MONTEREY, CA - Only 37 days to go! While many may be counting down to the New Year, the produce industry is gearing up for a chance to meld minds and advance the industry. Western Growers and the Organic Produce Network have revealed two of the educational sessions set to take place at the 2021 Organic Grower Summit (OGS). The two new sessions will explore how technology is enhancing organic crop production and provide a deep dive into the growth of organic fresh produce sales across the nation over the past two years.

The first session, titled SmartFarm: AgTech in the Field, will elaborate on how new technologies such as robotics and data management are boosting efficiency for organic growers, and explore their impact on production, costs, and the environment.

The session will be moderated by Bart Walker, President of Pacific Ag Rentals. Other panelists include Josh Roberts, President and General Manager of Triangle Farms; Gabe Sibley, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Verdant Robotics; and Sebastien Boyer, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FarmWise.

“Technological advances and data management continue to evolve for organic growers, providing a wide array of new tools designed for greater efficiency in the production of crops,” Walker noted. “This session will highlight some of the newest technologies, equipment, and programs available for growers and how they can best be utilized in the ever-changing landscape of organic fresh produce production.”

The other recently announced session, Organics at Retail–Performance and Consumer Expectations, will examine organic fresh produce sales at retail over the past two years and provide insight on organic performance in comparison to conventional fruits and vegetables.

Category Partners Chief Executive Officer Tom Barnes and Ben Hartman Good Eggs Senior Category Manager of Perishables, will offer an analysis of sales and discuss how e-commerce is altering consumer buying behaviors.

“Since the pandemic started nearly two years ago, sales of organic fresh produce have flourished as consumers look for healthy, nutritious products to feed their families,” said Barnes. “While that growth has slowed slightly, the prospect for organic sales continues to be bright. The session will explore the growth of organic produce over the past two years, and what the future may look like for consumers.”

These newly announced sessions are part of an extensive educational program designed to inform and engage organic producers, their service providers, and supply chain partners, as noted in a press release.

The event will take place at the Monterey Hyatt Conference Center in Monterey, California, December 1-2. Exhibition and general registration are currently open, with only a few booths available before the show floor sells out.

More information about the highly anticipated 2021 OGS awaits, so keep clicking on AndNowUKnow, as we promise to give you all the deets.

Organic Grower Summit