Are you a farmer, small business owner, or retail manager looking to boost your organic sales? Join us for an interactive, hands-on session that will transform how you market organic produce!

What You’ll Learn:

1. The 4 Ps of Marketing—Product, Price, Place, and Promotion—tailored for organic success.
2. How to leverage USDA Organic certification and premium pricing to stand out.
3. Smart strategies for local distribution and storytelling promotions that resonate.
4. Key insights into what drives consumer demand—health, sustainability, and quality—especially among Millennials and Gen Z who crave transparency.

Why You Should Attend:

1. Walk away with actionable tools like a marketing checklist, sample retailer materials, and survey templates.
2. Learn how to test and refine your promotional strategies for maximum impact.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your edge, this session will give you the tools to connect with consumers and retailers more effectively—and grow your organic brand.

Reserve your spot today and take your organic marketing to the next level!

Moderator: Todd Linsky, CEO, Todd Linsky Consulting

Panelists:

• Sandi Kronick, CEO, Happy Dirt
• Reyna Graves, Director, Merchandising Vegetables and Floral, Sprouts Farmers Market
• Chris Ford, Business Development and Marketing Manager, Viva Tierra

The Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule has been in full effect for over a year—and the results are in. Organic fraud is being stopped at the border, documentation accuracy is improving, and the integrity of the organic label is stronger than ever. But what does this mean for growers?

This session breaks down how SOE is reshaping the organic supply chain and what you need to know to stay compliant and competitive.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the new documentation requirements for certified organic operations and imports.
• Learn how relationships with brokers, co-packers, and uncertified handlers may need to change.
• Discover what buyers are now demanding from suppliers—and how to meet those expectations.
• Get ahead of emerging compliance risks tied to complex business structures.

Whether you're selling domestically or internationally, this session will help you navigate the new landscape with confidence and clarity.

Moderator: John Foster, Chief Operating Officer, Wolf and Associates

Panelists:

• Jennifer Tucker, Ag Marketing Service Deputy Administrator, USDA National Organic Program
• Jeff Fairchild, Buyer, Organically Grown Company 
• Amanda Felder, Organic Integrity Manager, Taylor Farms
• April Vasquez, Chief Certification and Operations Officer, California Certified Organic Farmers

The global marketplace is shifting — are you ready? This session explores the 2026 outlook for key specialty crops, with expert insights into price trends, production forecasts, and emerging demand signals. Learn how domestic consumption patterns, export opportunities, and evolving trade dynamics could shape profitability for growers of stone fruit, nuts, avocados, citrus — as well as dairy producers. Gain the intel you need to plan and position your operation for success.

Moderator: Matt Landi, VP Industry Relations, Organic Trade Association

Panelists:

• Scott Mabs, CEO, Homegrown Organic Farms
• Brian Keogh, Senior Buyer, Organically Grown Company
• Ron Lautrup, Vice President, Baugher Ranch Organics

From salad bowls to fruit baskets, consumer demand continues to evolve. This seminar dives into the 2026 market forecast for berries, leafy greens, pome fruit, and grapes — with a focus on price expectations, supply trends, and potential headwinds or tailwinds in trade. Hear from market analysts who track these crops closely and uncover how shifting domestic consumption and global demand will affect growers’ bottom lines. Walk away with actionable insights to guide your production and marketing strategies for the coming season.

Moderator: Sara Neagu-Reed, Director, Production & Environmental Policy, IFPA

Panelists:

• Dr. Ricky Volpe, Ag Economist, Cal Poly
• Ian LeMay, CEO, CA Table Grapes Commission
• Doug Perkins, Business Development Manager, Home Grown Organic Farms
  

All too often robotics and other AI-enabled innovations stall in the lab and never reach the field. This session pulls back the curtain on how cutting-edge ag tech is being vetted, validated, and deployed to solve real-world farming challenges today. Join a dynamic conversation between tech entrepreneurs and growers who are bridging the gap between Silicon Valley innovation and Salinas Valley application. You’ll hear firsthand how new tools are being tested and scaled to make organic farming more affordable, efficient, and sustainable.

