Josh is the vineyard manager at Cave Spring Vineyard, Beamsville, Ontario with a focus on premium and sustainable vineyard management practices. He has previous vineyard management experience with several leading Ontario wineries and a graduate of the Winery and Viticulture Technician program at Niagara College.

Grape Session
Thursday 3:30 pm, Room 207
Lessons Learned: Under Vine Cover Crops in Ontario

Beatrice is the small fruit germplasm development scientist at the AAFC Kentville Research and Development Centre. Her program focuses on breeding strawberries, raspberries and other small fruits for production in Canada. Dr. Amyotte co-leads the Canadian Berry Trial Network, an industry-funded project which coordinates advanced testing of strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry varieties in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Along with industry-focused research, Dr. Amyotte conducts pre-breeding activities including genetics studies and germplasm development.

Berry Session
Thursday 10:00 am, Ballroom B
Berry Variety Trials and Breeding Updates From AAFC
This presentation will discuss recent advances and new updates from the AAFC Small Fruit Germplasm Development Program led by Dr. Beatrice Amyotte in Kentville, Nova Scotia. The talk will focus on recent results from multi-location variety trials of strawberry, raspberry, and highbush blueberry conducted by the Canadian Berry Trial Network. Variety yields and quality attributes will be compared between locations and years to highlight potential cultivars with improved adaptation to climate conditions in Ontario and other regions. Dr. Amyotte will also discuss some recent progress and new objectives for strawberry and raspberry breeding, including the use of sensory panels and genetic markers to support the development of new high quality resilient varieties for Canadian growers and consumers.

Melanie is deeply immersed in the world of farmers’ markets, boasting over a decade of experience in market management in Ottawa and beyond. Her passion lies in collaborating with producers and fostering community engagement with local artisans and makers. Melanie comes equipped with a background in environmental studies, with a concentration on local food systems and food security. She is also a board member with The Ottawa Festivals Network as well as Farmers Markets Ontario–as the eastern Ontario representative.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Ballroom A
FMO Marketing & Promotion – Workshop Session #1/What Can FMO Do for You?

Kate has worked at the Glynwood Center for Food and Farming since spring 2019. As Program Manager, Kate organizes the Cider Project and the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition as well as working closely with farmer training and food equity programs such as the Hudson Valley Apprenticeship, CSA is a SNAP, and the Food Sovereignty Fund. In helping build and maintain Glynwood's networks of farmers, chefs, cider makers, and other food system actors, Kate works with the aim of establishing a more cohesive, equitable and robust Hudson Valley. Before coming to Glynwood, Kate worked as an environmental science educator in New York city through the organization Christodora. She additionally did freelance research for the Open Space Institute and for the Overbrook Foundation on issues surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion in environmental programming and sustainability in the cattle industry. Kate graduated from Yale in 2018 with a degree in Environmental Studies. Her work for the Yale Sustainable Food Program gave her experience in event planning, organic farming, food justice, and outdoor education. Originally from Iowa, Kate sees sustainable agriculture as an imperative initiative to protect the environment and local farming communities.

Oenology & Cider Session
Wednesday 11:00 am Room 207
The Cider Project: Broadening Opportunities for New York’s Growers and Cider Makers
This presentation will share the successes and lessons learned from 15 years of Glynwood's Cider Project. Our Cider Project has broadened opportunities for New York’s apple growers and cider makers, increasing the production, popularity, and value of cider throughout the region and the state.

Bluewater Lavender Farm began in 2021 when Christine, with her partner Mass, and their young son, moved from the big city and found their dream property just on the edge of Wiarton, Ontario. Their plan was to create a sustainable lavender farm. They moved into their new home in May and planted their first 1,200 English plants in June. These plants grew well in the sandy soil and a climate moderated by Lake Huron and Georgian Bay on all sides. The next year they planted more than 700 French plants, which also outperformed throughout the summer and following winter. In the summer of 2023 Christine and Mass lovingly restored a small barn on the property to their cute, but rustic, farm store. Onsite they distill their own essential oil and handmake more than 15 products. They offer on-farm experiences such as tours and yoga. In summer 2024 they launched a highly successful Lavender Festival at Bluewater Park in Wiarton. The festival featured a vendor market, live music, yoga and presentations. The festival was featured on local radio, sponsored by numerous local businesses and attracted hundreds of tourists over two days. This will be an annual festival and Christine and Mass have big plans for 2025 and beyond. Supporting their dream, Christine and Mass are both successful leaders in the insurance industry. Christine is also the Education Chair for the Ontario Lavender Association.

Lavender Session
Wednesday 2:30 pm, Room 205
Panel on Festivals and Events
Christine will discuss the lessons learned in planning, organizing and hosting the first successful Lavender Festival in Wiarton, Ontario. She will provide guidance on running one yourself, including tips and tricks, how to build excitement, items that need thoughtful consideration, timelines, and ultimately creating a successful event.

Joe is the Co-Founder, Creative Director, and CEO of ZenGenius, Inc., a global visual merchandising and event design agency headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. With over 30 years of expertise, Joe is a visionary leader in the retail and event design industries. Known for his innovative approach to the customer journey, he inspires and educates audiences worldwide as a dynamic public speaker. Joe has contributed to multiple publications, authored The Art of Visual Merchandising: Short North, and founded the Iron Merchant Challenge, an interactive retail design competition featured at the International Retail Design Conference. His dedication extends to his roles as President of the PAVE Global board, a member of the VMSD Editorial Advisory Board, and advisor to Columbus College of Art and Design’s Master of Retail Studies program. Celebrating ZenGenius’ 25th year, Joe remains passionate about advancing the art and impact of visual merchandising and experience design.

