As pest control and crop management continue to be front and center in organic farming, biologicals have become an increasingly important tool in the growing of specialty crops. The various biologicals that companies have available, how growers choose them, and their impact on the cost of doing business will be explored in an educational session announced as part of the upcoming Organic Grower Summit (OGS) 2022 presented by Western Growers and OPN, slated for November 30–December 1 in Monterey, CA.

“Less Chemistry and More Biology” will feature leaders from three companies actively involved in crop science and solutions sharing their insight on the biological tools available for organic specialty crop production, their impact on the organic fresh produce industry, and what the increased availability of these biologicals will mean for future production.

Moderated by Dennis Donohue, director of the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, the panelists for the session will include Pam Marrone, advisor for Biocerces Crop Solutions; Don Cameron, vice president/general manager for Terranova Ranch; and Denise Manker, outreach and engagement, biologics for Bayer CropScience.

“Technological advances and development of more biological tools continue to evolve for organic growers, designed for greater efficiency in the production of crops. This exclusive ed session will highlight some of the newest biological tools and programs available for growers and how they can best be utilized in the ever-changing landscape of organic fresh produce production,” said Matt Seeley, co-founder and CEO of the Organic Produce Network. “These industry leaders look forward to sharing the latest tools available and how they impact both business and environment."

The fifth annual OGS 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 newly announced session is part of an extensive educational program designed to inform and engage organic producers, their service providers, and supply chain partners. 

Other educational sessions slated for OGS 2022 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
• Data Dive into Organic Produce Sales

“Technological advances and development of more biological tools continue to evolve for organic growers, designed for greater efficiency in the production of crops. This exclusive ed session will highlight some of the newest biological tools and programs available for growers and how they can best be utilized in the ever-changing landscape of organic fresh produce production.” - Matt Seeley

OGS 2022 will be held November 30–December 1 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, CA, and general registration is currently open. The sold-out OGS 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.

Further details on the educational program, including session topics and speakers, will be released in the coming weeks. For more information on the fifth annual OGS, please visit www.organicgrowersummit.com.