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The Dec. 2–3 Monterey summit connects soil measurement, crop economics, labor and buyer expectations. Wednesday’s program also includes an off-site reception and live field demonstrations at Reservoir Farms.
All times are local to the venue · America/Los Angeles
One panel puts a farm’s crop choices in stark terms: three harvests of baby leaf versus a single, 130-day cauliflower crop. That comparison sits within a two-day program that follows organic production decisions from soil tests and labor planning to contracts and retail requirements, then moves from the Hyatt Regency Monterey to field demonstrations at Reservoir Farms.
The session “The Shrinking Organic Premium: What’s Eating Your Margin?” looks beyond the price premium to the expenses and choices that determine what growers actually earn. Moderator John McKeon’s panel will address land rents and shorter leases, fuel and input costs, labor, harvest, transport, storage and food safety. Its baby-leaf-versus-cauliflower example illustrates why crop mix, contract obligations and the timing of market changes can matter as much as a headline price.
The discussion is intended to take costs from field to delivery, including the gap between a grower’s cost per pound delivered and a processor’s price per unit shipped. Topics include negotiating contracts, deciding which crops make money and which help maintain a contract, and responding when markets shift into oversupply, shortages or open-market purchases. The agenda also points to the role that scale, consistent quality, year-round supply and retail relationships can play in pricing power.
A separate soil-testing panel asks whether conventional extraction results capture nutrient availability in biologically active soils. Moderator Chuck Schembre of EcoSoil Solutions joins Jenny Garley and Megan Kavanaugh of Bio S.I. Technology to discuss Total Nutrient Digestion, Plant Sap Analysis, Tissue Analysis and the Haney Test, including how growers might layer methods and interpret results alongside conventional benchmarks.
The “From Soil Health to Human Health” workshop, moderated by Laetitia Benador, CCOF Policy Manager, takes up the relationship between production practices and food nutrient density. It explores how soil biology and mineral uptake may affect crop nutrition; it is a discussion of practices and research, not a promise about the nutritional profile of a particular crop.
Further reading: 2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗
The program also treats labor as an operating decision shaped by technology and policy. In “Who Will Do the Work? Labor, Technology, and the Future of Organic Fresh Produce,” AgSocio founder Matt Rogers moderates a discussion with Ben Pallone of Western Growers Association and Ernie Farley of Good Farms. It considers how growers may meet marketplace demands for quality, consistency and volume while managing labor constraints, cost and an evolving policy environment.
Further reading: 2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗
Gwen Wyard of Strengthening Organic Systems leads a breakout on organic fraud and consumer confidence. Its focus is on verification and buyer relationships as well as enforcement: growers need ways to distinguish verified production and communicate their organic commitments when supply chains are complex. The session examines the risk that lost consumer confidence can weaken the premium for growers investing in organic integrity.
The hands-on workshop “Selling Your Story” gives that communication challenge a practical form. Moderator Todd Linsky is joined by Chris Ford of Viva Tierra Organic, Dennis Weaver of Organic Marketing Association and Jody Bearden of Shift Marketing. The session is designed to help participants shape details such as soil-health practices, traceability, multigenerational stewardship and community impact into a clear proposition for retailers and distributors, using case studies and messaging frameworks.
Further reading: 2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗
Wednesday’s keynote speaker is Thaddeus Barsotti of Capay Organic, a second-generation organic farmer and the 2018 Grower of the Year. The agenda says he built and sold Farm Fresh To You and now runs a medium-to-large-scale organic produce farm; he has also written about growing up on an organic farm and the organic farm movement.
The summit’s indoor and outdoor trade-show areas put suppliers’ products, equipment, materials and services alongside the education program. The Wednesday afternoon AGTech reception is a separate, off-site event at Reservoir Farms. It pairs networking with live demonstrations of organic-farming technology; the organizers say transportation, dinner and drinks are included. The timetable allows an hour to travel there and an hour to return to the hotel.
Further reading: 2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · Connecting Organic Farming Leaders | Organic Grower Summit 2026 ↗ · Frequently Asked Questions | Organic Grower Summit ↗
Thursday’s retailer panel is moderated by Matt Landi, vice president of industry relations at the Organic Trade Association. Jeremy Wilson, senior manager of produce and floral sourcing at Sam’s Club, is a named panelist. The discussion addresses quality, consistency, pricing, packaging and sustainability—the terms growers must weigh when aligning production with retail programs.
The same day brings a discussion with four Grower of the Year finalists and the award presentation. Eligible nominees must be full-time organic growers whose operations earn a profitable return, use organic production methods for a significant portion of their output, and participate in at least one USDA-accredited organic certification program. Nominations for the 2026 award were due Aug. 31, with finalists to be notified by Sept. 30; the published agenda does not name this year’s finalists.
The award page says each finalist receives two complimentary summit registrations. It also says nominees are offered complimentary hotel accommodations for the conference and up to $1,000 toward travel if needed. Finalists must attend the summit to remain eligible.
Further reading: 2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · Grower of the Year Award | Organic Grower Summit ↗
The agenda moves from early-morning activities and seminar windows to a supplier showcase, then takes attendees off-site Wednesday afternoon. Thursday’s sequence puts the finalist discussion and award before a retailer panel. The education descriptions span soil measurement, nutrient density, margins, labor, fraud and buyer-focused marketing; the published agenda does not assign each description to a specific seminar time.
The in-person summit is at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, 1 Old Golf Course Rd, Monterey, CA 93940. Wednesday’s AGTech reception and field demonstrations are at Reservoir Farms, not at the hotel.