Agritourism Ontario Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Ballroom D
Sensory Merchandising: Connecting with Customers One Sense at a Time
Sensory merchandising focuses on using the five senses to connect the dots between a store and a customer’s emotional response. Creating a space where customers feel welcome and comfortable is directly linked to their sensory experience, which serves as a gateway to the brain’s processing centers. Research into brain science reveals how our senses—sight, taste, smell, touch, and sound—impact our emotions and decision-making processes. By understanding these connections, brands can craft experiences that resonate more deeply with their customers. What does your brand look, taste, smell, feel and sound like? These sensory elements play a crucial role in shaping how customers perceive and interact with your brand and products. Join the ZenGenius team, Joe Baer and Meg Lefeld, as they share some of the industry's standout Sensory Merchandising experiences. This fun and engaging session will help you gain a better understanding and provide inspiration on how you can stimulate your customers' senses.

Nicole is a Technology Transfer Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA). As the project lead for the Ontario Crop Protection Hub and CropIPM, she is driving the development of innovative digital tools that help deliver pest management information to Ontario's agriculture sector. Passionate about making a tangible impact, Nicole is committed to enhancing these digital tools by prioritizing user needs and practical solutions. Nicole holds a PhD in plant physiology from the University of Guelph, combining scientific expertise with a dedication to advancing Ontario’s agricultural sector.

Enhancing the Crop Hub & CropIPM: Insights and Feedback Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Room 203
Crop Hub and CropIPM Update: Demo of New Features
Join us for an interactive session focused on refining and enhancing the Crop Hub and CropIPM platforms. This feedback-driven discussion invites users to share insights, experiences, and suggestions that will guide future developments. Together with the team from OMAFA, we’ll explore how these platforms can better support your needs and address emerging challenges. Your input is invaluable in shaping these tools!

Dr. Besançon is an Associate Professor and Extension Weed Science Specialist for Specialty Crops at the P.E. Marucci Research and Extension Center, Rutgers University. His research focuses on developing Integrated Weed Management strategies for vegetable and small fruit cropping systems. Collaborating with Northeast and Mid-Atlantic weed scientists, Dr. Besançon explores the integration of cover crops in plasticulture tomato and cucumber production systems. His work also includes evaluating red clover as a living mulch in cole crops and assessing goosegrass as a potential row middle sod cover in New Jersey highbush blueberry fields. In partnership with Dr. Sosnoskie from Cornell University, Dr. Besançon investigates innovative weed management technologies, including optically guided sprayers for perennial crops, autonomous seeding and weeding robots for vegetables, and the use of laser weeding systems.

Berries Session
Wednesday 10:00 am, Ballroom B
Optically Targeted Herbicide Application in Highbush Blueberry
Herbicides are the primary method for managing weeds in highbush blueberry. However, rising concerns about herbicide resistance, worker safety, crop health, and evolving regulations have fueled interest in alternative weed management strategies. Optically-guided spray systems hold promise for reducing herbicide use, minimizing crop damage, and expanding control options in perennial crops. This presentation will discuss New Jersey trials evaluating targeted herbicide applications using the WEED-IT™ system for weed control and crop impact.
Tender Fruit Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Room 206
Optically Targeted Herbicide Application in Tender Fruit
Weeds pose a major challenge to fruit crops, competing with plants, disrupting management practices, and reducing harvest efficiency. Optically-guided spray systems offer potential benefits by reducing herbicide use, minimizing crop damage, and expanding weed control options in perennial crops. This presentation will highlight trials conducted in New York and New Jersey to assess the effectiveness of targeted herbicide applications using the WEED-IT™ system for weed control, sucker management, and crop performance in grapes.

Originally from Southwest Michigan, Brett is currently an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist of Peach Entomology at the University of Georgia and Clemson University. As such, he is the regional peach entomologist for Georgia and South Carolina with additional responsibilities for a variety of other fruits, including apples and grapes. The research in his lab focuses on integrating insect behavior and ecology to more effectively and sustainably manage insect pests. Through addressing producer needs, his work highlights the importance of IPM and the support of beneficial insects for the sustainability of Southeastern fruit production.

Tender Fruit Session
Wednesday 10:00 am, Room 206
Advances in Pest Management of Scale Insects in Tree Fruit
This presentation will cover current and future management options for scale insects in tree fruit with an emphasis of San Jose scale and oystershell scale.

Gerbe is the orchard manager at their family farm in Thornbury ON. Blue Mountain Fruit Company grows, stores, and packs apples from other growers as well as their own that are sold to retailers in Canada and the US. With a focus on continuous improvement, Gerbe is always looking for innovative ways to continuously grow high quality and high yielding crops.

Grower Experiences with Robotics & Technology Session
Thursday 10:00 am, Room 203
Vivid Machines in Practice: A Grower’s Experience

A native Aussie, Marc pursued a career in Forensic Science before being roped back into the wine industry while completing his PhD in wine chemistry. Following stints working in cellars and research institutes around the world including back home in Australia, Germany, France and South Africa, Marc eventually landed in Canada in 2004 to begin his adventures in the winemaking world of Niagara, starting as a cellar rat at Pillitteri Estates Winery. Being elevated to Winemaster at Pillitteri Estates in 2006, Marc focused on blended white and red wines, sur-lie inox Chardonnay, bold Bordeaux reds and of course Icewines. Marc headed back home in 2011 before returning to Niagara-on-the-Lake, taking on the role as Head Winemaker at Strewn Winery which he held for 12 years. In 2024, Marc started at Arterra Wines Canada, based in Niagara Falls, where he is currently the VQA Red Winemaker.

Oenology & Cider
Wednesday 10:00 am, Room 207
There’s No Surefire Way – Challenges Faced as a Niagara Winemaker
Winemaking in the Niagara region is always a challenge, especially considering the vast vintage to vintage variations experienced throughout the years. While we don’t often find a clear-cut answer, we always have to find way through to the end of crush. During this presentation I will discuss some of the recent fermentation trials and tribulations faced as a winemaker, and chat about some of our hits and misses we have tried to overcome these issues.

