Organic Grower Summit Announces Grower of the Year Award Recipient

California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and the Organic Produce Network (OPN) will honor long-time organic growers Lundberg Family Farms as the recipient of the third annual Organic Grower Summit’s Grower of the Year. Lundberg Family Farms was selected based on the company’s ongoing commitment and dedication to excellence in organic production and organic industry leadership and innovation.

The Grower of the Year award, sponsored by AGCO, will be presented to Grant Lundberg, who will accept the award on behalf of the entire Lundberg family, at the Organic Grower Summit, December 4-5 in Monterey, CA. The Organic Grower Summit, a joint production between California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN), brings together organic growers, producers and processors for two days of education, information and networking opportunities with organic production supply chain and service providers. 

“We are honored to present the annual Grower of the Year award to the Lundberg family. Their decades long work exemplifies what hardworking, passionate organic farming is all about,” said Greg Milstead, director of sales, Western Region for AGCO.

Producing premium quality organic rice and rice products since 1937, the Lundberg family has been growing rice while respecting and sustaining the earth. Today, the third and fourth generations carry on the family heritage by using eco-positive farming methods that produce wholesome and organic rice-based products, while improving and protecting the environment for generations to come.   

“Not only has the Lundberg Family’s decades of work to encourage water conservation, rotate crops, grow cover crops, and use natural methods for pest control made them leaders in organic rice production and wildlife-friendly farming, but they have always found ways to share information about those practices with other organic farmers. This dedication to the environment and community is what makes the organic sector special, so the Lundberg Family could not be more deserving of the title of Grower of the Year,” said Kelly Damewood, CEO of CCOF.

“We are honored to receive the Grower of the Year award from CCOF. We are excited to be recognized for our commitment and dedication to organic farming, industry leadership and innovation. Our grandparents and parents instilled in us a deep respect for the land and environment. This led to family farming traditions in straw management, water and wildlife conservation and the use of cover crops. It has also built environmental practices in our manufacturing operations with the use of solar power, chemical free pest management and the attainment of US Zero Waste Council certification,” said Grant Lundberg, CEO of Lundberg Family Farms.

Previous winners of the award have been Thaddeus Barsotti, of Capay Organic (2017); and Vernon Peterson, of Peterson Family Farms (2016).

Attendee registration for OGS is $499, with discounts available for CCOF members. Registration to OGS is all-inclusive, and includes admittance to the opening reception, educational sessions, keynote presentations, breakfast, and lunch and trade show floor. Attendees can also receive CEU for their attendance in a series of educational sessions on December 4-5.

Over 50 sponsors have confirmed their support of OGS and the tradeshow floor is sold out.  Exhibitors include soil amendment, bio-pesticide, seed, packaging, 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 further information about OGS 2019, please visit www.organicgrowersummit.com.