MONTEREY, CA - I love a mid-week treat, and details on the latest events to help our industry progress fall into that category. It’s time we find out the first of three keynote presentations for the 2018 Organic Grower Summit, which will dive into an international overview of opportunities, challenges, and issues facing the organic growing community and its fresh fruit and vegetable marketplace. Known as the Grower Roundtable, the first presentation will include three organic growers from North America to offer attendees insight into a variety of topics—including labor, regulations, and supply chain issues.

Featured panelists of the Grower Roundtable include:

• Esteban Macias, Crop Protection Manager/Independent Grower, Grupo U
• Robin Graham, Assistant General Manager, Stemilt Ag Services
• John France, Founder, Homegrown Organic Farms
• Moderated by: Scott LaRue, Managing Director, Global Head of Investment Banking and Capital Markets, Piper Jaffrey

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“Growing organics requires a full view from beneath the soil all the way to the consumer who buys and eats your product. Information to does that properly is still limited compared to growing conventionally. As it was in the late 80’s when I started, so it is now; knowledge from those that have gone before will always be the foundation of a good organic program,” said France. “Gathering that knowledge usually comes from the source which is the growers themselves, and that is why the Organic Grower Summit is one great source of that needed information.

To this, Graham added his own excitement at the opportunity to share his point of view.

“It’s an honor to be part of the Grower Roundtable and exciting to share my thoughts about the many challenges and opportunities that surround organic farming today,” he said.

Organic growers, producers, and processors will gather together at the second annual event—a collaboration between the California Certified Organic Farms (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN)—for two days of education, information, and networking opportunities with production supply chain and service providers in organics. Further, even more educational components of OGS are available to provide inspiring and engaging sessions with leading industry experts tapped into the production side of organic fresh produce. At these educational opportunities, attendees will learn about an array of subjects—from organic integrity to soil optimization.

Among the scheduled educational sessions are:

• Scaling Up Healthy Soil Practices
• Sustainable Investing in Your Organic Farming Future
• Technology is Not Just for Big Ag
• Candid Conversation with NOSB Board Members
• Managing Organic Production Systems to Promote Plant Health
• Giving Organic Beverages a Shot
• Safeguarding the Organic Brand

The entire event will run from December 12-13 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California. Those wanting to gather insight from the educational opportunities and gain access to the networking opportunities the event offers can register for $499—discounts are available for CCOF members and government and educational members. Registration includes admittance to the opening reception, educational sessions, keynote presentations, breakfast, lunch, and the trade show floor. Even more, attendees can get their hands on a ticket for the 2018 CannaBus Tour—which takes place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12^th—and the CCOF Foundation Dinner on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

Costco buyers will also be meeting with participating grower attendees looking to utilize the special “Meet the Grower” opportunity the event uniquely offers. In this session, certified organic farms and grower representatives will meet with Costco’s organic produce, dairy, meat, and wine buyers to discuss their operations and products.

The trade show floor is almost sold out—only a few spots remain available, as of today. Booths that will be attending so far include soil amendment, bio-pesticide, seed, packaging, food safety, ag technology, and equipment manufacturers—all ready and eager to network throughout the show with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors, and food safety experts.

So, what’s your booth number? Give me your digits, baby!

Organic Grower Summit Organic Produce Network California Certified Organic Farmers