Jul 23, 2019

Grower summit educates on organic farming in the FSMA era

The Organic Grower Summit (OGS) in December will include an educational session diving into the changing landscape of food safety on organic farms, and compliance with the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) produce safety rule.

OGS 2019 will be held Dec. 4-5 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California. The first of six educational sessions will explore how FDA produce inspections will be rolled out and the changes affecting the leafy greens industry.

“Organic Farming Systems in the Era of FSMA” will be moderated by Jacob Guth, director of food safety for CCOF. Panelists for the session include Donna Lynn Browne, director of food safety and responsibility, Naturipe Farms; Greg Komar, technical director of Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement; and Steve Patton, branch chief, CDFA, Inspection and Compliance.

“Organic production and food safety requirements can sometimes conflict, but often they work hand in hand. Producing safe food has always been the priority for organic growers,” Guth said in a press release from OGS.

Other educational sessions offered at the summit will include a range of topics designed to inform and engage organic growers, farmers and producers, and their service and supply chain partners, according to the press release. Farm soil management, the impact of technological advances in organic agriculture, the latest on labor and immigration and a look at the burgeoning hemp industry are among the topics that will be addressed by organic industry leaders at OGS.

The third annual OGS is made possible by partners California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN) and 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 fresh food. OGS is the only event specifically designed to bring organic fresh food producers and their service and supply chain partners together for information, education and networking opportunities, according to the press release.

“This year’s summit will provide up-to-date resources and information to support the continued success of organic producers,” said Tonya Antle, co-founder of the Organic Produce Network. “From seed to soil to harvest, our goal is to present the most relevant information on the most important subjects and issues facing organic production.”

Exhibitor registration at OGS is currently open with less than 30 booths remaining available. General registration to attend the event is slated to open August 1, with more details of the educational program, including session topics and speakers, to be released in the coming weeks.

For more information on the third annual Organic Grower Summit, visit www.organicgrowersummit.com.

Above, some speakers for December’s Organic Grower Summit include, from the left, Jacob Guth, Steve Patton, Donna Lynn and Greg Komar. Photos: Organic Grower Summit