(Monterey, CA) –A trio of acclaimed leaders from various aspects of the organic community have been confirmed as keynote presenters for the third annual Organic Grower Summit this coming December in Monterey, CA. Widely recognized for their innovative and resourceful leadership in creating new and exciting opportunities for those involved in the production of organic crops and products, the three will deliver engaging and informative TedTalk-style presentations to OGS attendees.
The presenters include Kat Taylor, co-Founder and CEO of Beneficial State Bank, and founding Director of TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation; Amy Ansel, co-founder of Titan Bioplastics; and David Perry, President and CEO of Indigo Ag.
As keynote presenters, the three will highlight two days ofan extensive OGS educational program designed to inform and engage organic growers, farmers and producers, and their service and supply chain partners. The third annual OGS is made possible by partners California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN) and is designed to provide information vital to organic farmers and ranchers, as well as an overview of the challenges and opportunities in the production of organic products.
“Thinking outside the box is a critical component of successful organic farming. We’re thrilled that innovative thinkers Kat Taylor, Amy Ansel and David Perry will be joining us at OGS as the event’s keynote speakers to inspire more of the creative problem solving that organic farming requires,” said Kelly Damewood, CEO of CCOF.
Taylor is recognized for her service of restoring social justice and environmental well-being to build a more equitable and inclusive world. She is active in a variety of social enterprises and philanthropic ventures on the West Coast focused on deep systems change. As a founding Director of TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation she is dedicated to inspiring a sustainable food system through ranching, training, tours, research, and school food and garden programs.
Ansel, a former Microsoft IT management leader sees hemp as a prolific plant and is committed to making hemp the keystone material playing a critical role in transforming the unsustainable. Sustainability faces many challenges and Ansel believes hemp can usher in superior composites.
Perry’s Indigo Ag received worldwide acclaim earlier this year when the four-year-old start-up was named the Number 1 company on the 2019 CNBC Disruptor 50 list. Using satellite imaging and geospatial intelligence, Indigo Ag has created a living map of the world’s food supply and by ditching chemicals, the company makes seed treatments from plant-friendly microbes to boost crop yields.
Perry is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and built three innovative companies in the last 20 years, leading the last two through successful IPOs and to multi-billion-dollar market capitalizations.
In addition to the Keynote presentations, a series of educational sessions during OGS will touch on areas including:
- What’s Next in Organic Plant Health?
- The Growing Hemp Marketplace
- Organic Cannabis on the Horizon
- Reducing Risk through Soil Health Practices
- Organic Farming in the Age of FSMA
- Organic Sales Data Dive
With 42 sponsors already committed and a nearly sold-out trade show floor, OGS will feature exhibitors showcasing the latest in soil amendment, food safety, ag technology, and equipment manufacturers who will be connecting with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors, and food safety experts.
For more information on the third annual Organic Grower Summit, visit www.organicgrowersummit.com
About CCOF
CCOF advances organic agriculture for a healthy world. We advocate on behalf of our members for organic policies, support the growth of organic through education and grants, and provide organic certification that is personal and accessible. CCOF is a nonprofit organization governed by the people who grow and make our food. Founded in California more than 40 years ago, today our roots span the breadth of North America and our presence is internationally recognized. We are supported by an organic family of farmers, ranchers, processors, retailers, consumers, and policymakers. Together, we work to realize a future where organic is the norm. For more information about CCOF, visit www.ccof.org.
About OPN
Founded by agricultural industry veterans Matt Seeley and Tonya Antle, The Organic Produce Network (OPN) was established as a vibrant on-line and live content programming organization connecting the entire organic fresh produce industry. Designed as the voice and go-to resource for all things related to organic produce, the company’s mission is to inform and educate through a strong digital presence with an emphasis on original content, and complimented by engaging live events which bring together various components of the organic food community. For more information about OPN, visit www.organicproducenetwork.com.