What you’ll learn:

• How a unique investor-incubator model is accelerating field-ready solutions
• How AI agents could revolutionize decision-making on the farm
• How robotics and automation are tackling labor shortages and boosting harvest efficiency
• How the convergence of tech and ag is reshaping the future of organic farming

This is not a pitch—it’s a practical, boots-on-the-ground look at what’s working, what’s coming, and how you can be part of it.

Moderator: Matthew Hoffman, General Partner, The Reservoir

Panelists:

• Kristen Smith-Eshaya, President, JV Smith Co.
• Tim Bucher, CEO & Co-founder, Agtonomy and Owner, Trattore Farms
• Nishan Moutafian, Vice President of U.S., Baja, and Canadian Production, Driscoll’s

Organic certification can feel overwhelming—confusing paperwork, audit stress, and uncertainty about how to turn it into a market advantage. But your certifier isn’t just a regulator—they can be a powerful ally in helping your operation thrive.

This session is designed to help growers take control of the certification process and use it to their benefit. Hear directly from experienced certifiers and growers who’ve streamlined their systems, avoided costly mistakes, and built strong working relationships with their certifying bodies.

We’ll cover:

• Common pitfalls that slow certification or trigger noncompliance
• How to communicate proactively with your certifier
• What you can expect from your certifier—and what you can ask for
• Strategies for managing multiple organic entities or diverse operations

Got questions about import certificates, tariff codes, or complex business structures? Wondering if you can bundle seasonal imports, like blueberries from Chile, under one certificate? We’ll tackle those real-world scenarios and more, with time set aside for Q&A so you can get answers tailored to your operation.

Whether you're new to organic or managing a multi-entity farm, this session will help you reduce stress, improve accuracy, and make certification work smarter for your business.

Join us—and turn certification into a strategic advantage.

Moderator: John Foster, Chief Operating Officer, Wolf & Associates

Panelists:

• Aaron Turner, Director of Operations, Organic Certifiers
• Amanda Felder, Director of Organic Compliance, Taylor Farms

Are you an organic farmer who is curious—or concerned—about regenerative agriculture? You’re not alone. As regenerative farming gains traction, many organic growers wonder how the two approaches fit together and what it means for consumer understanding and market identity. Some wonder: Is regenerative just another confusing green label that weakens the organic message? Or is it a gateway that clears the path for farmers to consider and perhaps prepare for going organic?

This educational session is designed to clear the air and build bridges. Join fellow farmers, certification experts, and soil health advocates for a lively, practical discussion on how organic and regenerative farming can work hand-in-hand to:

• Advance soil health and biodiversity across farming systems
• Support farmers of all backgrounds in adopting and advancing soil-friendly practices
• Maintain the rigor of organic certification while exploring regenerative innovation
• Clarify distinctions and synergies for consumers and buyers

We’ll explore real-world examples, marketing strategies, and certification pathways that show how these two systems can complement—not compete with—each other. What elements of organic standards are Bonafide regenerative on their own? What can organic do to build bridges with those in regenerative while still maintaining standards and integrity? 

Whether you're certified organic, exploring regenerative practices, or just trying to make sense of the buzz, this session will leave you informed, inspired, and equipped to make confident decisions for your farm and your future.

Let’s grow the conversation—and the soil—together.

Moderator: Christopher Gergen, CEO, Regenerative Organic Alliance

Panelists:

• Blake Alexandre, Grower, Alexandre Family Farms
• Scott Park, Grower, Park Farming Organics
• Anders Lundberg, Director of Farming Operations, Lundberg Family Farms 

Can organic crops yield as much—or more—than conventional ones? New products like biostimulants, algae-based fertilizers, and pyrolysis materials are helping organic farmers do just that. In this session experts will share real results and practical tips on how these tools can improve crop health, increase yields, and perhaps even lower costs. You’ll learn how science-backed methods are making organic farming more productive and sustainable through innovative product development. Whether you're growing fruits, vegetables, or other specialty crops, this session will give you fresh ideas to help your farm thrive. Come discover how to grow more using fewer resources—while staying true to organic principles.

