Leadership from three organic growing operations have been confirmed as panelists for the keynote presentation at the upcoming Organic Grower Summit presented by Western Growers and OPN for Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Monterey, California.
“Grower Roundtable: The State of Organic Growing” will be moderated by Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers, and panelists will include Brie Reiter Smith, VP of product leadership for Driscoll’s; Michael DuPuis, quality assurance and public relations coordinator for Divine Flavor; and Tom Nunes V, president of The Nunes Company.
Featuring candid commentary, the keynote presentation will explore how these three leaders are dealing with hot-button topics including supply chain issues, inflation, labor, new innovations and technologies.
“While consumption of organic fresh produce continues to climb, domestic growers face an unprecedented array of regulatory and marketplace challenges that threaten future growth,” Puglia said. “The leaders on this panel will share valuable insight into the state of the organic industry and strategies for turning obstacles into opportunities.”
The summit is designed to provide information vital to organic growers and producers, including an overview of the opportunities and challenges in the production of organic fresh food. The presentation is part of an extensive educational program designed to inform and engage organic producers, their service providers and supply chain partners.
Other educational sessions include:
- The Future of Ag Tech – Expanding On-Farm Profitability;
- Regenerative Organic Marketing and Certification – What Lies Ahead?;
- The Growth, Opportunities and Future of CEA Production;
- Get Ahead of the Curve and Avoid Regulatory Speedbumps;
- Exploring Organic Research: A Discussion of Organic Grower Challenges and Solutions; and
- Less Chemistry and More Biology.
The summit will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California, and general registration is open. The trade show floor will feature soil amendment, ag tech, food safety, packaging and equipment exhibitors who will have the opportunity to connect with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors and food safety experts.
“In partnership with Western Growers, this year’s OGS will provide up-to-date resources and information to support the continued success of organic producers, with an emphasis on the role of ag technology,” Seeley said. “From seed to soil to harvest, our goal is to present the most relevant information on the most important subjects and issues facing organic production.”
OPN is a marketing organization serving as the go-to resource for the fresh produce industry. The company’s mission is to inform and educate through a digital presence with an emphasis on original content and complemented by engaging live events. OPN’s audience includes organic producers, handlers, distributors, processors, wholesalers, foodservice operators and retailers.
Further details on the educational program, including session topics and speakers, will be released in the coming weeks.
For more information, visit organicgrowersummit.com.
