About Event

The Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference is a three-day conference held in conjunction with the Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford. 

The conference features informative sessions on production practices, pest management, water management, climate adaptation and market insights, with a focus on the blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, potatoes, field vegetables, greenhouse vegetables, floriculture, ornamentals, hazelnuts and organics sectors in the Lower Mainland.  

Please note the below agenda is subject to change. Full program details below.

about section image

The Lower Mainland Horticultural Conference is delivered by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food in partnership with the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association and the Pacific Agriculture Show.

Funding for the conference is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Event Program

time icon 08:00 to 16:00

time icon 09:15 to 09:30

 Green Room

time icon 09:30 to 10:15

Dr. Chris Bodnar

Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley, and Co-owner and Farmer, Close to Home Organics

Chris Bodnar is an Assistant Professor in the University of Fraser Valley's Agriculture Program, specializing in Agribusiness. His research areas include co-operative business models, and production economics for climate-resilient crops. Chris has 18 years experience as a vegetable farmer in Abbotsford BC. He is a Limited License Agrologist; his agrology consulting work focused on supporting farms in business planning through developing business strategy and production economics. He is an Appeal Board Member with Agriculture Canada’s Farm Debt Mediation Service. Previously, Chris taught the Business and Agriculture course in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Sustainable Agriculture Program. He also worked with Young Agrarians to develop their Business Mentorship Network and a series of financial literacy modules for their new entrant support programs.

 Green Room

Water is a controversial topic in B.C. Severe and multi-year drought in recent years has highlighted the realities of the province's relatively new regulatory system for water use, and has forced growers to adapt faster than many anticipated. This presentation will discuss how the agricultural sector can be a leader in water management through community engagement across the province.

time icon 10:15 to 10:30

time icon 10:30 to 11:30

Richard Stup

Senior Extension Association, Cornell University

Dr. Richard Stup leads the Agricultural Workforce Development program at Cornell University. He teaches leadership and management, and conducts research into labor challenges facing the industry. His focus is on helping agricultural employers avoid labor risks, create engaged employee teams, and operate profitably. Cornell Ag Workforce Development focuses on helping employers with regulatory compliance, developing managers and supervisors, employee housing management, and developing the future farm workforce. Before joining Cornell, Rich practiced as an organization development consultant, served as a senior leader in Farm Credit, was an extension specialist with Penn State, and worked in the feed industry. He earned his doctorate from Penn State in the field of Workforce Education and Development, including research into human resource management and employee organizational commitment. Little Known Fact… Rich once did a TED-style talk at a national Farm Credit conference called: “Stoking a Passion for Agriculture in Employees Who Weren’t Farm Raised.” It included a short singing riff set to the tune of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.”

 Orange Room

The key to managing team performance is the Performance Triad: setting clear performance expectations, providing needed training and skill development, and providing motivational performance feedback. This presentation will share key leadership concepts and practical tools for applying them.

time icon 10:30 to 11:00

Dr. Mark Johnson

Professor, and Canada Research Chair in Ecohydrology, University of British Columbia

Dr. Mark Johnson is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Ecohydrology at the University of British Columbia, where he leads cutting-edge research on agricultural water management. With a focus on soil-water dynamics and evapotranspiration, his work bridges science and practice, providing actionable insights for optimizing water use in agricultural environments. Dr. Johnson is also a founder and Chief Science Officer of Ensemble Scientific Inc., a company pioneering smart, autonomous irrigation systems. By integrating real-time sensors, advanced forecasting, and user-friendly tools, his innovations are helping growers make efficient and informed irrigation decisions, conserving water while boosting productivity.

 Green Room

Effective agricultural water management ensures that soil moisture aligns with crop demand. How do soil characteristics, crop stages, and weather dynamics impact soil moisture availability for planning healthy, high-quality harvests?

time icon 10:30 to 10:50

Heather Meberg

President and Director, Grower Services, E.S. Cropconsult.

Heather Meberg started working at ES Cropconsult in 1998. Her specialty area includes IPM for organic and conventional vegetable production. She has conducted field research examining chemical and non-chemical pest control. In 2006, Heather assumed the role of President and Director of Grower Services, overseeing all aspects of the monitoring programs offered by ES Cropconsult. Heather has worked with the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust, and is a recognized Planning Advisor with the BC Environmental Farm Plan.

 Blue Room

There is a bewildering variety of fresh market potato varieties available and under development. Annual variety trialing enables us to observe effects of growing conditions such as changing heat trends in the summer.

time icon 10:50 to 11:25

Marjolaine Dessureault

Professional Agrologist, Research Director, ES Cropconsult Ltd.

Marjolaine Dessureault is a Professional Agrologist located in Pemberton, British Columbia. Her work focuses on delivering Integrated Pest Management (IPM), research, and environmental assessment services to farmers. She is the Research Director at E.S. Cropconsult Ltd., and through this work, helps clients design research that will be meaningful to them and to the agricultural industry.

Andrew Nadler

Agricultural Meteorologist, Peak HydroMet Solutions

<p>Andrew Nadler is a Professional Agrologist and Agricultural Meteorologist with extensive expertise in matters related to weather, climate, and water. He has built and operated several climate monitoring networks across Western Canada, including BC’s new AgriWeather program. As the principal of Peak HydroMet Solutions Inc., Andy’s work focuses on leveraging monitoring technology to optimize operational efficiency and to mitigate risks associated with climate variability. Andy holds a master’s degree in Soil Science, specializing in Agrometeorology, from the University of Manitoba, and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Winnipeg. He resides in Campbell River.</p>

 Blue Room

Hear about real-time tissue analysis and soil moisture sensors that help producers meet the growing needs of the crop during the growing season. What have we learned so far about how this can work for the industry?

time icon 11:00 to 11:30

German Barahona

CID Irrigation Designer/Sales and Ag-Tech Integrator, Southern Irrigation

German is a Chilean native who earned his bachelor’s in agricultural engineering from University of Concepcion and received his irrigation designer certification from IIABC. His experience in the B.C. irrigation and water products industry stemmed from been actively involved with the AG market since 2008, where he learned about its needs and different challenges and has been an active participant of the irrigation development and AG technology adoption in B.C. this past 20 years. Currently, he is employed with Southern Irrigation at the Oliver branch and works closely with growers from Vancouver Island to the Kootenay area.

 Green Room

Dive into soil moisture, crop needs, and strategies for agricultural water management. Southern Irrigation will share practical insights into systems and sensors,strategic installation, how to interpret data to support precise irrigation decision-making, and more!

time icon 11:25 to 12:10

Gary Secor

Professor of Plant Pathology, Potato Specialist, North Dakota State University

Gary Secor is a Professor of Plant Pathology at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota in the USA. Secor is a native of Bozeman, MT and has a BS and MS degree from Montana State University, and a PhD from the University of California at Davis. He began his potato career in Montana as director of the of the first potato virus testing lab in the US, and has worked with numerous other potato diseases during his 46 year career at NDSU, concentrating on disease discovery, diagnosis, management and grower education. He works closely with the potato breeding program at NDSU and has been interim potato breeder. Secor also works with sugar beet diseases, including fungicide resistance and management of Cercospora leaf spot and Fusarium wilt. He teaches classes, has graduate students, enjoys lake time and international travel and work, and is the recipient of numerous honors.

 Blue Room

Blemish diseases such as scab, silver scurf and black dot have been issues in table potatoes for some time. Some are newer than others, but all require understanding of the biology and management. Hear more about management tools and advice helpful to growers from a teacher, researcher, and extension agent for the potato sector.

time icon 11:30 to 12:00

Heather Watson

Executive Director, Farm Management Canada

Heather Watson leads the team as Executive Director of Farm Management Canada, a national non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the awareness, appreciation and adoption of farm business management practices to help position Canada’s farmers for sustainable growth and prosperity. For well over a decade, Heather has also served as the Canadian representative to the International Farm Management Association and in 2022 was recognized as one of Canada’s Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. Heather obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Guelph and went on to obtain her Master’s degree from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. Heatherresides in Ottawa.

 Orange Room

Learn how to assess risk, plan proactively to minimize negative impacts, and seize opportunities for change. Hear about practical tools like the AgriShield Risk Assessment and Planning Platform.

time icon 11:30 to 12:00

Bruce Naka

Irrigation Consultant, Sound Water Advise

Bruce has been involved in irrigation design & implementation for over 30 years. His experience covers all facets of irrigation systems from sports fields & golf courses to large scale agricultural systems. Bruce is certified by the Irrigation Industry Association of BC (IABC) in Commercial Turf Sprinkler, Agriculture Sprinkler & Drip Irrigation, he is also a certified Irrigation Scheduler. Naka has been involved in assistance in helping well owners in their application for ground water licensing as is now required under the Water Sustainability Act. In addition to his work experiences Bruce has & is involved in multiple associated organizations. Bruce was on the North Okanagan Drought Response Committee, which after wild Fires of 2003 was established to develop a plan of attack to potential drought situations in the North Okanagan. Following this commitment Bruce continued on to become a member of the North Okanagan Agricultural Advisory Board. In 2016 Bruce became a member of the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council (OWSC) representing the IABC, where he became co-chairman of a sub-committee on Irrigation Management. Simultaneous to his commitments to the OWSC, Bruce served as president of the IIABC for the 2017-18 term. In 2015 Bruce established an irrigation Consulting company focused on efficiency in irrigation design & system planning.

 Green Room

The discussion will review fundamentals which comprise determining a crop’s irrigation requirements, then utilize this information to develop a custom irrigation system schedule. The presentation will include the use of tools available, such as the Agricultural Irrigation Scheduling Calculator.

time icon 12:00 to 13:30

 MNP Pavillion

time icon 13:30 to 14:15

Wendy Hoashi-Erhardt

Director of Small Fruit Plant Breeding, Washington State University

Wendy Hoashi-Erhardt directs the Small Fruit Plant Breeding program and cultivar development for red raspberry in the Pacific Northwest, with emphasis on processing traits of machine harvestability, fruit quality, and disease resistance. She also researches other traits of interest in strawberry and raspberry genotypes. In the last 20 years, she has collaborated in the release of several cultivars of raspberry and strawberry and contributed to studies of day-neutral strawberries for fresh market use, and root rot and nematode resistance in raspberry.

 Green Room

Hear an update on the performance of advanced selections and new cultivars from raspberry and strawberry breeding programs in B.C. and Washington.

time icon 13:30 to 14:15

Mark Ledebuhr

Principal Consultant, Application Insight, LLC

Mark Ledebuhr is an innovator, entrepreneur, and co-author of Airblast 101: Your Guide to Effective and Efficient Spraying. With over 25 years of experience in spray application, he has led high-impact projects across the globe, from innovative orchard and vineyard sprayer technologies such as Proptec™ sprayers, to developing the leading technology for evaluating drone spray swaths. As Principal Consultant at Application Insight LLC, Mark partners with universities, R&D teams, and growers to tackle real-world spray application challenges— blending science, creativity, and real-world experience. Mark is driven by his passion for sustainable, efficient, and pragmatic solutions in agriculture. He believes strongly that empowered, informed people do great things— especially when it comes to spray application! He strives to inform and empower people to be better stewards, not only of their crops and the chemicals they use to grow them, but also the land, air, and water we all share.

 Blue Room

A fresh perspective on spray application in vegetables focused on improving minimum coverage and field capacity by mastery of first principles and focus on actionable strategies. Advanced technologies and strategies will also be introduced and discussed.

time icon 14:15 to 14:45

James Bergen

Manager, Bergen Farms

James Bergen is a 3rd generation berry farmer. James manages Bergen Farms, a family run farm that specializes in growing and harvesting berries destined for the fresh market. James also manages Triple Crown Packers; an IQF berry processing facility with sales through both retail and wholesale channels. James is the chair of the BC Raspberry Industry Development Council. When not at the farm you can find James most nights at an ice rink coaching both his son’s hockey teams.