Amelia is the Bilingual Engagement Manager with Agriculture Wellness Ontario (AgWO) with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Ontario Division. Amelia has a background supporting adults with disabilities and various accessibility needs. She has a passion for supporting others and advocating for mental health. She has recently transitioned into the agricultural field of work and comes from a 4-generation family of potato farmers in New Brunswick.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Thursday 10:30 am, Ballroom A
An Introduction to Mental Health in Agriculture
Our presentation will cover stats about mental health in farming across Canada, what is mental health vs. mental illness, how to self-care on the farm and why it’s important, and the free resources available through Agriculture Wellness Ontario.

Inderjot is currently a research associate in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ontario. Her research focuses on understanding impacts of sustainable land management practices, such as cover crops, crop residue retention, reduced or no-tillage, diversifying crop rotations on enhancing soil health, agroecosystem resiliency, crop productivity, and reducing environmental degradation. She conducts research to evaluate the soil and crop management practices which benefit the growers by increasing crop yield while minimizing environmental degradation. Chahal studies soil health, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient (specifically nitrogen) cycling and management, soil organic matter dynamics, soil fertility, and plant nutrition in annual grain and vegetable production systems. Her research contributes to providing improved decision making and recommendations to the researchers and growers related to soil nutrient management, building soil carbon and soil health.

Soil Health and Fertility Session
Thursday 3:00 pm, Room 203
Soil Health Assessment and Plan (SHAP): Identification and Management of Soil Health Challenges
An overview of soil health assessment and plan (SHAP) as a tool to guide farmers in identifying soil health challenges and management practices to address them.

Dr. Chapagain is Soil Fertility Specialist in Horticulture with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA). He deals with soil fertility related issues in horticultural crops including development of soil fertility and nutrition guidelines and reports, as well as soil fertility management practices in Ontario’s horticulture sector. He is also coordinating OMAFA’s agronomic soil lab accreditation program. Dr. Chapagain received his MSc in Horticulture, PhD in Plant Science and subsequently worked as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Alberta and most recently as a Research Associate in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph.

Soil Health and Fertility Session
Thursday 2:30 pm, Room 203
Options to Improve Nutrient Use Efficiency: Decision Support Tools and Techniques
An in-depth look at 4R options/BMPs along with new tools and sensor-based technologies to improve nutrient use efficiency.

Peter not only understands the food industry, he has a passion for seeing others succeed in this business. His in-depth knowledge of the retail landscape and consumers has helped many food producers and processors. His valuable insights will help you navigate the marketplace more effectively and get your items on the shelf and into the shopping cart. Peter’s experience includes the entire supply chain and retail merchandising. Starting at store level, he learned the importance of listening to consumers and the challenges of implementing strategies at retail. He went on to Canada’s largest food retailer, Loblaw’s, for nearly twenty years. Expanding his knowledge working in various departments, including merchandising, marketing and advertising. In 2007, Peter started a company to provide customized services to producers, processors and retailers across Canada. SKUFood works directly with producers and processors to help them understand their customers, the retailers.

Berries Session
Wednesday 3:00 pm, Ballroom B
TBD
Lavender Product Marketing Session
Thursday 11:00 am, Room 205
Consumer Insights and Product Choices (TBD)
Apples Session
Thursday 2:30 pm, Ballroom C
Navigating Retailer & Consumer Landscape (Title TBD)

Dr. Chase is the Director of the Vermont Tourism Research Center, and she is an Extension Professor at the University of Vermont. Her research and outreach focus on the intersection of food systems, community vitality, tourism, and working landscapes. With agritourism at the center of that intersection, Dr. Chase has worked with farmers, food entrepreneurs, and tourism businesses throughout Vermont and around the world for more than 25 years. She is the founding chair of the Global Agritourism Network, which fosters collaboration and provides education, research, and training for agritourism practitioners and scholars worldwide.

Agritourism Ontario Session
Thursday 3:00 pm, Ballroom D
Agritourism – A World of New Ideas for Your Farm
How can on-farm experiences like tours, festivals, educational workshops, farm stays, or other events help your farm profitability while building community and educating consumers? Dr. Lisa Chase from the University of Vermont will talk about the growing trend of agritourism. She’ll also introduce the recently established Global Agritourism Network, which supports farms open to visitors in Ontario and around the world.

Alex is a Registered Dietitian and farmer living and working on her family’s fruit and vegetable farm Thames River Melons, located in Southwestern Ontario. Alex’s work is rooted in food, nutrition, and agriculture education and communication. She creates spaces for people to experience and interact with their food, at its source, and provides education about how food is grown, how to prepare it, and the nutritional properties it provides. Pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, on-farm workshops and tours, recipe development, and produce home delivery (paired with nutrition tips, recipes, and tips and tricks for food storage and preservation) are just a few of the activities that keep Alex busy on farm. Alex is also the current Chair of Berry Growers of Ontario and enjoys working with the board and staff members to support the berry industry through research, promotion, and networking opportunities.

OPMA Session
Thursday 10:00 am, Room 206
Navigating a Successful Rebrand in the Produce Sector Panel

Craig is a Certified Red Seal Chef with over 30 years of experience in the Hospitality and Food Services industry, including 22 years as Manager of Procurement & Facilities at Western University. He is a trusted leader in procurement, building strong networks with industry leaders and fostering partnerships with local producers to ensure top-quality, sustainable sourcing. A passionate advocate for environmental stewardship, Craig is a two-time recipient of the Western Green Award for his efforts to reduce the university’s environmental footprint. His expertise in supply chain logistics, sustainability, and local sourcing underpins his dedication to innovation. As an active member of the Canadian College and University Food Service Association (CCUFSA), Craig collaborates with peers to address challenges and celebrate achievements in post-secondary food services. His leadership and commitment to sustainability continue to leave a lasting impact on Western University and the broader community.

Growing Opportunities in Public Sector Local Food Procurement Session
Thursday 2:40 pm, Room 206
Local Food Procurement in Colleges and Universities / Enhancing Local Food Systems and Supporting Sustainability
Western University Procurement Manager Craig Clifford and Executive Chef Kristian Crossen will present opportunities and challenges within the post-secondary institutional sector in regards to local procurement as it relates to the Ontario fruit and vegetable market. Together we’ll present an overview of procurement in post-secondary institutions, the importance of procurement in institutional operations, the role of procurement in enhancing educational missions and community engagement and the significance of local sourcing and its impact on health, economy and sustainability.

