How to Educate Your Customers, Your Team, and Yourself on Biosolutions
February 7, 2023 In a still-evolving field such as greenhouse biologicals and biostimulants, getting advice and insights from a broad range of perspectives can be critical. During the Biosolutions Conference and Expo in late February, interested growers and other attendees will have plenty of chances to expand their knowledge, thanks to experiences shared by their peers from across the industry.
Here’s a closer look at what to expect from three discussion-focused topics on the agenda.
How to Educate Buyers and Consumers About Biologicals
In many production systems, growers and crop care professionals try their best to incorporate new technologies to produce crops in an ecologically sound way. Although biological solutions and integrated pest management strategies are widely used, the story isn’t reaching customers and consumers. Consumer education can have a significant influence on sustainable food production.
A grower, industry partner, and retailer from the front lines offer insight on sustainable food production and consumer attitudes. Panelists include:
- Matt Foertmeyer, Head Grower, Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse
- Graham Burt-Papatone, Owner, Golden West Ag Services
- Surendra Dara, Professor and Director, North Willamette Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University
- Michael Dimock, Vice President, Field Development, Certis Biologicals
- Jay Gearheard, Account Manager, CNI
The Challenge of Bioproducts with Multiple Functions
Traditional chemistries fall neatly into specific categories — insecticides are insecticides and fertilizers are fertilizers. Biological products involve living organisms that did not get that memo. Find out from industry insiders how their companies handle regulations and research, and how that impacts what they can and cannot claim.
- Michael Hull, Technical Services Manager, Kemin Crop Technologies
- Drew Wolter, Technical Development Manager- BSIN, UPL Ltd.
How to Use Biostimulants to Reduce Fertilizer Use
Fertilizer prices remain very high and represent a much larger expense for growers than they have in the past. There are increasing concerns not only about fertilizer affordability, but about availability as well. Reducing the use of fertilizers seems prudent, but can this be done while maintaining crop quality and meeting tight scheduling windows? We are hearing more about biostimulants and how they can promote plant growth, but can fertilizer levels really be reduced? There is a lot more we need to learn about how different biostimulants work and how they are affected by other production inputs and greenhouse environmental conditions, but the short answer is yes.
- Michelle Jones, Professor Horticulture and Crop Science Dept., The Ohio State University
- Noel Garcia, Chief Operating Officer, TPS Lab
Find the complete agenda and register at BiosolutionsConference.com.
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