 Green Room

Transitioning from field production to soilless production of raspberries involves a steep learning curve. What are the challenges and opportunities with substrate production?

time icon 14:15 to 14:45

Renee Prasad

Associate Professor and Department Head, University of the Fraser Valley

<p>Renee Prasad is an Associate Prof at UFV in the Agriculture Dept. She teaches courses in pest management and agroecology. Her research interests are also in the areas of pest management and agroecology with a focus on field vegetables and cranberries.</p>

 Blue Room

Trials of important emergency registrations (Cimegra and Success) and Verimark for control of CRM on brassica crops (transplants and direct- seeded) have shown interesting, and hopefully promising, results. Hear where this multi-year research is moving for 2025.

time icon 14:45 to 15:00

time icon 15:00 to 15:45

 Orange Room

A deep dive into the fundamentals of good spraying and spray coverage in ways that will make you re-think how you conduct your spray program. Optimization strategiesfor current technology, novel technologies, and practical strategies anyone can do to increase coverage.

time icon 15:00 to 15:45

Oleg Daugovish

Strawberry and Vegetable Crop Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension - Ventura

Dr. Oleg Daugovish has been a University of California Farm Advisor since 2001. His research and extension program focuses on pest management and environmental quality of production of strawberry and vegetable crops in Ventura County. Over the years he has worked on most areas of crop production and with many serious pest management challenges. Dr. Daugovish graduate and undergraduate training is in crop production, plant science, agronomy and weed science. His initial agricultural education and work was in Latvia and continued in Sweden, Minnesota , Florida, Nebraska , Idaho and finally in California where he currently resides, works, and plays.

 Green Room

Integration of methods to improve cost-effectiveness of pathogen and weed management. This includes mapping and variable rate in-field fumigation, anaerobicsoil disinfestation, cultivar resistance, timing of planting, planting hole steaming, and weed control methods.

time icon 15:00 to 15:35

Ben Yurkiw

Seed Representative, Norseco Seeds, Yarrow, B.C.

John Hart

Territory Manager, Stokes Seeds, Vancouver B.C.

John Hart assumed the role of Territory Manager for British Columbia for Stokes Seeds in August of 2024. He has been involved in vegetable seed commerce, research, and variety development in and out of British Columbia since 2004. He is passionate about vegetable varieties and is deeply honoured to serve the food producing farmers of British Columbia.

Rebecca Morse

Product Manager, West Coast Seed Company, Delta B.C.

Rebecca Morse has been cultivating her passion for agriculture since 1999, when she launched and operated a small organic vegetable farm for 15 years. A seasonal job with a seed company in 2010 evolved into a career as she discovered her passion for product development, managing vegetable and flower variety trials and visiting regional trials across North America. Today, as Product Manager at West Coast Seed Company, Rebecca brings over two decades of experience to the table, identifying exceptional new cultivars and high performing standards. Her work reflects her commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture and empowering growers with tools for success.

 Blue Room

Find out what’s available in the world of vegetable varieties from our seed representatives.

time icon 15:35 to 16:10

Dr. Rishi Burlakoti

Research Scientist, AAFC – Agassiz

Rishi Burlakoti is a Research Scientist- Plant Pathology at Agassiz Research and Development Center, AAFC. His research programs focus on pathogen characterization, disease epidemiology and sustainable management of major diseases of berry crops, field and greenhouse vegetables crops of British Columbia. He has research interests in integrated disease management, plant disease epidemiology, host-pathogen interaction, and pathogen genetics and genomics. Rishi is also an Adjunct Professor in Faculty of Land and Food System, University of British Columbia (UBC) and in Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph. He is serving in editorial boards of ‘Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology’, ‘Plants’, and 'PeerJ'.

 Blue Room

The pathogen causing late blight in potatoes is an aggressive strain that continues to require stringent management in B.C. Hear an overview

of global/Canadian outbreaks of late blight, pathogen survey work and what has been recently detected in B.C. and eastern provinces compared to historical findings. This work informs our understanding of fungicide resistance problems and management advice for late blight.

time icon 15:45 to 16:10

Ben Klootwyk

Account Manager, Pacific Coast Fruit Products

Ben Klootwyk is an Account Manager with Pacific Coast Fruit Products, a fruit processing company located in Abbotsford, BC.

 Green Room

What are the market prospects for B.C. raspberries in 2025?

time icon 15:45 to 16:15

  Orange Room

Sprayers were never designed for modern organic materials, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be sprayed effectively. This session will include strategies for spraying pheromones, living organisms such as nematodes, eggs, compost teas, and an overview of electrostatic technology.

time icon 08:00 to 16:00

time icon 09:15 to 09:30

time icon 09:30 to 10:15

Bryan Wattie

Director of Agritech Adoption, Innovate BC

Bryan Wattie is the Director of Agritech Adoption at Innovate BC. Innovate BC is a crown corporation focused on supporting innovative technology adoption and development in British Columbia. Bryan got his start in agriculture at young age, picking potatoes in New Brunswick, where his father ran a potato seed farm and worked as an agrologist. Bryan has worked on a variety of farms across Canada (organic field vegetable, greenhouses, conventional fruit and veg, ranching, and cash crop operations). He obtained his Masters and Bachelors in Bioresource Engineering at McGill University. Over the past decade he has worked for different Canadian agtech start-ups and wanted to leverage that experience to supporting the adoption of new technologies on BC Farms through the on-farm Technology Adoption Program is a competitive program which provides cost-shared non repayable funding (grants) to successful applicant to adopt new and innovative technology for their operations.

Dr. Chris Bodnar

Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley, and Co-owner and Farmer, Close to Home Organics

Chris Bodnar is an Assistant Professor in the University of Fraser Valley's Agriculture Program, specializing in Agribusiness. His research areas include co-operative business models, and production economics for climate-resilient crops. Chris has 18 years experience as a vegetable farmer in Abbotsford BC. He is a Limited License Agrologist; his agrology consulting work focused on supporting farms in business planning through developing business strategy and production economics. He is an Appeal Board Member with Agriculture Canada’s Farm Debt Mediation Service. Previously, Chris taught the Business and Agriculture course in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Sustainable Agriculture Program. He also worked with Young Agrarians to develop their Business Mentorship Network and a series of financial literacy modules for their new entrant support programs.

Michel van Eekelen

CTO, Van Eekelen Enterprises Ltd.

Michel van Eekelen is the CTO of Van Eekelen Enterprises Ltd. Van Eekelen Ent grows high quality vegetables in the Sumas Prairie, including endive (witloof), leeks, and broccoli. He grew up on the family farm and now oversees all technical innovations and investments on the farm. Michel has a background in robotics and electrical engineering and applies his knowledge to improving quality and efficiency in the farm processes. Michel is also the President of MVA-Automation Inc. which specializes in Agtech and Agrobotics, including tractor and implement autosteer systems, autonomous seeders and weeders and crop care implements.

Andrew Budgell

Owner Operator, Laughing Crow Organics

Andrew Budgell and Kerry McCann have co-owned and operated Laughing Crow Organic vegetable farm in Pemberton BC for over 10 years. Andrew Budgell loves to farm and weeds fear him. Laughing Crow Farm grows and sells vegetables for market/CSA and also operates a sunflower maze and a pick-your-own pumpkin patch.

Raj Hayre

Randhawa Farms / Perpetual Vegetable Company

<p>Raj Hayre, Director of Special Projects, Randhawa Farms.</p>

 Green Room

Listen to the experiences in adopting technology directly from farmers.

time icon 10:15 to 10:30

time icon 10:30 to 11:15

Andries Quik

CEO, Quik's Farm

Andries Quik is the CEO of Quik’s Farm Ltd., where he oversees the overall management of the company. With over twenty years of experience in the floriculture industry, Andries has been instrumental in driving organizational growth and strategic vision. Andries endorses Quik’s Farm’s core values of quality, professionalism, continuity, innovation, customer oriented, and community. He is a member of the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce and is a chair member of the United Flower Growers Co-Operative in Burnaby, BC.

Dave Van Belle

President, Van Belle Nursery

Dave grew up in the nursery business, working summers and afternoons after school doing everything required such as pruning, weeding, potting, shipping and watching irrigation. Consequently, he made a promise to himself to NOT go into this business! However, after graduating from college, having the chance to build an organization was what led Dave to return to the family business. The business is full of talented people and although he shouldn’t be, Dave is continually amazed at their creativity, ingenuity and drive. It is a real pleasure to work together as a team with common goals. Their mission. is “to grow healthy businesses, through healthy people, embracing joy and creating freedom”. They live out their mission by creating an uncommon culture and continually investing in their people. They are continually looking for ways to partner with others. If you are interested in a long-term, mutually profitable relationship. Let Dave know!

Jack Rozendaal

Executive Vice President, DeVry Greenhouses

Jack Rozendaal is dedicated to helping the horticulture industry grow — literally and figuratively. With over 26 years of experience in greenhouses and nurseries, he has become a respected leader in the field. Jack has held various roles at DeVry Greenhouses, focusing on building strong partnerships with growers and major chain retailers across North America. As Executive Vice President, he leads a talented team dedicated to inspiring growth, driving innovation, and ensuring long-term sustainability in the industry.

Michel Benoit

CEO, United Flower Growers Cooperative Association

Michel Benoit is currently the CEO for the United Flower Growers Cooperative Association. He has held this position since 2022. Prior to this, Michel was General manager of the BC Turkey Marketing Board for 15 years. Previous Horticultural experience includes two General Manager’s roles. One in a Tomato Greenhouse (4 years) and also in a large Perennial Nursery (5 years). Michel has obtained an MBA from Simon Fraser University as well as a B.Sc. (Agriculture) form McGill University. Michel has been involved with some of the largest Cooperative Associations in BC. Namely the Prince Rupert Fishermen’s Co-operative, BC Hot House, Lilydale and now UFGCA. Michel had anticipated traveling around the world when he finished his degree from McGill in 1987 but his trip was cut short when he fell in love with British Columbia and he settled in for good. Michel is happily married with two adult children and he makes his home in the beautiful community of Fort Langley.

Leanne Johnson

President & CEO, Gardenworks

Leanne is unapologetic about her passion for connecting people to the natural world through gardening. Leanne leads British Columbia’s largest Retail Garden Centre Company with 10 locations across the lower mainland, Vancouver Island and the South Okanagan. Leanne believes in giving back and has served three terms as Retail Chair of the BC Landscape & Nursery Association and currently acts as Vice Chair of Garden Centres Canada. Leanne also Chaired the 2024 International Garden Centre Congress where 170 garden centre delegates from 19 countries met for 6 days this summer in Quebec City and Montreal. The Congress included inspired visits to Quebec’s top retail garden centres, informative lectures, international panel discussions as well as cultural experiences. After obtaining her Commerce degree from UBC, and then her accounting designation, Leanne left KPMG after 10 remarkable years. She switched gears from the accounting world to a life obsessed with growing Gardenworks and inspiring people to cultivate JOY in their home, garden and community so that together we create a life of beauty and balance!

 Orange Room

time icon 10:30 to 11:10

Sukh Kahlon

Director, Kahlon Farms

<p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; display: inline !important; float: none;" id="isPasted">Sukh Kahlon is a director of a family farm operation that grows and processes raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries in the Fraser Valley. He is very passionate about agriculture and is actively involved in the berry industry. He has served on multiple agricultural organizations&#39; boards over the course of the last 20 years.&nbsp;</span></p>

Leo Benne

President and CEO, Bevo Farms

<p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; display: inline !important; float: none;" id="isPasted">Leo joined his Dad in 1993, early on in Bevo&rsquo;s development, and has recently retired from this position as CEO. Much of Bevo Farms&#39;s growth over the decades is due to his leadership and hands-on approach. He oversaw every stage of the company&rsquo;s operations, focusing on sustainable corporate development, product development, and innovation. He has been instrumental in the company&#39;s growth from 2.5 acres of propagation to nearly fifty acres of propagation and 40+ acres in floral production. Leo&#39;s passion continues to be the development of new ideas to improve plant quality and overall operating efficiency.</span></p>

Dr. Rahul Singh

Director, BC Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), SFU

<p>Dr. Rahul Singh is an experienced science and innovation professional with over two decades of leadership in various roles across academia and industry. He is an expert in biological engineering, entrepreneurship and commercialization and a seasoned strategist and partnership builder. As the Director of the BC Centre for Agritech Innovation, he leads the Centre in supporting the agriculture and agrifood sectors in being sustainable and resilient by adopting innovative technologies to respond to pressing challenges of climate change and the economy. Rahul has worked closely with BC's agriculture, agri-food, forestry, mining and life sciences sectors. He appreciates the technologies that will be integral to BC's globally competitive and locally sustainable value chain in these sectors and supports technology translation and commercialization via user-driven programs. Before joining BCCAI in 2023, Rahul worked at Genome BC, The University of British Columbia, the Atomic Energy Commission in France and the private sector in India. Rahul holds a PhD in Microbiology, a graduate certificate in invention 2 Innovation from SFU-Beedie and a mini-MBA from UBC-Sauder.</p>

Sean O'Connor

CEO, 4ag Robotics

Ruben Houweling

Operations & Propagation Manager, Houweling Nurseries Ltd.