Rebecca operates a mixed commodity farm in Norfolk County. For the past 3 years, she has been growing the value-added hazelnut portion of the business – developing flavoured, candied hazelnuts and chocolate treats.

Hazelnuts Session
Wednesday 3:30 pm, Room 204
Grower Panel – Marketing Hazelnuts in Ontario: Present and Future

Kelsey is a dynamic marketing professional driving the bold rebrand of Highline Mushrooms, one of North America’s top mushroom producers. This transformation highlighted Highline’s leadership in sustainability, quality, and innovation, cementing its market position. At Highline, Kelsey shapes brand strategy, spearheading content creation, digital marketing, and event initiatives that deliver impactful results. Her creativity and data-driven approach have elevated brand engagement, boosted sales, and strengthened category growth. Collaborating with sales teams, she ensures strategic alignment across all channels, showcasing her ability to craft campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. Kelsey’s expertise in digital marketing, influencer partnerships, and content development consistently drives measurable success. She also contributes to the Ontario Produce Marketing Association’s Young Professionals Network, fostering collaboration and innovation within the produce industry. With a proven track record of delivering results, Kelsey is a vital force in transforming brand narratives and driving industry growth.

OPMA Session
Thursday 10:00 am, Room 206
Navigating a Successful Rebrand in the Produce Sector Panel

Gigi is the Client Services Officer for the Foodland Ontario consumer promotion program. She has been with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) for over six years, contributing to various program roles. Before joining the ministry, Gigi worked in communications and marketing in the private sector for more than seven years. In her role at Foodland Ontario, she collaborates with food industry clients and grower groups, providing also support and guidance to logo partners across Ontario to promote all the good things that are grown, produced and made in the province.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Thursday 111:30 am, Ballroom A
Foodland Ontario: The Power of Promoting Local

Travis is a Vegetable Crop Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. He works with growers, consultants, industry, and researchers to improve production and pest management strategies for Alliums, Brassicas and leafy greens. Travis received his BSc in Biology and MSc in Plant Production Systems with an emphasis on plant pathology from the University of Guelph.

Brassica Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Room 201
Major Brassica Pests and Diseases in 2024
A dive into the major Brassica pests and diseases that were observed in Ontario in 2024 and what management strategies can be implemented to reduce the incidence and severity in 2025.

Amy’s past and present experiences include: Chair of the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission (OFPMC) since 2020; Chair of the National Association of Agri-Food Supervisory Agencies (NAASA) since 2024; Owner and President of Cronin Farms Ltd., a sow and poultry operation; Owner and President of Cedar Grove Pork Ltd., a sow and piglet operation; Chair of the University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization; Trustee of the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board; Chair of Ontario's Outstanding Young Farmers Executive; Vice Chair of Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers Executive; Former Chair of the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board (Ontario Pork); Former Chair of Swine Health Ontario; Former Chair of the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Council; Former Chair of Grow Ontario Together/Eco Ag.

Berries Session
Wednesday 11:00 am, Ballroom B
Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission 101
The Chair of the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission will provide a brief overview of the role of the Commission in regulated farm marketing, with a specific emphasis on the Berry Growers of Ontario (BGO).

Over the course of his career, Kristian has had the fortune to cook in some of the best locations in Canada. After many years in the industry, Kristian attended George Brown College in Toronto, during this time he worked and staged at some of the city’s top restaurants. Kristian spent many years as a Chef in Stratford, Ontario where he earned 3 ½ stars in Toronto Life Magazine at Carter’s on Downie and was endorsed by Where to Eat in Canada. Moving on to the renowned Country House Hotel, Langdon Hall, the 5 Diamond, Relaise Chateau and Grand Chef designated property, Kristian was Sous Chef under Jonathan Gushue, one of Canada’s most gifted and celebrated Chef’s. During his 4 years there, Kristian refined his skills and appreciation for a truly Canadian, farm to table culinary expression. Kristian went on to open braise food & wine in the Metro Hotel in London, Ontario. In 2015, Kristian accepted the Executive Chef position at Western, where he brings his passion for seasonal, locally sourced cuisine.

Growing Opportunities in Public Sector Local Food Procurement Session
Thursday 2:40 pm, Room 206
Local Food Procurement in Colleges and Universities / Enhancing Local Food Systems and Supporting Sustainability
Western University Procurement Manager Craig Clifford and Executive Chef Kristian Crossen will present opportunities and challenges within the post-secondary institutional sector in regards to local procurement as it relates to the Ontario fruit and vegetable market. Together we’ll present an overview of procurement in post-secondary institutions, the importance of procurement in institutional operations, the role of procurement in enhancing educational missions and community engagement and the significance of local sourcing and its impact on health, economy and sustainability.

Christina is the founder of Crowley + Arklie Strategy & Co., a strategic marketing, communications and leadership business, serving clients across Canada. They focus on 1:1 client work, corporate training and facilitation, speaking, and 1:1 business coaching to help brands, businesses and leaders communicate their ‘why.’ With a particular focus and a number of clients in Canadian agriculture and food, Christina is on a mission to transform the way we communicate in agriculture-food and beyond.

Agritourism Ontario Session
Thursday 2:00 pm, Ballroom D
Cultivating Connection & Community: How to Effectively Execute with Social Media
Our farmers are the most trusted by Canadian consumers. But how do we cultivate connection and community with consumers who are strangers to what we do in agriculture and food? One of the vehicles we need to leverage and grow this trust is through our social media and digital marketing efforts. Join Christina for an interactive and engaging presentation on the strategy, importance and 'why' behind our social media efforts and learn about 'how' to execute effectively with social media.