Moderator: John Foster, Chief Operating Officer, Wolf & Associates

Panelists:

• Dave Booher, Senior Vice President, Sales, MyLand Company, Inc.
• Ramy Colfer, Vice President, Research & Development and Agronomy, True Organic Products

Organic farming is gaining traction not only among traditional ag lenders but also with a growing wave of nontraditional investors—including venture capital firms, land asset managers, and angel investors—who are actively funding certified organic farms and those in transition. While organic operations may involve unique financial structures, many lenders and investors are recognizing the long-term value of diversified production, premium pricing, and resilient business models. In this session you will:

• Learn how financial institutions and alternative capital sources are changing their views on organic agriculture
• Discover proactive steps organic farmers can take to position themselves for favorable loan and investment terms.

Join us to learn how to turn perceived challenges into strategic advantages in today’s expanding farm financial landscape.

Moderator: Jessy Beckett Parr, Chief Program Officer, California Certified Organic Farmers Foundation

Panelists:

• Wood Turner, Partner, Agriculture Capital 
  
• Stephen Hohenrieder, CEO and Founder, Grounded Capital
• Russell Ragsdale, Senior Vice President, Commercial Credit manager, Bank of America

Solving the Labor Crisis in Specialty Crops: What’s Next for Growers?

Labor costs are soaring, the workforce is shrinking, and specialty crop growers are feeling the pressure. Last year alone, California growers spent a staggering $16.3 billion on 850 million man-hours—two-thirds of it just on harvest. With immigration crackdowns intensifying and the H-2A program proving costly and complex, the labor crisis is hitting farms hard.

So what’s the path forward?

Join us for a high-impact session where labor experts, growers, and policy insiders tackle the toughest questions:

• What’s being done to make foreign guest worker programs more accessible?
• Is meaningful immigration reform finally on the horizon?
• Can automation and robotics offer real solutions for specialty crop harvests?

This is your chance to hear straight from the front lines—real-world insights, candid discussion, and a look at what’s coming next. If you’re a grower navigating labor uncertainty, this session is a must-attend.

Let’s talk solutions. Let’s shape the future.

Moderator: Walt Duflock, Senior Vice President, Technology, Western Growers

Panelists:

• Mike McCullough, Ag Economist, Cal Poly
• Matt Rogers, General Manager, co-founder, AgSocio
• David Scaroni, Operations & Logistics Manager, Scaroni Family of Companies

Harnessing the power of beneficial insects is a cornerstone of successful organic and regenerative farming practices. This engaging panel discussion will explore innovative strategies for integrating beneficial insects into farming systems to enhance crop health, improve yields, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

Join leading experts, growers, and entomologists as they share practical insights, real-world case studies, and cutting-edge research on how beneficial insects can serve as natural allies in pest management and soil health improvement. Topics will include habitat creation, insectary planting, biological pest control, and the role of biodiversity in fostering resilient farming ecosystems.

Whether you’re an experienced organic grower or transitioning to regenerative practices, this session will provide actionable takeaways to help you unlock the full potential of beneficial insects and achieve long-term sustainability on your farm.

Moderator: Gina Bella Colfer, Sustainable Solutions Manager, Wilbur Ellis Ag

Panelists:

• Teah Smith, Entomologist & Agricultural Consultant, Zirkle Fruit Company
• Houston Wilson, Farm Advisor & Entomologist, UCCE
• Chrissie Davis, Account Manager, Koppert Biological Systems
• Ryan Tomlin, Agronomy & Food Safety Manager, Duncan Family Farms