<p id="isPasted">Started at Delta facility 26 years ago. &nbsp;Began working in the propagation department and eventually took on role as General Manager.</p><p>Houweling Nurseries Ltd. in Delta is 50 acres, growing nursery seedlings, culinary herbs, tomatoes &amp; cucumbers.&nbsp;</p>

 Green Room

Explore real-world examples of how farmers in B.C. are using AI to solve everyday challenges, improve efficiency, and transform farm operations today.

time icon 10:30 to 10:55

Peter Torenvliet

Certified Irrigation Designer, Branch Manager - Chilliwack, Southern Irrigation

Peter Torenvliet is a Certified Irrigation Designer working for Southern Irrigation in Chilliwack, BC. Peter has been in the irrigation industry for seven years working with customers in sales and design. Peter also dairy farms with his wife and 3 boys in Chilliwack.

 Blue Room

Join Southern Irrigation in exploring practical approaches to drip line installation in blueberry fields, applicable to other commodities as well. This presentation will cover effective techniques for system setup, maintenance, and water delivery optimization.

time icon 10:55 to 11:25

Andrew Nadler

Agricultural Meteorologist, Peak HydroMet Solutions

<p>Andrew Nadler is a Professional Agrologist and Agricultural Meteorologist with extensive expertise in matters related to weather, climate, and water. He has built and operated several climate monitoring networks across Western Canada, including BC’s new AgriWeather program. As the principal of Peak HydroMet Solutions Inc., Andy’s work focuses on leveraging monitoring technology to optimize operational efficiency and to mitigate risks associated with climate variability. Andy holds a master’s degree in Soil Science, specializing in Agrometeorology, from the University of Manitoba, and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Winnipeg. He resides in Campbell River.</p>

 Blue Room

A review of various soil moisture sensors and how to leverage the information to improve water management in blueberries.

time icon 11:10 to 11:15

 Green Room

time icon 11:15 to 12:00

Mario Lanthier

IPM Consultant & Researcher, Crop Health Advising and Research

Mario is based in Kelowna. His company has been in operation since 1997 and provides services related to plant health in nurseries and greenhouses in British Columbia and Alberta. Over the years, the company has developed a strong program in biocontrol of greenhouse pests, sometimes with great success, sometimes with great failure. Mario has been an active participant in cross-Canada committees aiming to get new pesticide registrations for the ornamental industry, especially the products deemed safer to humans and the environment. He says “I am interested in the plant, and I am interested in the microscopic world around the plant.”

 Orange Room

Thrips pose a significant challenge across a wide range of crops, especially in greenhouse environments, where management can be complicated by insecticide resistance and the introduction of new species. This presentation will explore the biology of thrips, with an emphasis on effective management tactics, including the latest insecticide options and the integration of biocontrol agents for sustainable pest control.

time icon 11:15 to 12:00

Bryan Wattie

Director of Agritech Adoption, Innovate BC

Bryan Wattie is the Director of Agritech Adoption at Innovate BC. Innovate BC is a crown corporation focused on supporting innovative technology adoption and development in British Columbia. Bryan got his start in agriculture at young age, picking potatoes in New Brunswick, where his father ran a potato seed farm and worked as an agrologist. Bryan has worked on a variety of farms across Canada (organic field vegetable, greenhouses, conventional fruit and veg, ranching, and cash crop operations). He obtained his Masters and Bachelors in Bioresource Engineering at McGill University. Over the past decade he has worked for different Canadian agtech start-ups and wanted to leverage that experience to supporting the adoption of new technologies on BC Farms through the on-farm Technology Adoption Program is a competitive program which provides cost-shared non repayable funding (grants) to successful applicant to adopt new and innovative technology for their operations.

Rupee Besla

Manager of Business Development in the Lower Mainland, FCC

Rupee Besla is a dedicated professional with over a decade of experience at Farm Credit Canada, where he currently works as a Manager of Business Development supporting agricultural producers in the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan. With a profound passion for agriculture and finance, Rupee is committed to helping farmers thrive by providing tailored financial solutions and resources. His expertise in the industry, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges faced by producers, enables him to foster meaningful relationships and drive positive outcomes. Through his work, he continually strives to empower producers, ensuring their success and the vitality of the agricultural sector as a whole.

 Green Room

Innovate BC and Farm Credit Canada invite you to a unique workshop designed to empower farmers in evaluating and adopting new technologies. Reflect on a century of agricultural innovations and lessons learned, then dive into actionable case studies and a structured approach to assessing new tools. Farm Credit Canada will wrap up with expert advice on preparing financially for future tech investments on the farm.

time icon 11:25 to 12:00

Josh Andrews

P.Ag, Nutrient Management Specialist, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Josh Andrews is a Nutrient Management Specialist at the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food. His role is currently focused on developing tools and information for B.C. farmers regarding the use of manures and fertilizers, providing guidance for soil sampling and testing, and assisting with other Ministry of Agriculture and Food projects involving resource management.

 Blue Room

What are the key areas to review on your soil analysis report? How can you use soil analysis and leaf tissue analysis to determine the fertilizer needs of your berry crop in the following season?

time icon 12:00 to 13:30

 MNP Pavillion

time icon 13:30 to 13:55

Tim Dumas

Executive Strategy Coach, Servus Leadership Inc., Business Coaching

Executive Strategic Coach by Day! High School Football Coach by Night! Striving for greatness by bringing out the greatness in others always! As a business owner and certified coach, Tim works with organizations in all stages of their growth process. His passion lies in working with executive teams to empower their people through scalable systems and strategy to grow their business; all while living a rewarding life. With his wife, Stephanie, and their six children, Tim resides just outside of Vancouver, in Tsawwassen, BC.

 Orange Room

An overview of the business management skills and strategies that owners and operators of Greenhouse Vegetable facilities may utilize in more effectively running their businesses and managing their staff.

time icon 13:30 to 14:25

Nik Wiman

Professor, Oregon State University

Nik Wiman is a field-oriented biologist that has been active in agricultural science since 1998. Early in his career he worked on biological control of rangeland weeds in Montana, and he also spent a number of years working as a researcher in the apple and cherry industries of central Washington State. He has been employed at OSU since 2012 and has worked extensively on the invasive pest brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB). Since 2015, he is the Willamette Valley Extension specialist for orchard crops and the lead Extension faculty for hazelnuts. Hazelnuts (filberts) are the most important orchard crop in the Willamette Valley, an area that not only produces almost all of the US crop, but is reknown around the world for the quality of nuts produced. There are more than 80,000 acres of hazelnuts in Oregon, with more than half of the acreage represented by orchards planted in the last ten years. Current research includes IPM for new and old hazelnut pests, hazelnut nutrition, hazelnut water use/irrigation, and cider apple production. Primary interests are population biology of insects, biological control of insects, sustainable orcharding, and grower outreach. Links of interest: Wiman Lab Blog OSU Hazelnut Facebook Orchard Crops OSU Hazelnut Extension Documents Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Report Hazelnut listserv (info for hazelnut growers) Orchards listserv (info for tree fruit growers). Nik can can also advise graduate students through the Department of Horticulture in applied entomology, orchard ecology, and hazelnut production.

 Blue Room

Key insights and research updates from Oregon’s hazelnut industry, focusing on orchard management, disease control, and sustainability. Learn practical strategies to enhance hazelnut production based on the latest findings and Oregon’s experience.

time icon 13:30 to 14:00

Dr. David Bryla

Research Horticulturalist, United States Department of Agriculture

Dr. David Bryla is a research horticulturist with the USDA ARS Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Research Unit in Corvallis, Oregon, USA. He completed his PhD in Plant Biology at the University of California, Davis in 1994 and began working for the USDA in 1999. He is recognized internationally for his research on tree fruit, vegetables, and berry crops. His primary research goals are to increase production and quality of these crops while promoting efficient use of fertilizers and irrigation water. Currents projects in his lab include identifying methods to increase fruit calcium in berry crops, developing drought-resistant irrigation strategies, addressing heat damage in berries through irrigation and other horticultural technologies, exploring the benefits of soil amendments such as humic acids and biochar, and assessing the practicality of utilizing nutrient water recovered from waste to fertigate blueberries and other crops in soilless media.

 Green Room

Re-visit the heat dome and its impact on fruit loss in blueberry, blackberry and raspberry, and hear a refresher on heat mitigation strategies.

time icon 13:55 to 14:20

Cara McCreary

Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

Cara McCreary is the Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and is working out of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Harrow Research & Development Centre. Cara joined the ministry in January 2015 from a position as a Research Associate in the Edible Bean Program at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. Prior to joining the University of Guelph, Cara was the Acting Field Crop Entomologist at OMAFRA. She also has several years of experience as a greenhouse scout and supervisor, and as a horticultural advisor. Cara has a Master of Science in Environmental Biology from the University of Guelph, a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Administration from the University of Windsor, and an Associate Diploma in Horticulture from the University of Guelph. During her master’s degree, she studied the life cycle, temperature-dependent development and economic impact of an agricultural pest, the bean leaf beetle. In her current role with the ministry, Cara has worked extensively on emerging pest issues, such as pepper weevil and tomato brown rugose fruit virus. Pest management has been her focus and passion through both work experience and education.

 Orange Room

An update on research and findings regarding greenhouse pepper fusarium rot; mitigation practices and control methods.

time icon 14:00 to 14:45

Mark Ledebuhr

Principal Consultant, Application Insight, LLC

Mark Ledebuhr is an innovator, entrepreneur, and co-author of Airblast 101: Your Guide to Effective and Efficient Spraying. With over 25 years of experience in spray application, he has led high-impact projects across the globe, from innovative orchard and vineyard sprayer technologies such as Proptec™ sprayers, to developing the leading technology for evaluating drone spray swaths. As Principal Consultant at Application Insight LLC, Mark partners with universities, R&D teams, and growers to tackle real-world spray application challenges— blending science, creativity, and real-world experience. Mark is driven by his passion for sustainable, efficient, and pragmatic solutions in agriculture. He believes strongly that empowered, informed people do great things— especially when it comes to spray application! He strives to inform and empower people to be better stewards, not only of their crops and the chemicals they use to grow them, but also the land, air, and water we all share.

 Green Room

Learn about actionable strategies to increase spraying success. We’ll cover optimal use of conventional sprayers though to some of the newest and most promising upcoming technologies and give you decision support tools to help determine what’s right for your operation.

time icon 14:20 to 14:45

Dr. Youbin Zheng

Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph

Dr. Youbin Zheng is a horticulture professor at the University of Guelph and the past president of the Canadian Society for Horticultural Science. With over 25 years of experience in controlled environment (CE) plant production, his research covers a wide range of topics, including greenhouse vegetable and ornamental production, indoor cannabis and other medicinal and nutraceutical plant production. He is widely recognized for his expertise in plant lighting, particularly the impact of light intensity, spectrum, and photoperiod, as well as in rootzone management, including the formulation of soilless media and sensor-based fertigation. More recently, he has been leading research projects that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into CE plant production. Dr. Zheng has published over 160 scientific papers and contributed to numerous extension articles and reports. He is especially passionate about ensuring that his research is applied directly by growers, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of real-world CE production practices.