Dr. David is a professor of Strategy and Organization and a Desautels Faculty Scholar at the Desautels Faculty of Management of McGill University. He is also the Academic Director (Research) for the faculty. Robert holds a PhD from Cornell University. His research focuses on the emergence and evolution of industries, and he is currently studying the market for local food in Canada and the US.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Thursday 9:30 am, Ballroom A
McGill University Farmers' Market Study Final Report (Live Stream)
Despite the growing interest in local food and, correspondingly, in farmers’ markets, no real consensus exists on what farmers’ markets are or should be. Indeed, consumers often do not know, and cannot easily tell, where the food they buy at farmers’ markets was produced or who produced it. Based on data from 34 interviews across Ontario and extensive archival research, we identify alternative means of establishing the origin of food at farmers’ markets.

Raised on a farm near Guelph, Ontario, Kelly is the Executive Director of Farm & Food Care Ontario. She is a graduate of both Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. Kelly is passionate about helping farmers and others working in agriculture to tell their stories to help Canadians better understand where their food comes from. A former reporter/photographer and communications manager, Kelly has been with Farm & Food Care Ontario since 2005. Farm & Food Care Ontario is a registered charity comprised of farmers, farm organizations and associated businesses all working together to help connect people with their food and farmers.

Communicating About Food and Farming Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Ballroom C
Speaking Up About Food and Farming Workshop
The training will give participants the confidence to tell their stories, in an easy-to-understand and compelling manner. This could be of use in media interviews, in tours of farms or food processing facilities, at political meetings, to service club members, to school groups and more. In this workshop, you’ll learn who the average Canadian is, how much they know or don’t know about food and farming and how to tell your farm story to a non-farming audience.

Gabriella recently completed a Master of Environmental Studies at Queen’s University and specializes in waste studies. She is currently a research assistant at Queen’s, investigating how the City of Kingston manages its organic waste. Having moved to Kingston in 2020, the best way to make connections was to volunteer. A stint with Sustainable Kingston led to volunteering with waste reduction at local music festivals which led to volunteering with waste reduction at the Memorial Centre Farmers Market. What started as a commitment of a few Sundays has turned into a wonderful relationship with the Market for all the Sundays to come.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Wednesday 10:00 am, Ballroom C
Eating here? Using Ceramic Dishes and Silverware to Reduce Waste
Our farmer’s market is in its second year of a waste reduction initiative. Vendors who serve prepared food and drinks are provided with ceramic plates, cups, and silverware at the beginning of market day. Dirty dishes are collected from customers and washed at the end of day. In the summer we wash about 150 plates, 60 plastic 16oz reusable cups, 25 coffee cups, 6 bowls and 75 pieces of cutlery.

Dr. DeEll is the Fresh Market Quality Specialist – Hort Crops with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA), located in Simcoe. She is currently studying the effects of anti-ethylene technologies on apple fruit ripening and physiological disorders during storage, developing optimum postharvest practices for new apple and pear cultivars, and investigating methods to improve handling and storage of fresh fruits and vegetables. Dr. DeEll was one of the first to receive the Agri-Food Innovation Award from the Government of Ontario for previous work on fresh-cut apple slices. She has published over 100 scientific papers, as well as review articles, book chapters and full books, on subjects pertaining to postharvest physiology and the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables. She has also made over 220 presentations and is on the editorial board for the international scientific journal Postharvest Biology and Technology.

Apples Session
Thursday 11 am, Ballroom C
Best Storage Practices for Ambrosia, Gala, and Honeycrisp Apples

Emma has served as Director of Sales and Marketing for the American Hazelnut Company (AHC) for the past four years. AHC is a grower-collaborative building an industry for hybrid hazelnuts in the Midwestern United States. They operate under a membership model, purchasing hazelnuts from member-growers and bringing them to market through their line of roasted hazelnuts, hazelnut oil, hazelnut flour, and hazelnut snacks. Through AHC, Emma is building a brand for Midwestern hazelnuts that connects hazelnut growers to eager customers, interested in local, sustainable food. Emma led the company in rebranding, product development, and 4X sales growth.

Hazelnuts Session
Wednesday 3:00 pm, Room 204
Marketing Local Hazelnuts – A Case Study from the Midwestern USA
Hear the story of a group of farmers banding together to build a hazelnut industry in the Midwestern States of the USA. This talk will focus of their marketing efforts: building a brand and product line to connect with local consumers.

Jason studied biology and psychology at Mount Allison University, plant cell physiology at York University and plant cell electrophysiology at the University of Guelph. Based in Ontario’s Simcoe Resource Centre since 2008, he researches and develops practical methods to optimize productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency in all agricultural spraying systems. Founder and co-author of “Airblast101 – Your Guide to Effective and Efficient Spraying”, he also founded and co-administers www.sprayers101.com.

Spray Basics for Vegetables Session
Thursday 2:00 pm, Room 201
Spray Basics for Vegetable Producers
An interactive workshop-style session where the audience is encouraged to ask questions about spray equipment and practices. Structured as an audience-led show-and-tell for optimizing your spray program and assessing spray coverage. Each session will be different depending on the discussion.

Dave owned a cut flower farm in Montgomery County, Maryland for 20 years. Flowers were field grown seasonally, and in high tunnels and greenhouses year-round. The flowers were sold at regional farmers markets, Whole Foods Markets, and direct to florists and designers. Dave now works for Ball Seed with the Ball ColorLink Sales Team working as a Sales Rep and Advisor to Cut Flower Growers. He also works behind the scenes at Ball Seed to bring new Cut Flower items to the market. He is a lifetime member of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers and served as ASCFG President for seven years.

Outdoor Cut Flowers Session
Thursday 3:20 pm, Room 205
Increasing Cut Flower Production and Income
Going from growing some flowers to a lot of flowers, or from growing zero flowers to more flowers.

Working with the PEI Horticultural Association Inc. Joanne provides support services in areas of on-farm research and extension to individual producers, grower associations, grower co-operatives and agri-business. Together they work in partnership with our growers, AAFC researchers, FVGC and our provincial government.

