their peers in organic production agriculture. Through this award program, nominations will be collected from across the nation and evaluated by judging committee consisting of organic industry stakeholders and Farm Progress Staff. The judging committee will identify four outstanding organic producers who will be recognized as GOTY Finalists at the annual Organic Grower Summit in Monterey, CA. From this group, one grower will be selected as the overall Grower of the Year.

Please complete this form as thoroughly as possible. The quality and detail of your responses will directly impact your nominee's chances of success. Take your time to provide specific examples and compelling evidence that showcase why they deserve this recognition.

Who qualifies for the Grower of the Year Award?

Nominees must be organic growers who meet three important criteria:

The Grower of the Year nominee must be a full-time grower whose operation gets a profitable return from producing organic crops and/or livestock.
The nominee must raise a significant portion of their product using organic production methods.
The nominee must participate in at least one USDA-accredited organic certification program.

The deadline for nominations is August 31, 2026.

The finalists will be chosen and notified in September based on their overall commitment to organic agriculture, adoption of innovative technologies, use of sustainable farming practices, and contributions to their local community and the agriculture industry.

Each of the four finalists will be recognized in Western Farm Press and will receive two complimentary registrations for the 2026 Organic Grower Summit, where they will be honored, and the overall Grower of the Year will be awarded. Each nominee will be provided with up to a $1,000 travel stipend, if needed, as well as complimentary hotel accommodations for the duration of the conference.

To nominate a grower for the 2026 Grower of the Year, please complete the nomination form found at http://www.organicgrowersummit.com/en/home.html by August 31, 2026.

Finalists will be notified via email by September 30, 2026. Please note: All finalists must attend the 2026 Organic Grower Summit to be considered for the Grower of the Year Award. If you cannot attend, you must notify Farm Progress so another grower may be considered.

KNOW A WORTHY ORGANIC GROWER? NOMINATE FOR 2026 NOW

CONGRATULATIONS DUNCAN FAMILY FARMS

The Organic Grower Summit (OGS) has named Arnott Duncan, founder of Duncan Family Farms, as the 2025 Grower of the Year. The John Deere-sponsored award recognizes Duncan's three-decade transformation from small-scale agritourism operator to organic farming innovator managing 3,850 acres across three states.Duncan's path to organic leadership began with an accidental discovery in the 1990s. While operating a farm stand and petting zoo that attracted 30,000 children annually to his Goodyear, Arizona, property, Duncan and his wife Kathleen composted daily waste from the animals and farm operations.

Photo caption: Arnott Duncan of Duncan Family Farms (left) receives the Organic Grower of the Year award from Greg Christensen of John Deere (right).

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CELEBRATING THE GROWER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

This year’s Grower of the Year Award Finalists are redefining organic farming through innovative practices and commitment to sustainability and community impact. From leafy greens to cotton and grains, the finalists highlight the diversity of organic agriculture. Learn more about these trailblazing leaders, and check out the summit’s new four-finalist format.

WATCH THEIR VIDEO STORIES

Arnott Duncan, Duncan Family Farms (Arizona, Oregon, New York): Led by Arnott Duncan, this 3,850-acre operation specializes in organic leafy greens, herbs and specialty crops. Known for its advanced composting and irrigation systems, Duncan Family Farms also donates thousands of pounds of produce weekly to local food banks and supports educational programs for farmers.

Carl Pepper, Carl Pepper Farm (O'Donnell, Texas): Carl Pepper, known as the “Guru of Organic Cotton,” has been a leader in organic cotton farming for over 35 years. His 4,000-acre farm employs regenerative practices, shallow tillage techniques and custom equipment innovations. Pepper is also a co-founder of the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative and a mentor to new farmers.

Larry Jacobs, Jacobs Farm Del Cabo (Santa Cruz, California): Co-founder of a transformative cooperative, Larry’s farm is a model for soil health and water conservation.

Harold and Ross Wilken, Janie’s Farm & Janie’s Mill (Ashkum, Illinois): Champions of biodiversity and soil restoration, the Wilkens operate Illinois’ largest diversified organic farm and its only organic flour mill.

2024 WINNER - CONGRATULATIONS DICK PEIXOTO, LAKESIDE ORGANIC GARDENS

The Organic Grower Summit will honor Dick Peixoto, owner and grower of Lakeside Organic Gardens, as the recipient of the seventh annual Grower of the Year Award. The Grower of the Year Award, sponsored by Fendt, will be presented to Peixoto during the keynote presentation at the Organic Grower Summit. Peixoto, known for leading the largest family-owned and operated solely organic vegetable operation in the United States, was selected for his longstanding commitment to organic farming, sustainability and leadership in the organic industry.

Peixoto, a third-generation farmer, started his career early by hiring neighborhood kids to help him pick tomatoes on his family farm in the Pajaro Valley. Since founding Lakeside Organic Gardens in 1996, he has expanded his operation from 55 certified acres to 3,300 certified organic acres in California. Lakeside Organic Gardens now grows over 50 different organic commodities, available year-round, and distributed across the U.S. and Canada. Peixoto is deeply committed to sustainable farming practices, focusing on water conservation, energy optimization and promoting biodiversity.

When he’s not overseeing his fields or working at Lakeside’s custom cooler, Peixoto can be found at his farm-to-table restaurant in Watsonville, The California Grill, which serves fresh organic vegetables straight from Lakeside Organic Gardens.