 Orange Room

An overview of how AI may already be being used in greenhouse vegetable production, or how it may be applied to the sector as its development advances in the future.

time icon 14:25 to 14:45

Kevin Hooge

Co-Owner, Fraser Valley Hazelnuts Ltd.

Kevin Hooge is one of the owners of Fraser Valley Hazelnuts. FVH is a family owned and operated company and is a washing, drying and further processing facility in Greendale B.C. He has been serving on the BC hazelnut growers board since 2017. He is excited to be involved in the renewal of this industry and believes it has a bright future!

Steve Hope

Co-Owner, Fraser Valley Hazelnuts Ltd.

<p>Steve has been involved in the hazelnut industry since 2014 as a grower and co-owner of Fraser Valley Hazelnuts. He has served on the board of the BCHGA since 2018. Steve is excited to be a part of the reemergence of the BC hazelnut industry, and committed to assist in its development.</p>

 Blue Room

Perspectives from a B.C. packer. Hear about trends in the local and international market.

time icon 14:45 to 15:00

time icon 15:00 to 15:30

Siva Sabaratnam

BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food

<p>Siva has been working as a Plant Pathologist for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food since 2004. He graduated from the Western University (formally University of Western Ontario) with a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and, thereafter, completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Iowa State University. At the Ministry, his core responsibilities are addressing critical plant diseases, understanding disease epidemiology, developing disease management strategies, and providing education and advice to farmers on disease prevention and management. As part of his duties, he also address the threat from regulated/quarantine plant pathogens under the Provincial Plant Protection Act. Siva takes pleasure in mentoring young graduate students and recent graduates in perusing their careers in Plant Health</p>

  Blue Room 

Learn key strategies for preventing and controlling diseases in orchards.

time icon 15:00 to 15:25

Jens Ehlers

Scientific Sales Advisor and Hygiene Expert for Greenhouses, Menno Chemie Vertrieb GMBH, Germany

Jens Ehlers is a guest scientist at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and a scientific sales advisor at MENNO Chemie, who has been working on the control of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) as part of his PhD time. In this research, innovative cleaning and disinfection concepts were developed to improve the control of stable pathogens such as ToBRFV, CGMMV or bacterial and fungal pathogens in the future. The studies were carried out with a very practical approach in order to present reliable results to producers.

 Orange Room

New strategies and technologies to prevent the spread of ToBRFV, focusing on advanced sanitation practices, resistant plant varieties, and monitoring systems to protect crops.

time icon 15:00 to 15:25

Dr. David Bryla

Research Horticulturalist, United States Department of Agriculture

Dr. David Bryla is a research horticulturist with the USDA ARS Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Research Unit in Corvallis, Oregon, USA. He completed his PhD in Plant Biology at the University of California, Davis in 1994 and began working for the USDA in 1999. He is recognized internationally for his research on tree fruit, vegetables, and berry crops. His primary research goals are to increase production and quality of these crops while promoting efficient use of fertilizers and irrigation water. Currents projects in his lab include identifying methods to increase fruit calcium in berry crops, developing drought-resistant irrigation strategies, addressing heat damage in berries through irrigation and other horticultural technologies, exploring the benefits of soil amendments such as humic acids and biochar, and assessing the practicality of utilizing nutrient water recovered from waste to fertigate blueberries and other crops in soilless media.

 Green Room

Continuous and direct measurements of blueberry water uptake over the season, to help determine more precise irrigation timings.

time icon 15:25 to 15:50

Steve Mantle

Founder and CEO, Innov8.ag

Steve Mantle is founder and CEO of innov8.ag, a Washington State, USA-based ag data insights company focused on ‘empowering growers with data’. innov8.ag’s focus on bringing farm geospatial data layers ‘alive’ using emerging data collection technologies are showcased in the Smart Orchard with Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, BerrySmart Fields with US Highbush Blueberry Council, and commercially - with growers of both permanent & row crops across the United States. Prior to launching into the ag data venture, Steve spent almost 20 years in leadership roles in tech companies including Microsoft headquarters. When at home in Walla Walla, WA, Steve enjoys time with his wife and children, skiing, hiking, and geeking out on and in farms.

 Green Room

Learn about the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council’s BerrySmart project and the results from field testing new technologies in commercial blueberry fields.

time icon 15:25 to 15:50

Mark Lefsrud

Associate Professor, McGill University

Dr. Lefsrud is an Associate Professor at McGill University and leads the Biomass Production Laboratory. His education is a B.Sc. (USask) and M.Sc. (Rutgers) in Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering and a Ph.D. (UTenn) in Plant Physiology giving him a background in agriculture, biology, and engineering. The laboratory's primary goal is the improvement of plants for human consumption (food security), post harvest processing, and energy. Within the focus of food security, he is investigating methods for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and indoor plant environments (IPE) including research for: medicinal cannabis, northern greenhouse design, tropical greenhouse design, reduced gravity plant growth systems, greenhouse heating using wood pellets (with direct combustion and gasification), HVAC design and control, plant monitoring/machine vision, light emitting diodes, plant substrate design, nutrient monitoring and control, and technologies for improving vertical farming.

 Orange Room

An update on current and upcoming new technology as it relates to substrate sensor equipment (conductivity, moisture, etc.) in application to greenhouse vegetable production.

time icon 15:30 to 16:15

Jorge Mohr

Co-Founder and Director, Nefuen Trading

Jorge Mohr Fuchslocher is Co-Founder and Director of Nefuen Trading Chile Spa located in South Chilean Patagonia. He is an Agronomist Engineer with a strong family background in farming started in Chile in 1852 and his interest and business have always been related to agriculture and innovation. Together with Grupo Hijuelas, one the most important nurseries in Chile, owned by Family Goycoolea, they started the largest in vitro propagation of hazelnut in Chile that represents Oregon State University cultivars such as Yamhill, Tonda Pacifica, McDonald and others for South America and Europe. Today they own and farm for more than 800 hectares of those varieties and are trading worldwide there off season fresh hazelnuts as well as in collaboration with other  farmers that are planting those varieties.

 Blue Room

An overview of the Chilean hazelnut industry, focusing on orchard management and the technologies driving sustainable production.

time icon 15:50 to 16:15

Rick de Jong

International Business Development Manager, Agro-K

Rick graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada in 1990. Over his career Rick has worked in crop nutrition at the regional, national and international levels dealing with a range of crops including tree fruits, small fruits, and various row crops. He has been involved in fertilizer manufacturing, distribution, research, and crop consulting. Rick is a registered Technical Agrologist with the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists. Presently, Rick is the International Business Development Manager for Agro-K Corporation based out of West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.

 Green Room

How sap field data can show emerging trends and issues impacting blueberry crop nutrition.

time icon 15:50 to 16:15

Majid Bahrami

Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Alternative Energy Conversion Systems, Simon Fraser University,

Dr. Bahrami is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Alternative Energy Conversion Systems at SFU. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineers (FCAE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (FASME). Bahrami championed interdisciplinary, collaborative research in multitudes of sustainable clean energy systems, including: harvesting and transforming low-grade heat for sustainable air conditioning, thermal energy storage, atmospheric water harvesting, heat pump systems and dehumidification for applications in automotive, agri-food, sustainable city, and hybrid thermal electric microgrids. He has a strong track record in successful collaboration with national and international research institutes and industry. He formed 2 start-ups; won national and international research and innovation awards; published 12 patents and 350 publications; and supervised 180+ highly qualified personnel, including 8 professors.

 Orange Room

A review of alternative energy sources being applied to greenhouse vegetable production to reduce costs and increase efficiency of energy usage, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

time icon 08:00 to 12:00

time icon 09:15 to 09:50

Jesse Way

Co-Owner, Milky Way Farm

Jesse Way co-owns Milky Way Farm with his partner Meghan Brandenburg. Milky Way Farm is an ecologically focused small-scale mixed vegetable farm in Oxford County, Ontario. As members of the Ecological Farmer’s Association of Ontario (EFAO)’s Farmer Led Research Program, Jesse has been investigating the contribution and influence of cover crops on plant available nitrogen.

 Orange Room

An overview of Milky Way Farm’s on-farm demonstration research project measuring the nitrogen release from cover crops and how it has changed their management strategies.

time icon 09:15 to 09:30

Peter Ellis

Laboratory Director, Phyto Diagnostics Company Ltd.

Dr. Peter Ellis is the Laboratory Director of Phyto Diagnostics Company Limited and has over 40 years of experience working in plant pathology. He first worked as a diagnostician in the Plant Clinic with BCMAFF, then as a plant pathologist with Alberta Agriculture in the Peace River Region. Peter completed his Ph.D. in plant virology at the University of British Columbia and worked as a research scientist with the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. His research focus was on virus diseases of potato. When the Vancouver Research Station closed in 1996, Peter founded Phyto Diagnostics Company Limited to provide diagnostic testing services for seed potato growers in Western Canada. The company has expanded to provide diagnostic testing services for small fruit, tree fruit, grapevine, hops, greenhouse vegetables, ornamentals, and field crops.

 Green Room

Phyto Diagnostics Company tests thousands of blueberry samples from the B.C. blueberry industry. What trends are they seeing in virus testing results from 2024?

time icon 09:30 to 09:45

Carolyn Teasdale

Industry Specialist, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Carolyn Teasdale is the Industry Specialist for Berries with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. She is a Professional Agrologist with the BCIA, has a Master of Pest Management from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Global Resource Systems from UBC. Prior to working at the Ministry, Carolyn was an Integrated Pest Management Consultant with E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. and an Environmental Farm Plan Planning Advisor.

 Green Room

How fast has blueberry scorch virus spread over the past three years in Abbotsford blueberry fields with good aphid management?

time icon 09:45 to 10:00

Michael Dossett

Berry Breeder, BC Blueberry Council, Raspberry Industry Development Council, BC Strawberry Growers&#039; Association

Michael Dossett has led Blueberry, Raspberry and Strawberry breeding efforts for the BC industry since 2013, in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The breeding program emphasizes the development of new, improved varieties that will meet the needs of growers and consumers, by using traditional breeding methods though the practical application of statistics and molecular tools.

 Green Room

Hear an update on the performance of advanced blueberry selections from the B.C. breeding program.

time icon 09:50 to 10:15

Josh Andrews

P.Ag, Nutrient Management Specialist, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Josh Andrews is a Nutrient Management Specialist at the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food. His role is currently focused on developing tools and information for B.C. farmers regarding the use of manures and fertilizers, providing guidance for soil sampling and testing, and assisting with other Ministry of Agriculture and Food projects involving resource management.

 Orange Room

Overview of how to use the B.C. Nutrient Management calculator, the importance of post-harvest nitrate sampling, and programs to support on-farm nutrient management planning.

time icon 10:00 to 10:45

Mark Sweeney

Consulting Horticulturalist

David Mutz

Producer and Packer, Berry Haven Farms

David is a third-generation berry farmer at his family farm, Berryhaven Farm Ltd. Together with his parents, he runs a wholesale fresh market berry operation in Abbotsford B.C. David sits on the Board of Directors for the Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association. He is a representative on the Abbotsford Agriculture Grants Committee and the Canadian representative for the North American Raspberry/Blackberry Association. David has also served as Chair of the Raspberry Industry Development Council and on BCAC’s Labour Committee. David farms with the support of his wife, Kristen, together they have a young son and daughter.

Doug McCann

Sales Manager, Oregon Blueberry Farms and Nursery

Doug comes from a family that has farmed in Oregon for multiple generations. Starting in his childhood, Doug gained experience in all aspects of agriculture from working the farm to marketing the product. Prior to joining Oregon Blueberry™, Doug worked as a manager at Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises in Oregon. He joined Oregon Blueberry™ in 2010 and has played multiple roles in the development of the company. He currently leads the company’s North American sales effort.

