2024 EVENT AGENDA

08:00 AM Will ag tech make organic farms more profitable?
📍Monterey A - Pebble/Beach

Robots and AI make headlines, but when will this new technology have a practical, profitable impact on organic farms? What needs to happen to get appropriate technology into the hands of farmers? Our panel will discuss the near-term adoption rate and ROI for new ag technology. They will answer these questions: What are the new tech trends that have staying power and uptime support — this year and down the road? Robots or hand labor — what makes sense in what crop and what is the ROI? What is happening in the evolution of tech in ag? How will it play out? 

Moderator: Walt Duflock | Panelists: Bartley Walker, Daniel Bernstein, Larry Jacobs

Regenerating Soil Health with Organic Practices
📍Monterey B - Pacific/Grove

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) released a  toolkit emphasizing the potential of organic systems to enhance soil health, and improve soil structure and organic matter. In this session, growers and researchers will share insights on organic practices that improve soil health and build on-farm resilience. They will delve into benefits of cover cropping, diversified crop rotations, compost applications and reduced tillage systems. Attendees will learn about resources available to those interested in improving soil health and implementing new practices. 

Moderator: Brise Tencer | Panelists: Eric Brennan, Karen Lowell, Scott Park

09:00 AM A whole systems approach to managing pests and weeds? A rundown on best practices
📍Monterey A - Pebble/Beach

Weeds can be the most expensive thing on an organic farm, and quite often fewer weeds means more profit.  To be sure, managing weeds and pests in an organic operation takes more management skill and outside-the-box thinking than conventional operations. We check in with a panel of growers who share their insights on best practices. 

Moderator: Vonnie Estes | Panelists: Eric Morgan, Doug Currier, Kim Horton, Gina Colfer

Can organics become a $144 billion market?
📍Monterey B - Pacific/Grove

Is organic the future of food? If so, what needs to happen for the U.S. market to grow from today's $60 billion to a projected $144 billion by 2032? Will certain categories grow faster than others, and why? This panel takes a look into the future of the market to offer a glimpse of potential headwinds and opportunities growers should be aware of as they consider their next strategic move. 

Moderator: Todd Linsky | Panelists: Chris Ford, Stephanie Alexandre, Meghan Diaz

10:00 AM What's available to farmers transitioning to organic: Growers and experts share tools and best practices
📍Monterey A - Pebble/Beach

Curious about organic, but don't know where to start? Worried that conventional pest control and nutrient management tools may not be available tomorrow? Organic production offers a holistic and cost-effective approach to nutrient management and pest control. Our panel offers real-world advice from a grower perspective, along with nutrient management experts who can share important resource information and insights. 

Moderator: Jessy Beckett Parr | Panelists: Bill Brosseau, Dick Peixoto, Ramy Colfer, Jaime Lopez

Organic, regenerative or both: What does the market want? Grower and retailer point of vie
📍Monterey B - Pacific/Grove

Does regenerative ag muddy the water on certified organic? If so, what does that mean from a marketing perspective? Who is the regen customer, what matters to them, and will they pay for it? Of all brands, organic is the most long-standing, trusted by consumers, but regen is growing 20% a year, according to SPIN research. Regenerative is new, but how well is it defined and does it threaten to replace organic? Who regulates, or does it need regulation? 

Moderator: Eric Morgan | Panelists: Ann Marie Hourigan, Larhea Pepper, Thaddeus Barsotti

10:15 AM How's SOE going so far?
📍Monterey Ballroom

Fraud is by far the biggest threat to the integrity and continued growth of organic food, a $62 billion industry in the United States. To combat fraud, USDA issued its SOE (Strengthening Organic Enforcement) rule. Operations and certifiers must have fully complied with the rule by March 19, 2024. These amendments close gaps in dated regulations to build consistent certification practices to deter and detect organic fraud and improve transparency and product traceability. This panel will provide an update on how the new roles are being implemented and offer insights on what's working and what needs improvements. 

Moderator: John Foster | Panelists: Jenny Tucker, John McKeon, Connie Karr, Meredith Kiser,

11:30 AM Keynote Presentation & Grower of the Year Awards
📍Monterey Ballroom

Opener: California Secretary of Agriculture

Keynote: What's next for organics? Panel Discussion with Western Growers Association CEO Dave Puglia and special guest panelists

Grower of the Year presentation by Fendt

Opener: Karen Ross; Moderator: Dave Puglia; Panelists: Thaddeus Barsotti, Victor Smith, Colby Pereira, Jennifer Lester Moffitt & Other Special Guest Panelists