Optimism High at Organic Grower Summit, But Challenges on Horizon

The second annual Organic Grower Summit, a joint production between the Organic Produce Network (OPN) and the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), brought together 900 members of the organic growing community including over 300 growers and farmers for two days of informational, educational and networking opportunities in Monterey, California last week.

A sold-out trade show floor featured 90 organic supply chain partners and service providers from across the globe, and Costco, one of the largest retailers of organic food sales in the United States, was back again, giving organic growers the opportunity to meet face to face with Costco buyers to talk about operations and opportunities. 

The overall consensus at the summit was a bullish outlook for organics in a global marketplace. Keynote speaker John Foraker, Once Upon a Farm co-founder and CEO, even predicted a 20 percent market share for organics in his lifetime. With organics currently at about 5 percent of all food sales, that kind of sustained growth would be impressive and unprecedented, but Foraker believes its possible, driven in large part by millennials.

John Foraker, co-founder and CEO of Once Upon a Farm 

“When my son was born, that was the first pivot point for my family into organics,” he explains. “Right now, just 25 percent  of millennials are parents. That number will go up and that means opportunity.”

While he sees enormous opportunities for organic products going forward, Foraker acknowledges big challenges, especially on the supply side. It is those challenges that bring many growers to OGS, looking for guidance and information on everything from soil health to financial advice to deep data dives into what works on the farm and beyond. 

On the first day of the two-day conference, OGS offered two intensive educational workshops. The first, “Scaling Up Healthy Soil Practices, “showcased to OGS attendees  current research on the benefits and usage of bio fertilizers on soil  as well as the issues and opportunities to enhance organic farm operations. The standing room only two-and-a-half hour long workshop also outlined how growers can take advantage of  California programs that are providing grants to farmers for water conservation, healthy soil practices, manure management that reduces methane emissions, and farmland conservation.

The second session focused on money and investing in organic farming.   “Sustainable Investing in Your Organic Farming Future", featured a panel of  financial experts offering up advice on finance options and alternatives available for organic farmers looking to grow their businesses, the session included  a special emphasis on multi-generational ownership and the unique challenges moving from one generation to the next.

The first ever CannaBus tour was a big hit, as it took OGS participants to an organic cannabis nursery and cannabis cultivation, extracting and manufacturing company in Monterey County. With recreational and medicinal marijuana use now legal in California, the legislature has mandated the creation of an organic cannabis certification program by 2021.

Cathy Calfo, CCOF CEO and executive director, believes  cannabis will be legal in all states sometime in the future and is advocating for state guidelines similar to federal rules on organic certification. Calfo said, “I believe the day is coming and the goal should be a seamless transition to a USDA organic certification seal.”

Six educational session on day two of OGS tackled some key issues facing organic growers  including managing production systems to promote plant health, new data on consumer trends, the budding organic beer and wine business, safeguarding the organic brand and innovative technology for all sized farms. The Grower Roundtable brought together three industry leaders for their take on industry trends and challenges. Estaban Macias, crop protection manager with Grupo U offered  a unique perspective from south of the border. Robin Graham, assistant general manager, Stemilt Ag Services and John France, founder, Homegrown Organic Farms added their opinions on a range  of topics. Asked what keeps him up at night, France had a one word answer – water. Parts of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act kick in in 2020, and with much of the state’s agriculture dependent on groundwater for irrigation, France believes it will have a profound impact on the industry across the state.

Organic farming is difficult and requires innovation and perseverance – two things this year’s recipient of the Organic Grower Summit’s Grower of the Year award has in abundance. Thaddeus Barsotti is a second- generation organic grower, and co-CEO of Capay Farms and Farm Fresh to You, a home delivery business bringing fresh fruits and vegetables right to customers’ doorsteps.

Receiving the award, sponsored by AGCO, Barsotti thanked his parents and honored all of his fellow growers in the audience. “Getting this award is very humbling,” he said, “but my take away is that any grower who makes it to farm another season is the grower of the year.” The audience erupted in applause, a collective acknowledgement  that  they are, in many ways, in this together.