Harry Sidhu

Nursery Manager, Sidhu Growers

Harry Sidhu is a Nursery Manager at Sidhu Growers, a role in which he leverages over 20 years of experience working on his family's commercial blueberry farm and nursery. With extensive knowledge in blueberry production, Harry plays a central role in supporting producers by offering guidance on various aspects of blueberry cultivation. His expertise helps optimize production techniques and support the success of growers. His hands-on experience and deep understanding of the industry make him an essential resource for improving blueberry growing practices.

Paul Pryce

Executive Director, BC Blueberry Council

Paul Pryce is the new Executive Director of BC Blueberry Council. Previously, he served as BC Agriculture Council’s first Director of Policy and has held a variety of roles in key overseas markets for blueberries, such as Counsellor (Commercial) at the Embassy of Canada to Japan. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Calgary and a Master of Arts in International Relations from Tallinn University.

 Green Room

A panel discussion on the best practices for growing and harvesting blueberries to ensure healthy plants and high yields while prioritizing fruit quality.

time icon 10:15 to 10:45

Katie Goldenhar

Plant Pathologist, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Katie Goldenhar is a plant pathologist with the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food based in Kelowna. She works to strengthen the provinces agriculture sectors through education and applied research on improved disease identification and management. Previously, she worked at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribuisness as a horticulture plant pathologist. Ms. Goldenhar obtained her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Guelph and her Master of Science in Plant Pathology from Michigan State University.

 Orange Room

Overview of common brassica disease and organic control strategies.

time icon 10:45 to 11:00

time icon 11:00 to 12:30

Sarah Stewart

Extension and Events Coordinator, Organic BC

Sarah Stewart is the Extension and Events Coordinator for Organic BC, where she fosters connections within the farming community, through knowledge transfer and extension activities. With 15 years of experience as co-owner of a mixed vegetable farm in Pemberton, BC, she brings a hands-on understanding of the agricultural landscape.

Dr. Chris Bodnar

Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley, and Co-owner and Farmer, Close to Home Organics

Chris Bodnar is an Assistant Professor in the University of Fraser Valley's Agriculture Program, specializing in Agribusiness. His research areas include co-operative business models, and production economics for climate-resilient crops. Chris has 18 years experience as a vegetable farmer in Abbotsford BC. He is a Limited License Agrologist; his agrology consulting work focused on supporting farms in business planning through developing business strategy and production economics. He is an Appeal Board Member with Agriculture Canada’s Farm Debt Mediation Service. Previously, Chris taught the Business and Agriculture course in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Sustainable Agriculture Program. He also worked with Young Agrarians to develop their Business Mentorship Network and a series of financial literacy modules for their new entrant support programs.

Harvie Snow

Co-Manager, Snow Farms Ltd.

<p>Harvie is a partner in Snow Farms Ltd, a certified organic fresh vegetable farm in Delta BC. &nbsp;Snow Farms is entering its 30th year of production.</p>

Matthew Carr

Lead Agrologist, Cultivate Horticulture

Lead agrologist, Matthew Carr A.Ag., specializes in production horticulture focusing on organic and soil-health based systems. With the backing of two Prairie Horticulture Certificates and a Bachelor of Science major in Horticulture and minor in Soil Science from the University of Saskatchewan (2019), and the development of his own successful farm business, he is resource of practical and theoretical knowledge combining modern and traditional practices. With his invested interest in agriculture through his farm, he understands and has experienced learning the tough skills of growing food and entrepreneurship.

 Orange Room

An overview of tractor mounted weeding equipment available for B.C. producers. Producer panelists will share their experiences with the Thiessen Cultivator, Stout Smart Cultivator as well as more traditional tools.

time icon 11:00 to 11:30

Dr. Lisa Wasko DeVetter

Associate Professor, Small Fruit Horticulture, Washington State University

Lisa Wasko DeVetter is an Associate Professor of Small Fruit Horticulture and is based at the Washington State University Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research & Extension. Her program focus is maximizing productivity, fruit quality, and on-farm efficiencies, while ensuring the health of adjacent natural resources critical for small fruit crop production in the Pacific Northwest. Primary research areas include optimizing pollination services in small fruit crops, improved end-of-life management of agricultural plastics used in small fruit crop production, abiotic stress tolerance, machine harvesting technologies, and nutrient management.

 Green Room

Learn about the latest research on honeybee stocking density, placement, and new tools to inform pollination decisions on blueberry farms.

time icon 11:30 to 12:00

George Kaufman

Agronomist, AgriCare Inc.

 Green Room

Hear first-hand experience about how to select, install, and maintain pollinator habitat on blueberry farms to support pollinator and beneficial insect populations.

time icon 12:00 to 12:30

Cort Brazelton

Co-CEO, Fall Creek Nursery

Micah Weiss

Area Manager, Fall Creek Nursery

Micah Weiss is the Area Manager for Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, where he leads sales and grower support for the US and Canada. He brings over a decade of blueberry experience ranging from research and fruit production to farm management and sales. Micah is a board member for the Northwest Berry Foundation and serves on the Finance Committee for the North American Blueberry Council. He is also an amateur triathlete and a leader on his local Search and Rescue team.

 Green Room

Fruit quality is of increasing importance in global and local blueberry markets. What strategic advantages do growers in the Pacific Northwest have to optimizeyields and fruit quality while lowering unit costs.

Speakers

Steve Hope

Co-Owner, Fraser Valley Hazelnuts Ltd.

READ BIO

Steve Hope

Co-Owner, Fraser Valley Hazelnuts Ltd.

<p>Steve has been involved in the hazelnut industry since 2014 as a grower and co-owner of Fraser Valley Hazelnuts. He has served on the board of the BCHGA since 2018. Steve is excited to be a part of the reemergence of the BC hazelnut industry, and committed to assist in its development.</p>

Ruben Houweling

Operations & Propagation Manager, Houweling Nurseries Ltd.

READ BIO

Ruben Houweling

Operations & Propagation Manager, Houweling Nurseries Ltd.

<p id="isPasted">Started at Delta facility 26 years ago. &nbsp;Began working in the propagation department and eventually took on role as General Manager.</p><p>Houweling Nurseries Ltd. in Delta is 50 acres, growing nursery seedlings, culinary herbs, tomatoes &amp; cucumbers.&nbsp;</p>

Michel van Eekelen

CTO, Van Eekelen Enterprises Ltd.

READ BIO

Michel van Eekelen

CTO, Van Eekelen Enterprises Ltd.

Michel van Eekelen is the CTO of Van Eekelen Enterprises Ltd. Van Eekelen Ent grows high quality vegetables in the Sumas Prairie, including endive (witloof), leeks, and broccoli. He grew up on the family farm and now oversees all technical innovations and investments on the farm. Michel has a background in robotics and electrical engineering and applies his knowledge to improving quality and efficiency in the farm processes. Michel is also the President of MVA-Automation Inc. which specializes in Agtech and Agrobotics, including tractor and implement autosteer systems, autonomous seeders and weeders and crop care implements.

Michael Dossett

Berry Breeder, BC Blueberry Council, Raspberry Industry Development Council, BC Strawberry Growers&#039; Association

READ BIO

Michael Dossett

Berry Breeder, BC Blueberry Council, Raspberry Industry Development Council, BC Strawberry Growers&#039; Association

Michael Dossett has led Blueberry, Raspberry and Strawberry breeding efforts for the BC industry since 2013, in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The breeding program emphasizes the development of new, improved varieties that will meet the needs of growers and consumers, by using traditional breeding methods though the practical application of statistics and molecular tools.

Andrew Nadler

Agricultural Meteorologist, Peak HydroMet Solutions

READ BIO

Andrew Nadler

Agricultural Meteorologist, Peak HydroMet Solutions

<p>Andrew Nadler is a Professional Agrologist and Agricultural Meteorologist with extensive expertise in matters related to weather, climate, and water. He has built and operated several climate monitoring networks across Western Canada, including BC’s new AgriWeather program. As the principal of Peak HydroMet Solutions Inc., Andy’s work focuses on leveraging monitoring technology to optimize operational efficiency and to mitigate risks associated with climate variability. Andy holds a master’s degree in Soil Science, specializing in Agrometeorology, from the University of Manitoba, and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Winnipeg. He resides in Campbell River.</p>

Dr. Rahul Singh

Director, BC Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), SFU

READ BIO

Dr. Rahul Singh

Director, BC Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), SFU

<p>Dr. Rahul Singh is an experienced science and innovation professional with over two decades of leadership in various roles across academia and industry. He is an expert in biological engineering, entrepreneurship and commercialization and a seasoned strategist and partnership builder. As the Director of the BC Centre for Agritech Innovation, he leads the Centre in supporting the agriculture and agrifood sectors in being sustainable and resilient by adopting innovative technologies to respond to pressing challenges of climate change and the economy. Rahul has worked closely with BC's agriculture, agri-food, forestry, mining and life sciences sectors. He appreciates the technologies that will be integral to BC's globally competitive and locally sustainable value chain in these sectors and supports technology translation and commercialization via user-driven programs. Before joining BCCAI in 2023, Rahul worked at Genome BC, The University of British Columbia, the Atomic Energy Commission in France and the private sector in India. Rahul holds a PhD in Microbiology, a graduate certificate in invention 2 Innovation from SFU-Beedie and a mini-MBA from UBC-Sauder.</p>

Harvie Snow

Co-Manager, Snow Farms Ltd.

READ BIO

Harvie Snow

Co-Manager, Snow Farms Ltd.

<p>Harvie is a partner in Snow Farms Ltd, a certified organic fresh vegetable farm in Delta BC. &nbsp;Snow Farms is entering its 30th year of production.</p>

Carolyn Teasdale

Industry Specialist, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food

READ BIO

Carolyn Teasdale

Industry Specialist, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Carolyn Teasdale is the Industry Specialist for Berries with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food. She is a Professional Agrologist with the BCIA, has a Master of Pest Management from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Global Resource Systems from UBC. Prior to working at the Ministry, Carolyn was an Integrated Pest Management Consultant with E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. and an Environmental Farm Plan Planning Advisor.

Heather Meberg

President and Director, Grower Services, E.S. Cropconsult.

READ BIO

Heather Meberg

President and Director, Grower Services, E.S. Cropconsult.

Heather Meberg started working at ES Cropconsult in 1998. Her specialty area includes IPM for organic and conventional vegetable production. She has conducted field research examining chemical and non-chemical pest control. In 2006, Heather assumed the role of President and Director of Grower Services, overseeing all aspects of the monitoring programs offered by ES Cropconsult. Heather has worked with the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust, and is a recognized Planning Advisor with the BC Environmental Farm Plan.

Heather Watson

Executive Director, Farm Management Canada

READ BIO

Heather Watson

Executive Director, Farm Management Canada

Heather Watson leads the team as Executive Director of Farm Management Canada, a national non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the awareness, appreciation and adoption of farm business management practices to help position Canada’s farmers for sustainable growth and prosperity. For well over a decade, Heather has also served as the Canadian representative to the International Farm Management Association and in 2022 was recognized as one of Canada’s Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. Heather obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Guelph and went on to obtain her Master’s degree from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. Heatherresides in Ottawa.

Doug McCann

Sales Manager, Oregon Blueberry Farms and Nursery

READ BIO

Doug McCann

Sales Manager, Oregon Blueberry Farms and Nursery

Doug comes from a family that has farmed in Oregon for multiple generations. Starting in his childhood, Doug gained experience in all aspects of agriculture from working the farm to marketing the product. Prior to joining Oregon Blueberry™, Doug worked as a manager at Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises in Oregon. He joined Oregon Blueberry™ in 2010 and has played multiple roles in the development of the company. He currently leads the company’s North American sales effort.

Cort Brazelton

Co-CEO, Fall Creek Nursery

READ BIO

Cort Brazelton

Co-CEO, Fall Creek Nursery

Peter Torenvliet

Certified Irrigation Designer, Branch Manager - Chilliwack, Southern Irrigation

READ BIO

Peter Torenvliet

Certified Irrigation Designer, Branch Manager - Chilliwack, Southern Irrigation

Peter Torenvliet is a Certified Irrigation Designer working for Southern Irrigation in Chilliwack, BC. Peter has been in the irrigation industry for seven years working with customers in sales and design. Peter also dairy farms with his wife and 3 boys in Chilliwack.