Organic Grower Summit – NCAT ↗ · Venue & Accommodations at Organic Grower Summit 2026 | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · 2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗
The detailed agenda starts both days with a 6–7 a.m. wellness activity and 7–8 a.m. breakfast. Wednesday has an 8 a.m. welcome, an 8:15 keynote, and education-session windows at 9:15–10:15 and 10:30–11:30, with breaks between them. The indoor and outdoor trade show runs 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; lunch is listed from 11 a.m. to noon, so the second education window overlaps the trade show.
Wednesday’s agenda sets 2–3 p.m. aside for travel to Reservoir Farms, 3–6 p.m. for the reception and demonstrations, and 6–7 p.m. for the return to the Hyatt. Thursday’s trade show is 8–10 a.m., followed by an education window from 10–11 a.m. After an 11–11:15 break, lunch, the finalist panel and awards presentation run 11:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.; a 12:45–1 p.m. break precedes the 1–2 p.m. retailer panel.
The NCAT event listing displays a broad 8 a.m.–2 p.m. time range, but that does not cover the full daily agenda. The detailed agenda gives education-session times without assigning each seminar description to a particular slot, so check the current program if you are choosing among those sessions.
Organic Grower Summit – NCAT ↗ · 2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗
Grower passes are $499 for a nonmember two-day pass or $249 for a member two-day pass; one-day passes are $399 Wednesday and $249 Thursday. The member price requires a Western Growers Association or California Certified Organic Farmers code. Growers who participated in the Organic Produce Summit may also qualify for a $249 rate with an OPS partner code; the registration page directs them to Keigan Roos for the code.
Advisor and consultant passes cost $549 for two days, $499 Wednesday or $349 Thursday. Allied-trade passes are $699 for two days, $649 Wednesday or $499 Thursday. Government and student passes each cost $249 for two days, $229 Wednesday or $199 Thursday. The government category covers government, state, university and other governmentally regulated organizations serving the organic industry; students must be enrolled in a university or specialty agriculture program. Event staff may follow up to confirm government or student status.
The registration page describes the grower category as covering current producers and people interested in beginning organic production. Advisors and consultants include pest-control advisors, certified crop advisors, private applicators and qualified applicators serving organic growers. Allied trade includes suppliers of inputs, equipment, shipping, packaging, distribution, seed and software or traceability services.
Full passes cover summit activities, education sessions, receptions, presentations, meals, breaks and the trade show. The FAQ lists an Opening Reception among full-pass inclusions, though the detailed agenda does not give it a separate time. A one-day pass covers that day’s activities only; Wednesday is the relevant one-day option for the Reservoir Farms event. The FAQ says major credit and debit cards are accepted for on-site pass purchases.
Secure Your Spot Today Register for Organic Grower Summit 2026 | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · Frequently Asked Questions | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · 2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗
Press seeking approval for a promotional pass should request it through the OGS Marketing Team. Media attending without promoting the event can register through the main portal by selecting Media as the industry affiliation; the FAQ says both routes provide full-event pass amenities. Personnel for a booked exhibitor booth register through the event specialist, and each booked booth includes three full-event passes. Sponsorships include a select number of full passes for company personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · Secure Your Spot Today Register for Organic Grower Summit 2026 | Organic Grower Summit ↗
The summit venue page lists special room rates for Dec. 2–3, 2026, and links to the hotel booking information. Check the current terms there when arranging a stay.
Venue & Accommodations at Organic Grower Summit 2026 | Organic Grower Summit ↗
The summit venue is the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, 1 Old Golf Course Rd, Monterey, CA 93940. The event site links a map for the hotel; use its directions feature to calculate a route from your starting point. The event information does not provide a transit itinerary or designate a particular entrance.
Venue & Accommodations at Organic Grower Summit 2026 | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · Connecting Organic Farming Leaders | Organic Grower Summit 2026 ↗
The FAQ lists self-parking at $20 and valet parking at $20. It says RVs and vans are welcome; contact the hotel front desk before arrival for instructions about designated spaces.
Wednesday’s 3–6 p.m. reception and demonstrations are at Reservoir Farms. The agenda allows 2–3 p.m. for travel there and 6–7 p.m. to return to the Hyatt, and the organizers state that transportation is included.
For service-animal and mobility-scooter policies, accessibility in the grounds, rooms and convention areas, or accessible-parking details, the FAQ directs attendees to contact the Hyatt. It does not specify those facilities or policies.
2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · Frequently Asked Questions | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · Connecting Organic Farming Leaders | Organic Grower Summit 2026 ↗
Yes. Wednesday-only and Thursday-only passes are listed for each attendee category. A one-day pass covers that date’s activities only; choose Wednesday for the Reservoir Farms reception and field demonstrations.
Secure Your Spot Today Register for Organic Grower Summit 2026 | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · Frequently Asked Questions | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · 2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗
No. It is a Wednesday off-site event from 3–6 p.m. The agenda allows one hour to travel there and one hour to return to the Hyatt; the organizers say transportation, dinner and drinks are included.
2026 Event Agenda & Seminars | Organic Grower Summit ↗ · Connecting Organic Farming Leaders | Organic Grower Summit 2026 ↗
The listed rates range from $199 for a Thursday student or government pass to $699 for a two-day allied-trade pass. Grower member pricing and the OPS participant rate have separate code requirements.
Secure Your Spot Today Register for Organic Grower Summit 2026 | Organic Grower Summit ↗
No. It lists education-session windows but does not match the individual seminar descriptions to those times. The Wednesday second seminar window also overlaps the start of the trade show.
The FAQ lists both self-parking and valet parking at $20. RV and van arrivals are directed to contact the hotel front desk about designated spaces.
1 Old Golf Course Rd, Monterey, CA 93940
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-02 against the linked sources.