MONTEREY, CA - The Organic Grower Summit, presented by Farm Progress, has officially opened nominations for the eighth annual Grower of the Year award. New for 2025, the selection process will feature four finalists who will be invited to attend the summit, where the winner will be revealed during the event.

The prestigious Grower of the Year award recognizes exceptional leadership and commitment to organic farming and innovation in the organic industry. Four finalists will be recognized, and the winner will be announced during the Organic Grower Summit, scheduled for Dec. 3-4, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California.

"We're excited to enhance this year's award program by recognizing four outstanding finalists who represent excellence in organic agriculture," said Matt Jungmann, national events director for Farm Progress. "This new format allows us to showcase more of the incredible work being done by organic growers across the country while building anticipation for the final announcement at the Summit."

Nominations can be submitted online via the Organic Grower Summit website. The committee will evaluate candidates based on their commitment to organic farming practices, industry leadership, and innovation in organic agriculture. A full overview of the award criteria is available on the website.

The Grower of the Year award has previously honored distinguished leaders in organic agriculture, including Dick Peixoto of Lakeside Organic Gardens (2024), Rod Braga of Braga Fresh (2023) and Jeff Huckaby of Grimmway Farms (2022). The award presentation will be a highlight of the summit's comprehensive educational program, which includes seminars on ag tech, soil health, pest management, and other critical topics for organic producers.

Nominations for outstanding organic growers are now being accepted through the official online submission form. All nominations must be submitted by Aug. 31, 2025.

Registration for the 2025 Organic Grower Summit will become available in July 2025. Interested parties may sign up for email notifications to receive registration information.