David Mutz

Producer and Packer, Berry Haven Farms

READ BIO

David Mutz

Producer and Packer, Berry Haven Farms

David is a third-generation berry farmer at his family farm, Berryhaven Farm Ltd. Together with his parents, he runs a wholesale fresh market berry operation in Abbotsford B.C. David sits on the Board of Directors for the Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association. He is a representative on the Abbotsford Agriculture Grants Committee and the Canadian representative for the North American Raspberry/Blackberry Association. David has also served as Chair of the Raspberry Industry Development Council and on BCAC’s Labour Committee. David farms with the support of his wife, Kristen, together they have a young son and daughter.

Nik Wiman

Professor, Oregon State University

READ BIO

Nik Wiman

Professor, Oregon State University

Nik Wiman is a field-oriented biologist that has been active in agricultural science since 1998. Early in his career he worked on biological control of rangeland weeds in Montana, and he also spent a number of years working as a researcher in the apple and cherry industries of central Washington State. He has been employed at OSU since 2012 and has worked extensively on the invasive pest brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB). Since 2015, he is the Willamette Valley Extension specialist for orchard crops and the lead Extension faculty for hazelnuts. Hazelnuts (filberts) are the most important orchard crop in the Willamette Valley, an area that not only produces almost all of the US crop, but is reknown around the world for the quality of nuts produced. There are more than 80,000 acres of hazelnuts in Oregon, with more than half of the acreage represented by orchards planted in the last ten years. Current research includes IPM for new and old hazelnut pests, hazelnut nutrition, hazelnut water use/irrigation, and cider apple production. Primary interests are population biology of insects, biological control of insects, sustainable orcharding, and grower outreach. Links of interest: Wiman Lab Blog OSU Hazelnut Facebook Orchard Crops OSU Hazelnut Extension Documents Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Report Hazelnut listserv (info for hazelnut growers) Orchards listserv (info for tree fruit growers). Nik can can also advise graduate students through the Department of Horticulture in applied entomology, orchard ecology, and hazelnut production.

Kevin Hooge

Co-Owner, Fraser Valley Hazelnuts Ltd.

READ BIO

Kevin Hooge

Co-Owner, Fraser Valley Hazelnuts Ltd.

Kevin Hooge is one of the owners of Fraser Valley Hazelnuts. FVH is a family owned and operated company and is a washing, drying and further processing facility in Greendale B.C. He has been serving on the BC hazelnut growers board since 2017. He is excited to be involved in the renewal of this industry and believes it has a bright future!

Leo Benne

President and CEO, Bevo Farms

READ BIO

Leo Benne

President and CEO, Bevo Farms

<p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; display: inline !important; float: none;" id="isPasted">Leo joined his Dad in 1993, early on in Bevo&rsquo;s development, and has recently retired from this position as CEO. Much of Bevo Farms&#39;s growth over the decades is due to his leadership and hands-on approach. He oversaw every stage of the company&rsquo;s operations, focusing on sustainable corporate development, product development, and innovation. He has been instrumental in the company&#39;s growth from 2.5 acres of propagation to nearly fifty acres of propagation and 40+ acres in floral production. Leo&#39;s passion continues to be the development of new ideas to improve plant quality and overall operating efficiency.</span></p>

Sukh Kahlon

Director, Kahlon Farms

READ BIO

Sukh Kahlon

Director, Kahlon Farms

<p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; display: inline !important; float: none;" id="isPasted">Sukh Kahlon is a director of a family farm operation that grows and processes raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries in the Fraser Valley. He is very passionate about agriculture and is actively involved in the berry industry. He has served on multiple agricultural organizations&#39; boards over the course of the last 20 years.&nbsp;</span></p>

Majid Bahrami

Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Alternative Energy Conversion Systems, Simon Fraser University,

READ BIO

Majid Bahrami

Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Alternative Energy Conversion Systems, Simon Fraser University,

Dr. Bahrami is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Alternative Energy Conversion Systems at SFU. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineers (FCAE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (FASME). Bahrami championed interdisciplinary, collaborative research in multitudes of sustainable clean energy systems, including: harvesting and transforming low-grade heat for sustainable air conditioning, thermal energy storage, atmospheric water harvesting, heat pump systems and dehumidification for applications in automotive, agri-food, sustainable city, and hybrid thermal electric microgrids. He has a strong track record in successful collaboration with national and international research institutes and industry. He formed 2 start-ups; won national and international research and innovation awards; published 12 patents and 350 publications; and supervised 180+ highly qualified personnel, including 8 professors.

Ben Yurkiw

Seed Representative, Norseco Seeds, Yarrow, B.C.

READ BIO

Ben Yurkiw

Seed Representative, Norseco Seeds, Yarrow, B.C.

Dr. Rishi Burlakoti

Research Scientist, AAFC – Agassiz

READ BIO

Dr. Rishi Burlakoti

Research Scientist, AAFC – Agassiz

Rishi Burlakoti is a Research Scientist- Plant Pathology at Agassiz Research and Development Center, AAFC. His research programs focus on pathogen characterization, disease epidemiology and sustainable management of major diseases of berry crops, field and greenhouse vegetables crops of British Columbia. He has research interests in integrated disease management, plant disease epidemiology, host-pathogen interaction, and pathogen genetics and genomics. Rishi is also an Adjunct Professor in Faculty of Land and Food System, University of British Columbia (UBC) and in Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph. He is serving in editorial boards of ‘Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology’, ‘Plants’, and 'PeerJ'.

Josh Andrews

P.Ag, Nutrient Management Specialist, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food

READ BIO

Josh Andrews

P.Ag, Nutrient Management Specialist, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Josh Andrews is a Nutrient Management Specialist at the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food. His role is currently focused on developing tools and information for B.C. farmers regarding the use of manures and fertilizers, providing guidance for soil sampling and testing, and assisting with other Ministry of Agriculture and Food projects involving resource management.

Dr. Youbin Zheng

Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph

READ BIO

Dr. Youbin Zheng

Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph

Dr. Youbin Zheng is a horticulture professor at the University of Guelph and the past president of the Canadian Society for Horticultural Science. With over 25 years of experience in controlled environment (CE) plant production, his research covers a wide range of topics, including greenhouse vegetable and ornamental production, indoor cannabis and other medicinal and nutraceutical plant production. He is widely recognized for his expertise in plant lighting, particularly the impact of light intensity, spectrum, and photoperiod, as well as in rootzone management, including the formulation of soilless media and sensor-based fertigation. More recently, he has been leading research projects that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into CE plant production. Dr. Zheng has published over 160 scientific papers and contributed to numerous extension articles and reports. He is especially passionate about ensuring that his research is applied directly by growers, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of real-world CE production practices.

Marjolaine Dessureault

Professional Agrologist, Research Director, ES Cropconsult Ltd.

READ BIO

Marjolaine Dessureault

Professional Agrologist, Research Director, ES Cropconsult Ltd.

Marjolaine Dessureault is a Professional Agrologist located in Pemberton, British Columbia. Her work focuses on delivering Integrated Pest Management (IPM), research, and environmental assessment services to farmers. She is the Research Director at E.S. Cropconsult Ltd., and through this work, helps clients design research that will be meaningful to them and to the agricultural industry.

Dave Van Belle

President, Van Belle Nursery

READ BIO

Dave Van Belle

President, Van Belle Nursery

Dave grew up in the nursery business, working summers and afternoons after school doing everything required such as pruning, weeding, potting, shipping and watching irrigation. Consequently, he made a promise to himself to NOT go into this business! However, after graduating from college, having the chance to build an organization was what led Dave to return to the family business. The business is full of talented people and although he shouldn’t be, Dave is continually amazed at their creativity, ingenuity and drive. It is a real pleasure to work together as a team with common goals. Their mission. is “to grow healthy businesses, through healthy people, embracing joy and creating freedom”. They live out their mission by creating an uncommon culture and continually investing in their people. They are continually looking for ways to partner with others. If you are interested in a long-term, mutually profitable relationship. Let Dave know!

Andries Quik

CEO, Quik's Farm

READ BIO

Andries Quik

CEO, Quik's Farm

Andries Quik is the CEO of Quik’s Farm Ltd., where he oversees the overall management of the company. With over twenty years of experience in the floriculture industry, Andries has been instrumental in driving organizational growth and strategic vision. Andries endorses Quik’s Farm’s core values of quality, professionalism, continuity, innovation, customer oriented, and community. He is a member of the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce and is a chair member of the United Flower Growers Co-Operative in Burnaby, BC.

Micah Weiss

Area Manager, Fall Creek Nursery

READ BIO

Micah Weiss

Area Manager, Fall Creek Nursery

Micah Weiss is the Area Manager for Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, where he leads sales and grower support for the US and Canada. He brings over a decade of blueberry experience ranging from research and fruit production to farm management and sales. Micah is a board member for the Northwest Berry Foundation and serves on the Finance Committee for the North American Blueberry Council. He is also an amateur triathlete and a leader on his local Search and Rescue team.

Jorge Mohr

Co-Founder and Director, Nefuen Trading

READ BIO

Jorge Mohr

Co-Founder and Director, Nefuen Trading

Jorge Mohr Fuchslocher is Co-Founder and Director of Nefuen Trading Chile Spa located in South Chilean Patagonia. He is an Agronomist Engineer with a strong family background in farming started in Chile in 1852 and his interest and business have always been related to agriculture and innovation. Together with Grupo Hijuelas, one the most important nurseries in Chile, owned by Family Goycoolea, they started the largest in vitro propagation of hazelnut in Chile that represents Oregon State University cultivars such as Yamhill, Tonda Pacifica, McDonald and others for South America and Europe. Today they own and farm for more than 800 hectares of those varieties and are trading worldwide there off season fresh hazelnuts as well as in collaboration with other  farmers that are planting those varieties.

Mario Lanthier

IPM Consultant & Researcher, Crop Health Advising and Research

READ BIO

Mario Lanthier

IPM Consultant & Researcher, Crop Health Advising and Research

Mario is based in Kelowna. His company has been in operation since 1997 and provides services related to plant health in nurseries and greenhouses in British Columbia and Alberta. Over the years, the company has developed a strong program in biocontrol of greenhouse pests, sometimes with great success, sometimes with great failure. Mario has been an active participant in cross-Canada committees aiming to get new pesticide registrations for the ornamental industry, especially the products deemed safer to humans and the environment. He says “I am interested in the plant, and I am interested in the microscopic world around the plant.”

German Barahona

CID Irrigation Designer/Sales and Ag-Tech Integrator, Southern Irrigation

READ BIO

German Barahona

CID Irrigation Designer/Sales and Ag-Tech Integrator, Southern Irrigation

German is a Chilean native who earned his bachelor’s in agricultural engineering from University of Concepcion and received his irrigation designer certification from IIABC. His experience in the B.C. irrigation and water products industry stemmed from been actively involved with the AG market since 2008, where he learned about its needs and different challenges and has been an active participant of the irrigation development and AG technology adoption in B.C. this past 20 years. Currently, he is employed with Southern Irrigation at the Oliver branch and works closely with growers from Vancouver Island to the Kootenay area.

Gary Secor

Professor of Plant Pathology, Potato Specialist, North Dakota State University

READ BIO

Gary Secor

Professor of Plant Pathology, Potato Specialist, North Dakota State University

Gary Secor is a Professor of Plant Pathology at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota in the USA. Secor is a native of Bozeman, MT and has a BS and MS degree from Montana State University, and a PhD from the University of California at Davis. He began his potato career in Montana as director of the of the first potato virus testing lab in the US, and has worked with numerous other potato diseases during his 46 year career at NDSU, concentrating on disease discovery, diagnosis, management and grower education. He works closely with the potato breeding program at NDSU and has been interim potato breeder. Secor also works with sugar beet diseases, including fungicide resistance and management of Cercospora leaf spot and Fusarium wilt. He teaches classes, has graduate students, enjoys lake time and international travel and work, and is the recipient of numerous honors.