Vegetables-Cabbage Maggot Session
Thursday 9:30 am Room 201
PEI Perspective: Brassica Insect Pests
An overview of the major brassica insect pests on PEI: changing emergence patterns, crop damage, and control options impacting profitability.

Travis is the Director of Dietary Services and Information Technology at Grove Park Home in Barrie, Ontario. He started his culinary journey as a cook, achieving a diploma in Culinary Management at Georgian College. He continued his studies, obtaining his Nutrition Manager designation. He is an active member of the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM). He enjoys challenging the normal practice of relying on single food brokers by shopping locally and negotiating wholesale pricing with producers and vendors for the residents of his long-term care home. Through his passion and dedication to sourcing local, he believes that promoting food first and providing fresh, local ingredients will improve the nutritional value and overall food quality in healthcare institutions, as well as stimulate the local economy. He currently sits on Georgian College's Program Advisory Committee as an industry member for the Food and Nutrition Management Program. Recently, he has been contributing to the Ontario Seniors Nutrition & Advocacy Committee (OSNAC) and its associated working group, the Food and Nutrition Advisory Team (FNAT), with the goal of advocating and providing industry resources to assist colleagues with the transition to the Fixing Long-Term Care Homes Act.

Growing Opportunities in Public Sector Local Food Procurement Session
Thursday 3:05 pm, Room 206
Local Food Procurement in Long-Term Care

Chris is Crop Protection Advisor at the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA). OFVGA advocates on behalf of Ontario’s fruit, vegetable, and edible greenhouse crop growers. Chris’ role is to ensure that OFVGA’s members have access to the crop protection tools they need to protect their valuable crops. This includes seeking new registrations for edible horticulture crops and supporting continued access to currently registered products. Chris also reviews crop protection regulatory policy at both the federal and provincial levels. Chris has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Horticulture and Master of Science in Plant Agriculture from the University of Guelph.

Apples Session
Thursday 10:30 am, Ballroom C
Crop Protection Regulatory Updates for 2025
Chris will discuss current crop protection regulatory changes affecting apples including an overview of how products are reviewed for registration.

The Head of Strategy and Solutions for Numerator Canada, Brian brings nearly two decades of industry experience to helping clients understand changing consumer behaviour. Prior to joining Numerator, Brian worked at Walmart Canada for nearly ten years and before that, he worked for The Nielsen Company. His career has brought him to four countries, including the United States, Japan, Russia and Canada.

OPMA Session
Thursday 9:30 am, Room 206
Perpetually Pessimistic? An Update on the Canadian Produce Shopper
Inflation has returned to “normal” levels, and the economy has reached a “soft landing.” But the Canadian consumer is as skittish as ever. What should we expect for the consumer in 2025, especially when it comes to how they shop for produce? Numerator will share insights into shifting consumer behaviour and relate those insights back to the fruit and vegetable sector to provide concrete strategies for the produce industry.

Geoff is a Research Technician with the University of Guelph, based at the Ontario Crops Research Centre – Bradford. He grew up working on his family's fruit and vegetable farm and market north of Toronto. Geoff pursued a BSc and MSc in Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph and now supports a wide range of research initiatives within the Holland Marsh.

Grower Experiences with Robotics & Technology Session
Thursday 9:30 am, Room 203
Assessing and Improving Agricultural Robots for Vegetable Production
Geoff will discuss efforts to assess and adapt agricultural robots for vegetable production in the Holland Marsh. Focusing on the Naïo Orio and FarmDroid FD20, the presentation highlights their use in carrots, onions, and beets, detailing performance evaluations, challenges, and innovations to improve their effectiveness in real-world farming conditions.

John is a Vineyard Equipment Specialist for RDO Equipment Co., in Central California and for Pellenc America in Northern California, selling a variety of vineyard equipment for 20 years. His area of responsibility for Pellenc is Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Napa Counties in California. He also supports the Pellenc America Dealer Network in Texas, Virginia, upstate New York, Pennsylvania and the Grape Growers of Ontario. Pellenc America sells winery, farming and harvesting equipment. John is continually learning from farmers throughout the US and Canada discovering the challenges they face in their vineyards and what equipment solutions they use to solve their challenges.

Grapes Session
Thursday 3:30 pm Room 207
New Technologies in Grape Production Panel

Olaf has served as the Chief Liaison Officer and Head of the Eastern Caribbean Liaison Service (ECLS) since 2019. He continues to steer the strengthening and expansion of the ECLS, on behalf of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) – for the participation of Eastern Caribbean workers in the Canada-Caribbean Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP). Olaf has 27 years of public and private sector experience in the international arena. His career has focused on International Development, Project Management, and Diplomacy in the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and North America. Olaf continues to commit his diverse experience and energy to pursuing the sustainable growth of the ECLS.

Labour #1 Session
Wednesday 11am Room 205
SAWP Source Country Update: Panel - Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Sarah has been involved in the seed industry for over 40 years and has established a Chilean based seed laboratory. She is an international technical auditor with the International Seed Testing Association. After qualifying at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge, England, she began her career as a seed analyst at Sharps Seed International, UK and later emigrated to Canada in 1984 to work with The United Grain Growers. In 1989, Sarah started 20/20 Seed Labs Inc. which is a highly accredited, independent seed testing laboratory operating in three locations, Chile, Alberta and Manitoba. 20/20 Seed labs is an authorized ISTA laboratory, CFIA accredited, and ISO registered and holds membership in Seeds Canada, CSGA and SCST and provides services for all crop kinds, including extensive quality and seed health analysis, molecular testing, and accredited crop inspection. Sarah is currently Vice President of Seeds Canada and chairperson of the seed testing and quality assurance committee also with Seeds Canada.

Seed Health and Treatment Session
Thursday 2:00 pm, Ballroom B
Every Seed Counts
Seed testing is an important tool for measuring seed quality. Highly regulated globally to meet international standards, germination methods are developed to identify the quality of a seed lot. The results are used for planting purposes and enable end users to gauge the plants performance through proper seeding.

