AgroFresh Solutions Hosts 12th Annual Post-Harvest Academy; Rodrigo Cifuentes and Desmond O'Rourke Discuss
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Post-harvest innovation is being accelerated by the 2024 Post-Harvest Academy, hosted by AgroFresh Solutions and recently acquired Pace International, today, May 8, in Cle Elum, Washington. With a central focus on the apple industry, the event brings together leading voices from Washington State University and beyond to explore topics such as emerging diseases and internal disorders in apples, navigating organic regulations, and the role of ethylene management in apple quality.
“The acquisition of Pace International by AgroFresh in March provided an exciting opportunity to continue the tradition of the Post-Harvest Academy for a 12th consecutive year,” said Rodrigo Cifuentes, recently named Regional Commercial Director, North America, AgroFresh. “We eagerly anticipate the exceptional learning—and important engagement—that will occur at this year’s event.”
The invitation-only event features a variety of presenters from Washington State University, including Dr. Carolina Torres, Associate Professor, Endowed Chair in Postharvest Systems, and Achour Amiri, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology.
The event also hosts speakers such as:
- Desmond O’Rourke, President, Belrose
- Simone Seifert-Higgins, Regulatory Manager, AgroFresh
- Jim Spadafora, Director, Global Product Development, AgroFresh
O'Rourke is presenting “Coping with a Changing World,” an exploration that promises to provide valuable industry insights as he conducts his annual marketing analysis of deciduous fruits worldwide, a press release explained.
"To overcome future challenges and exploit opportunities, the Northwest fruit industry needs to develop a much more comprehensive database on its supply, orchard, packing, and marketing system to effectively address future challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities," says O'Rourke.
The event closes out with a future-focused panel discussion on empowering digital transformation in individual operations.
Valuable insights and opportunities for industry growth are sure to come out of this event, so stay tuned for more updates.