Mark Sweeney

Consulting Horticulturalist

READ BIO

Mark Sweeney

Consulting Horticulturalist

Sarah Stewart

Extension and Events Coordinator, Organic BC

READ BIO

Sarah Stewart

Extension and Events Coordinator, Organic BC

Sarah Stewart is the Extension and Events Coordinator for Organic BC, where she fosters connections within the farming community, through knowledge transfer and extension activities. With 15 years of experience as co-owner of a mixed vegetable farm in Pemberton, BC, she brings a hands-on understanding of the agricultural landscape.

Peter Ellis

Laboratory Director, Phyto Diagnostics Company Ltd.

READ BIO

Peter Ellis

Laboratory Director, Phyto Diagnostics Company Ltd.

Dr. Peter Ellis is the Laboratory Director of Phyto Diagnostics Company Limited and has over 40 years of experience working in plant pathology. He first worked as a diagnostician in the Plant Clinic with BCMAFF, then as a plant pathologist with Alberta Agriculture in the Peace River Region. Peter completed his Ph.D. in plant virology at the University of British Columbia and worked as a research scientist with the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. His research focus was on virus diseases of potato. When the Vancouver Research Station closed in 1996, Peter founded Phyto Diagnostics Company Limited to provide diagnostic testing services for seed potato growers in Western Canada. The company has expanded to provide diagnostic testing services for small fruit, tree fruit, grapevine, hops, greenhouse vegetables, ornamentals, and field crops.

Katie Goldenhar

Plant Pathologist, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food

READ BIO

Katie Goldenhar

Plant Pathologist, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Katie Goldenhar is a plant pathologist with the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food based in Kelowna. She works to strengthen the provinces agriculture sectors through education and applied research on improved disease identification and management. Previously, she worked at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribuisness as a horticulture plant pathologist. Ms. Goldenhar obtained her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Guelph and her Master of Science in Plant Pathology from Michigan State University.

Mark Lefsrud

Associate Professor, McGill University

READ BIO

Mark Lefsrud

Associate Professor, McGill University

Dr. Lefsrud is an Associate Professor at McGill University and leads the Biomass Production Laboratory. His education is a B.Sc. (USask) and M.Sc. (Rutgers) in Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering and a Ph.D. (UTenn) in Plant Physiology giving him a background in agriculture, biology, and engineering. The laboratory's primary goal is the improvement of plants for human consumption (food security), post harvest processing, and energy. Within the focus of food security, he is investigating methods for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and indoor plant environments (IPE) including research for: medicinal cannabis, northern greenhouse design, tropical greenhouse design, reduced gravity plant growth systems, greenhouse heating using wood pellets (with direct combustion and gasification), HVAC design and control, plant monitoring/machine vision, light emitting diodes, plant substrate design, nutrient monitoring and control, and technologies for improving vertical farming.

Dr. David Bryla

Research Horticulturalist, United States Department of Agriculture

READ BIO

Dr. David Bryla

Research Horticulturalist, United States Department of Agriculture

Dr. David Bryla is a research horticulturist with the USDA ARS Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Research Unit in Corvallis, Oregon, USA. He completed his PhD in Plant Biology at the University of California, Davis in 1994 and began working for the USDA in 1999. He is recognized internationally for his research on tree fruit, vegetables, and berry crops. His primary research goals are to increase production and quality of these crops while promoting efficient use of fertilizers and irrigation water. Currents projects in his lab include identifying methods to increase fruit calcium in berry crops, developing drought-resistant irrigation strategies, addressing heat damage in berries through irrigation and other horticultural technologies, exploring the benefits of soil amendments such as humic acids and biochar, and assessing the practicality of utilizing nutrient water recovered from waste to fertigate blueberries and other crops in soilless media.

Dr. Lisa Wasko DeVetter

Associate Professor, Small Fruit Horticulture, Washington State University

READ BIO

Dr. Lisa Wasko DeVetter

Associate Professor, Small Fruit Horticulture, Washington State University

Lisa Wasko DeVetter is an Associate Professor of Small Fruit Horticulture and is based at the Washington State University Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research & Extension. Her program focus is maximizing productivity, fruit quality, and on-farm efficiencies, while ensuring the health of adjacent natural resources critical for small fruit crop production in the Pacific Northwest. Primary research areas include optimizing pollination services in small fruit crops, improved end-of-life management of agricultural plastics used in small fruit crop production, abiotic stress tolerance, machine harvesting technologies, and nutrient management.

Ben Klootwyk

Account Manager, Pacific Coast Fruit Products

READ BIO

Ben Klootwyk

Account Manager, Pacific Coast Fruit Products

Ben Klootwyk is an Account Manager with Pacific Coast Fruit Products, a fruit processing company located in Abbotsford, BC.

Dr. Mark Johnson

Professor, and Canada Research Chair in Ecohydrology, University of British Columbia

READ BIO

Dr. Mark Johnson

Professor, and Canada Research Chair in Ecohydrology, University of British Columbia

Dr. Mark Johnson is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Ecohydrology at the University of British Columbia, where he leads cutting-edge research on agricultural water management. With a focus on soil-water dynamics and evapotranspiration, his work bridges science and practice, providing actionable insights for optimizing water use in agricultural environments. Dr. Johnson is also a founder and Chief Science Officer of Ensemble Scientific Inc., a company pioneering smart, autonomous irrigation systems. By integrating real-time sensors, advanced forecasting, and user-friendly tools, his innovations are helping growers make efficient and informed irrigation decisions, conserving water while boosting productivity.

Dr. Chris Bodnar

Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley, and Co-owner and Farmer, Close to Home Organics

READ BIO

Dr. Chris Bodnar

Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley, and Co-owner and Farmer, Close to Home Organics

Chris Bodnar is an Assistant Professor in the University of Fraser Valley's Agriculture Program, specializing in Agribusiness. His research areas include co-operative business models, and production economics for climate-resilient crops. Chris has 18 years experience as a vegetable farmer in Abbotsford BC. He is a Limited License Agrologist; his agrology consulting work focused on supporting farms in business planning through developing business strategy and production economics. He is an Appeal Board Member with Agriculture Canada’s Farm Debt Mediation Service. Previously, Chris taught the Business and Agriculture course in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Sustainable Agriculture Program. He also worked with Young Agrarians to develop their Business Mentorship Network and a series of financial literacy modules for their new entrant support programs.

Bryan Wattie

Director of Agritech Adoption, Innovate BC

READ BIO

Bryan Wattie

Director of Agritech Adoption, Innovate BC

Bryan Wattie is the Director of Agritech Adoption at Innovate BC. Innovate BC is a crown corporation focused on supporting innovative technology adoption and development in British Columbia. Bryan got his start in agriculture at young age, picking potatoes in New Brunswick, where his father ran a potato seed farm and worked as an agrologist. Bryan has worked on a variety of farms across Canada (organic field vegetable, greenhouses, conventional fruit and veg, ranching, and cash crop operations). He obtained his Masters and Bachelors in Bioresource Engineering at McGill University. Over the past decade he has worked for different Canadian agtech start-ups and wanted to leverage that experience to supporting the adoption of new technologies on BC Farms through the on-farm Technology Adoption Program is a competitive program which provides cost-shared non repayable funding (grants) to successful applicant to adopt new and innovative technology for their operations.

Andrew Budgell

Owner Operator, Laughing Crow Organics

READ BIO

Andrew Budgell

Owner Operator, Laughing Crow Organics

Andrew Budgell and Kerry McCann have co-owned and operated Laughing Crow Organic vegetable farm in Pemberton BC for over 10 years. Andrew Budgell loves to farm and weeds fear him. Laughing Crow Farm grows and sells vegetables for market/CSA and also operates a sunflower maze and a pick-your-own pumpkin patch.

Raj Hayre

Randhawa Farms / Perpetual Vegetable Company

READ BIO

Raj Hayre

Randhawa Farms / Perpetual Vegetable Company

<p>Raj Hayre, Director of Special Projects, Randhawa Farms.</p>

Sean O'Connor

CEO, 4ag Robotics

READ BIO

Sean O'Connor

CEO, 4ag Robotics

Bruce Naka

Irrigation Consultant, Sound Water Advise

READ BIO

Bruce Naka

Irrigation Consultant, Sound Water Advise

Bruce has been involved in irrigation design & implementation for over 30 years. His experience covers all facets of irrigation systems from sports fields & golf courses to large scale agricultural systems. Bruce is certified by the Irrigation Industry Association of BC (IABC) in Commercial Turf Sprinkler, Agriculture Sprinkler & Drip Irrigation, he is also a certified Irrigation Scheduler. Naka has been involved in assistance in helping well owners in their application for ground water licensing as is now required under the Water Sustainability Act. In addition to his work experiences Bruce has & is involved in multiple associated organizations. Bruce was on the North Okanagan Drought Response Committee, which after wild Fires of 2003 was established to develop a plan of attack to potential drought situations in the North Okanagan. Following this commitment Bruce continued on to become a member of the North Okanagan Agricultural Advisory Board. In 2016 Bruce became a member of the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council (OWSC) representing the IABC, where he became co-chairman of a sub-committee on Irrigation Management. Simultaneous to his commitments to the OWSC, Bruce served as president of the IIABC for the 2017-18 term. In 2015 Bruce established an irrigation Consulting company focused on efficiency in irrigation design & system planning.

Rupee Besla

Manager of Business Development in the Lower Mainland, FCC

READ BIO

Rupee Besla

Manager of Business Development in the Lower Mainland, FCC

Rupee Besla is a dedicated professional with over a decade of experience at Farm Credit Canada, where he currently works as a Manager of Business Development supporting agricultural producers in the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan. With a profound passion for agriculture and finance, Rupee is committed to helping farmers thrive by providing tailored financial solutions and resources. His expertise in the industry, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges faced by producers, enables him to foster meaningful relationships and drive positive outcomes. Through his work, he continually strives to empower producers, ensuring their success and the vitality of the agricultural sector as a whole.

Richard Stup

Senior Extension Association, Cornell University

READ BIO

Richard Stup

Senior Extension Association, Cornell University

Dr. Richard Stup leads the Agricultural Workforce Development program at Cornell University. He teaches leadership and management, and conducts research into labor challenges facing the industry. His focus is on helping agricultural employers avoid labor risks, create engaged employee teams, and operate profitably. Cornell Ag Workforce Development focuses on helping employers with regulatory compliance, developing managers and supervisors, employee housing management, and developing the future farm workforce. Before joining Cornell, Rich practiced as an organization development consultant, served as a senior leader in Farm Credit, was an extension specialist with Penn State, and worked in the feed industry. He earned his doctorate from Penn State in the field of Workforce Education and Development, including research into human resource management and employee organizational commitment. Little Known Fact… Rich once did a TED-style talk at a national Farm Credit conference called: “Stoking a Passion for Agriculture in Employees Who Weren’t Farm Raised.” It included a short singing riff set to the tune of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.”

Jack Rozendaal

Executive Vice President, DeVry Greenhouses

READ BIO

Jack Rozendaal

Executive Vice President, DeVry Greenhouses

Jack Rozendaal is dedicated to helping the horticulture industry grow — literally and figuratively. With over 26 years of experience in greenhouses and nurseries, he has become a respected leader in the field. Jack has held various roles at DeVry Greenhouses, focusing on building strong partnerships with growers and major chain retailers across North America. As Executive Vice President, he leads a talented team dedicated to inspiring growth, driving innovation, and ensuring long-term sustainability in the industry.

Michel Benoit

CEO, United Flower Growers Cooperative Association

READ BIO

Michel Benoit

CEO, United Flower Growers Cooperative Association

Michel Benoit is currently the CEO for the United Flower Growers Cooperative Association. He has held this position since 2022. Prior to this, Michel was General manager of the BC Turkey Marketing Board for 15 years. Previous Horticultural experience includes two General Manager’s roles. One in a Tomato Greenhouse (4 years) and also in a large Perennial Nursery (5 years). Michel has obtained an MBA from Simon Fraser University as well as a B.Sc. (Agriculture) form McGill University. Michel has been involved with some of the largest Cooperative Associations in BC. Namely the Prince Rupert Fishermen’s Co-operative, BC Hot House, Lilydale and now UFGCA. Michel had anticipated traveling around the world when he finished his degree from McGill in 1987 but his trip was cut short when he fell in love with British Columbia and he settled in for good. Michel is happily married with two adult children and he makes his home in the beautiful community of Fort Langley.