Poliana works for Valent BioSciences as a Global Technical Development Manager, with responsibilities for market and technical development of PGRs in fruit crops around the world. She received her PhD in Plant Sciences at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil. Before joining Valent BioSciences, Poli spent four years at Cornell University in a post-doc position as an applied fruit physiologist focusing on flower biology, plant growth regulators and crop load management of pome and stone fruit.

Apples Session
Wednesday 3:00 pm, Ballroom C
The Use of Plant Growth Regulators in Apples – Why, When and How to Use Them (Live stream)
An overview of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) used in apples to increase quality, yield and reduce labor costs – few tips on how they work and best strategies to use.

Dr. Gariepy is a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre. Her research focuses on invasive insects that threaten agricultural productivity, including monitoring and detection of newly established pests. Dr. Gariepy’s research also involves the development of classical biological control strategies for insect pests of agricultural concern, including foreign exploration, assessment of target and non-target effects, coordination of biocontrol agent releases, and post-release evaluation of establishment. In addition, Dr. Gariepy specializes in the development and use of molecular diagnostic tools to assess trophic interactions between insect pests and their natural enemies. Dr. Gariepy currently works on several invasive insect pests, including the Brown Marmorated Stinkbug, Spotted Wing Drosophila, Japanese Beetle, and Spotted Lanternfly.

Berries Session
Wednesday 3:30 pm, Ballroom B
Field Release of the Asian Parasitoid, Ganaspis kimorum, for Biological Control
Spotting Wing Drosophila (SWD) is an invasive insect that is a serious pest of berries and tender fruit. The Asian parasitoid, Ganaspis kimorum, has been approved for release in the US and Italy, and was confirmed established in British Columbia. In 2024, a Federally-approved project was initiated to redistribute G. kimorum in Ontario for the biological control of SWD.

Katie is a plant pathologist with the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food based in Kelowna, BC. Core responsibilities include addressing critical diseases, understanding epidemiology, improving disease management strategies, and providing education on disease prevention 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.

Tender Fruit Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Room 206
Reduced Sensitivity to DMI Fungicides in the Brown Rot Pathogen and Management Approaches
In this joint presentation, Ms. Goldenhar will share Ontario specific results of the brown rot pathogen sensitivity to DMI fungicides. Dr. Schnabel will share management strategies from research and experience in South Carolina.
Brassica Session
Wednesday 11:00 am, Room 201
Investigating Fungicides for Alternaria Management in Ontario Brassica Vegetables
Brassica vegetable growers are threatened by Alternaria leaf spot and head rot annually. Fungicides are a key management tool, but fungicide resistance is a concern with more reliance on single site products. Ontario lab (2021-2023) and field (2024) fungicide studies will be shared along with a spray programs for growers to consider.

Jaime is proud to be the Executive Director for the Innisfil Farmers’ Market, and the Community Development and Operations Manager for the Barrie Farmers’ Market. Previously, he had run an accounting business for decades before leaving to manage markets full time. His passion, he discovered, is really about supporting the communities for which he’s involved in and assisting small business owners to become successful. In his roles, Jaime spends time marketing, advertising, event planning and managing the financial reporting. Securing funding is also high on his priority list. He really enjoys the community networking, fundraising and helping other community groups thrive as a collective.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Wednesday 11:00 am, Ballroom A
Funding your Market - An Unconventional Guide
Innovative fundraising for your market is another lucrative way that you can support the financial side. Join me for finding out how you can apply this strategy to your market, group of businesses, or community group.

Kristy has been the Horticulture IPM Specialist for apples with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) since 2011. She is responsible for knowledge mobilization and applied research for the apple industry in Ontario, Canada. Her area of focus is evaluating new technologies and strategies for managing key orchard pests as well as emerging pest issues, including both native and invasive species. She is the editor of several IPM resources including the Ontario Crop Protection Hub, CropIPM, ONfruit blog and the ONcore Newsletter. Kristy holds a Masters in Environmental Biology and Toxicology from the University of Guelph. Prior to her current position, Kristy was involved with pest management and production extension for root, bulb and leafy vegetables with OMAFRA.

Apples Session
Thursday 3:30 pm, Ballroom C
Outbreak to Outsmart: Strategies to Manage Apple Scab
This presentation will provide apple growers with an in-depth understanding of the biology of apple scab, focusing on the life cycle of the pathogen and the environmental conditions that drive its development. We will explore why the previous growing season posed exceptional challenges for managing this disease, highlighting the factors that contributed to outbreaks. Practical strategies for effective management will be discussed, including timing fungicide applications and implementing cultural practices to reduce inoculum. By understanding the science behind apple scab and learning from the past season, growers can better prepare to protect their orchards in future high-pressure years.

Jenny is a farmer. Her family has been involved in agriculture for 30+ years. Farmers’ Markets are very important to her business. Currently, Jenny is a director with Farmers' Markets Ontario where she represents her local Thunder Bay Country Market.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Ballroom A
What Can FMO Do for You – Workshop

Priyanka Gupta, M.A Counselling, is the Program Outreach Coordinator for the Guardian Network, part of Agriculture Wellness Ontario (AgWO) within the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) - Ontario Division. Priyanka has previously supported individuals with dual diagnosis, experiencing complex mental health and addiction concerns. In addition, Priyanka has also worked as an outreach and prevention specialist for a non-profit organization in Toronto. Priyanka brings with her a broad perspective on the chronic stress farmers face. Her understanding of these issues was formed through her experience with rural and agricultural communities in India. Priyanka is passionate about mental health advocacy and engaging with individuals belonging to diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Thursday 10:30 am, Ballroom A
An Introduction to Mental Health in Agriculture
Our presentation will cover stats about mental health in farming across Canada, what is mental health vs. mental illness, how to self-care on the farm and why it’s important, and the free resources available through Agriculture Wellness Ontario.