Leanne Johnson

President & CEO, Gardenworks

READ BIO

Leanne Johnson

President & CEO, Gardenworks

Leanne is unapologetic about her passion for connecting people to the natural world through gardening. Leanne leads British Columbia’s largest Retail Garden Centre Company with 10 locations across the lower mainland, Vancouver Island and the South Okanagan. Leanne believes in giving back and has served three terms as Retail Chair of the BC Landscape & Nursery Association and currently acts as Vice Chair of Garden Centres Canada. Leanne also Chaired the 2024 International Garden Centre Congress where 170 garden centre delegates from 19 countries met for 6 days this summer in Quebec City and Montreal. The Congress included inspired visits to Quebec’s top retail garden centres, informative lectures, international panel discussions as well as cultural experiences. After obtaining her Commerce degree from UBC, and then her accounting designation, Leanne left KPMG after 10 remarkable years. She switched gears from the accounting world to a life obsessed with growing Gardenworks and inspiring people to cultivate JOY in their home, garden and community so that together we create a life of beauty and balance!

Wendy Hoashi-Erhardt

Director of Small Fruit Plant Breeding, Washington State University

READ BIO

Wendy Hoashi-Erhardt

Director of Small Fruit Plant Breeding, Washington State University

Wendy Hoashi-Erhardt directs the Small Fruit Plant Breeding program and cultivar development for red raspberry in the Pacific Northwest, with emphasis on processing traits of machine harvestability, fruit quality, and disease resistance. She also researches other traits of interest in strawberry and raspberry genotypes. In the last 20 years, she has collaborated in the release of several cultivars of raspberry and strawberry and contributed to studies of day-neutral strawberries for fresh market use, and root rot and nematode resistance in raspberry.

James Bergen

Manager, Bergen Farms

READ BIO

James Bergen

Manager, Bergen Farms

James Bergen is a 3rd generation berry farmer. James manages Bergen Farms, a family run farm that specializes in growing and harvesting berries destined for the fresh market. James also manages Triple Crown Packers; an IQF berry processing facility with sales through both retail and wholesale channels. James is the chair of the BC Raspberry Industry Development Council. When not at the farm you can find James most nights at an ice rink coaching both his son’s hockey teams.

Mark Ledebuhr

Principal Consultant, Application Insight, LLC

READ BIO

Mark Ledebuhr

Principal Consultant, Application Insight, LLC

Mark Ledebuhr is an innovator, entrepreneur, and co-author of Airblast 101: Your Guide to Effective and Efficient Spraying. With over 25 years of experience in spray application, he has led high-impact projects across the globe, from innovative orchard and vineyard sprayer technologies such as Proptec™ sprayers, to developing the leading technology for evaluating drone spray swaths. As Principal Consultant at Application Insight LLC, Mark partners with universities, R&D teams, and growers to tackle real-world spray application challenges— blending science, creativity, and real-world experience. Mark is driven by his passion for sustainable, efficient, and pragmatic solutions in agriculture. He believes strongly that empowered, informed people do great things— especially when it comes to spray application! He strives to inform and empower people to be better stewards, not only of their crops and the chemicals they use to grow them, but also the land, air, and water we all share.

Renee Prasad

Associate Professor and Department Head, University of the Fraser Valley

READ BIO

Renee Prasad

Associate Professor and Department Head, University of the Fraser Valley

<p>Renee Prasad is an Associate Prof at UFV in the Agriculture Dept. She teaches courses in pest management and agroecology. Her research interests are also in the areas of pest management and agroecology with a focus on field vegetables and cranberries.</p>

Oleg Daugovish

Strawberry and Vegetable Crop Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension - Ventura

READ BIO

Oleg Daugovish

Strawberry and Vegetable Crop Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension - Ventura

Dr. Oleg Daugovish has been a University of California Farm Advisor since 2001. His research and extension program focuses on pest management and environmental quality of production of strawberry and vegetable crops in Ventura County. Over the years he has worked on most areas of crop production and with many serious pest management challenges. Dr. Daugovish graduate and undergraduate training is in crop production, plant science, agronomy and weed science. His initial agricultural education and work was in Latvia and continued in Sweden, Minnesota , Florida, Nebraska , Idaho and finally in California where he currently resides, works, and plays.

John Hart

Territory Manager, Stokes Seeds, Vancouver B.C.

READ BIO

John Hart

Territory Manager, Stokes Seeds, Vancouver B.C.

John Hart assumed the role of Territory Manager for British Columbia for Stokes Seeds in August of 2024. He has been involved in vegetable seed commerce, research, and variety development in and out of British Columbia since 2004. He is passionate about vegetable varieties and is deeply honoured to serve the food producing farmers of British Columbia.

Rebecca Morse

Product Manager, West Coast Seed Company, Delta B.C.

READ BIO

Rebecca Morse

Product Manager, West Coast Seed Company, Delta B.C.

Rebecca Morse has been cultivating her passion for agriculture since 1999, when she launched and operated a small organic vegetable farm for 15 years. A seasonal job with a seed company in 2010 evolved into a career as she discovered her passion for product development, managing vegetable and flower variety trials and visiting regional trials across North America. Today, as Product Manager at West Coast Seed Company, Rebecca brings over two decades of experience to the table, identifying exceptional new cultivars and high performing standards. Her work reflects her commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture and empowering growers with tools for success.

Tim Dumas

Executive Strategy Coach, Servus Leadership Inc., Business Coaching

READ BIO

Tim Dumas

Executive Strategy Coach, Servus Leadership Inc., Business Coaching

Executive Strategic Coach by Day! High School Football Coach by Night! Striving for greatness by bringing out the greatness in others always! As a business owner and certified coach, Tim works with organizations in all stages of their growth process. His passion lies in working with executive teams to empower their people through scalable systems and strategy to grow their business; all while living a rewarding life. With his wife, Stephanie, and their six children, Tim resides just outside of Vancouver, in Tsawwassen, BC.

Cara McCreary

Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

READ BIO

Cara McCreary

Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

Cara McCreary is the Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and is working out of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Harrow Research & Development Centre. Cara joined the ministry in January 2015 from a position as a Research Associate in the Edible Bean Program at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. Prior to joining the University of Guelph, Cara was the Acting Field Crop Entomologist at OMAFRA. She also has several years of experience as a greenhouse scout and supervisor, and as a horticultural advisor. Cara has a Master of Science in Environmental Biology from the University of Guelph, a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Administration from the University of Windsor, and an Associate Diploma in Horticulture from the University of Guelph. During her master’s degree, she studied the life cycle, temperature-dependent development and economic impact of an agricultural pest, the bean leaf beetle. In her current role with the ministry, Cara has worked extensively on emerging pest issues, such as pepper weevil and tomato brown rugose fruit virus. Pest management has been her focus and passion through both work experience and education.

Steve Mantle

Founder and CEO, Innov8.ag

READ BIO

Steve Mantle

Founder and CEO, Innov8.ag

Steve Mantle is founder and CEO of innov8.ag, a Washington State, USA-based ag data insights company focused on ‘empowering growers with data’. innov8.ag’s focus on bringing farm geospatial data layers ‘alive’ using emerging data collection technologies are showcased in the Smart Orchard with Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, BerrySmart Fields with US Highbush Blueberry Council, and commercially - with growers of both permanent & row crops across the United States. Prior to launching into the ag data venture, Steve spent almost 20 years in leadership roles in tech companies including Microsoft headquarters. When at home in Walla Walla, WA, Steve enjoys time with his wife and children, skiing, hiking, and geeking out on and in farms.

Harry Sidhu

Nursery Manager, Sidhu Growers

READ BIO

Harry Sidhu

Nursery Manager, Sidhu Growers

Harry Sidhu is a Nursery Manager at Sidhu Growers, a role in which he leverages over 20 years of experience working on his family's commercial blueberry farm and nursery. With extensive knowledge in blueberry production, Harry plays a central role in supporting producers by offering guidance on various aspects of blueberry cultivation. His expertise helps optimize production techniques and support the success of growers. His hands-on experience and deep understanding of the industry make him an essential resource for improving blueberry growing practices.

Paul Pryce

Executive Director, BC Blueberry Council

READ BIO

Paul Pryce

Executive Director, BC Blueberry Council

Paul Pryce is the new Executive Director of BC Blueberry Council. Previously, he served as BC Agriculture Council’s first Director of Policy and has held a variety of roles in key overseas markets for blueberries, such as Counsellor (Commercial) at the Embassy of Canada to Japan. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Calgary and a Master of Arts in International Relations from Tallinn University.

Rick de Jong

International Business Development Manager, Agro-K

READ BIO

Rick de Jong

International Business Development Manager, Agro-K

Rick graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada in 1990. Over his career Rick has worked in crop nutrition at the regional, national and international levels dealing with a range of crops including tree fruits, small fruits, and various row crops. He has been involved in fertilizer manufacturing, distribution, research, and crop consulting. Rick is a registered Technical Agrologist with the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists. Presently, Rick is the International Business Development Manager for Agro-K Corporation based out of West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.

Jesse Way

Co-Owner, Milky Way Farm

READ BIO

Jesse Way

Co-Owner, Milky Way Farm

Jesse Way co-owns Milky Way Farm with his partner Meghan Brandenburg. Milky Way Farm is an ecologically focused small-scale mixed vegetable farm in Oxford County, Ontario. As members of the Ecological Farmer’s Association of Ontario (EFAO)’s Farmer Led Research Program, Jesse has been investigating the contribution and influence of cover crops on plant available nitrogen.

Siva Sabaratnam

BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food

READ BIO

Siva Sabaratnam

BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food

<p>Siva has been working as a Plant Pathologist for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food since 2004. He graduated from the Western University (formally University of Western Ontario) with a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and, thereafter, completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Iowa State University. At the Ministry, his core responsibilities are addressing critical plant diseases, understanding disease epidemiology, developing disease management strategies, and providing education and advice to farmers on disease prevention and management. As part of his duties, he also address the threat from regulated/quarantine plant pathogens under the Provincial Plant Protection Act. Siva takes pleasure in mentoring young graduate students and recent graduates in perusing their careers in Plant Health</p>

Jens Ehlers

Scientific Sales Advisor and Hygiene Expert for Greenhouses, Menno Chemie Vertrieb GMBH, Germany

READ BIO

Jens Ehlers

Scientific Sales Advisor and Hygiene Expert for Greenhouses, Menno Chemie Vertrieb GMBH, Germany

Jens Ehlers is a guest scientist at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and a scientific sales advisor at MENNO Chemie, who has been working on the control of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) as part of his PhD time. In this research, innovative cleaning and disinfection concepts were developed to improve the control of stable pathogens such as ToBRFV, CGMMV or bacterial and fungal pathogens in the future. The studies were carried out with a very practical approach in order to present reliable results to producers.

George Kaufman

Agronomist, AgriCare Inc.

READ BIO

George Kaufman

Agronomist, AgriCare Inc.

Matthew Carr

Lead Agrologist, Cultivate Horticulture

READ BIO

Matthew Carr

Lead Agrologist, Cultivate Horticulture

Lead agrologist, Matthew Carr A.Ag., specializes in production horticulture focusing on organic and soil-health based systems. With the backing of two Prairie Horticulture Certificates and a Bachelor of Science major in Horticulture and minor in Soil Science from the University of Saskatchewan (2019), and the development of his own successful farm business, he is resource of practical and theoretical knowledge combining modern and traditional practices. With his invested interest in agriculture through his farm, he understands and has experienced learning the tough skills of growing food and entrepreneurship.

Sponsored By:

TerraLink

Syngenta

Nature's Touch

Silver Valley Farm

Delta WaterTec

Koppert

Belchim

Genome BC

Presented By:

 

custom image

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact us at lmhc@pacegroup.com