Beth is lead instigator and entrepreneur on the family’s lavender farm where she has taken their business from ground zero to a growing wholesale and retail lavender farm without being an agritourism venue. The support of her husband and children as well as a strong adherence to their family values have led to the farm’s increasing success. She graduated from Washington State University with a BS in Agriculture Education (2002), MS Agriculture (2005), and EdM Teaching and Learning (2010). She is currently pursuing a principal credential and expanding the wholesale arm of her lavender business.

Lavender Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Room 205
Hosting a Lavender Festival Off Site
You do not have to welcome guests to your farm in order to share the joy and usefulness of lavender. Beth will share her knowledge of off farm experiences as well as hosting your first festival.
Lavender Product Marketing Session
Thursday 9:30 am, Room 205
Choosing Sales Channels and Bringing Products to Market
You may start out wanting to sell everywhere and make all the products. There are great benefits to choosing 2-4 markets you are really passionate about and only make the products that you are excited to make. There are so many lavender partnerships to be had where you can cooperate on products for each other.

Craig currently leads the AltaML Venture Studio. This is the early-stage investment arm of AltaML, a large AI services firm based out of Edmonton, ON. In the past, Craig has lead innovation and technology teams at Canadian Tire, ApplyBoard, and Communitech.

Agritourism Ontario Session
Wednesday 3:00 pm, Ballroom D
AI 101 - How to Leverage AI for Your Business in Agritourism
You will learn the basics of AI 101 to ensure everyone has the knowledge to begin to explore the possibilities of AI. The goal of this session is to help each one of the participants understand how to apply the basic principles of AI into marketing, logistics, supply chain and other vital parts of the Agritourism industry. This will also be a great opportunity to ask questions and dig into specific use cases that can help you operate your business more effectively.

Leah is a Regional Sales Manager at Wonderful Sales with nearly 15 years of experience in the food and produce industry. Throughout her career, Leah has built a strong foundation in procurement, marketing, and sales, developing a comprehensive understanding of the industry. She has experience as both a retailer and supplier, giving her a wholistic perspective of the industry. Leah's expertise in building relationships, driving sales, and industry knowledge, has made her a key asset in her field. Passionate about fostering growth and delivering exceptional results, she consistently.

OPMA Session
Thursday 10:00 am, Room 206
How to Successfully Navigate a Rebrand in the Produce Industry Panel

From a young age, Janis was always drawn to pretty flowers believing flowers may be in her blood. Although growing up on a vegetable farm, she wanted nothing to do with farming. After going away to post-secondary education and having a successful optical career, Janis returned to her roots which re-kindled her love for flowers and farming. Harris Flower Farm, located just north of St. Thomas in SW Ontario, is a 7 acre seasonal cut flower farm that provides beautiful flowers for local farmers’ markets, weddings and events. It is their 17th growing season. Flowers are produced from April to October and in November and December wintergreens are used in arrangements. They grow a large variety of annual, perennial, bulb and woody stem flowers. Janis is the incoming elected Vice President for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.

Outdoor Cut Flowers Session
Thursday 2:00 pm, Room 205
From Vegetables to Flowers: Farming and Selling Field Grown Flowers in Ontario

Agritourism Ontario Session
Thursday 10:30 am, Ballroom D
Maximizing Ad Spend, Online Ticketing Revenue & On-site Sales
Hugh from Maize Quest and Sahdi from TicketSpice dive deep into the data to show hidden secrets for building ticketing, merchandise, food and beverage revenue BEFORE guests arrive at your event. Maximizing pre-event revenue dramatically impacts the value of online marketing campaigns.

Bryan is a Research Support Technologist at the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center, a Pennsylvania State University facility located in North East, PA. He received a BS in biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana Illinois and MS in plant pathology at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Tennessee. For 25 years, Bryan has been conducting research to develop and improve chemical and cultural disease control measures for grapes and educating grape growers with the latest in grape disease management recommendations. Bryan is currently conducting projects to examine downy mildew resistance to FRAC 4, 11, 33, and 40 fungicides, mechanized fruit zone leaf removal for bunch rot control, a viticultural comparison of several clones and hybrids of Riesling, and alternatives to Phomopsis control in response to possible loss of the multisite inhibitor fungicides.

Grapes Session
Wednesday 3:30 pm, Room 207
The Ugly Truth About Black Rot Control: Back to Basics
The title reflects the fact that most of what we need for good control of black rot in conventional viticulture, we already have. We’ll review and revisit what we know about black rot biology, epidemiology, host and varietal susceptibility, timing of effective conventional fungicides, and sanitation. For organic growers, black rot can be a huge challenge every year, and I’ll offer advice on how to control black rot without effective fungicides.

Valerie has worked with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development as an Employment Standards Officer since 2014. She is a Human Resources professional, having completed her Human Resources Management program at McMaster University and holds the designation of Certified Human Resources Leader, CHRL as well as an Executive Certificate in Conflict Management from the University of Windsor. Valerie has worked in the private and not-for-profit sectors during her career in Human Resources, specializing in employment law and dispute resolution. Since joining the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Valerie has appreciated the opportunity to use her skills to serve the public interest with integrity, honesty and commitment while administering the Employment Standards Act, 2000 through claims resolution and proactive workplace inspections.

Berries Session
Thursday 10:30 am, Ballroom B
Employment Standards for Employers
What you need to know as employers to ensure compliance with the Employment Standard Act, 2000.

Christy is a vegetable specialist with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Cornell Vegetable Program in Western New York, a position she has held since 2001. She conducts on-farm applied research projects in demonstrations and educational programming in onions, cabbage, broccoli and garlic. She has a BSc (1997) in Environmental Biology and an MSc (2001) in Plant Pathology and Applied Entomology from the University of Guelph. In 2018, she received the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Extension/Outreach.

Brassica Session
Wednesday 10:15 am, Room 201
Managing Alternaria Leaf Spot and Head Rot in Broccoli with Fungicides in New York
Featuring small-plot fungicide trial results conducted in broccoli including FRAC M1 (copper bactericides), M5 (Bravo), 3 (Inspire Super, Quadris Top, etc.), 7 (Endura, Miravis Prime, Luna Sensation, Priaxor, etc.), 12 (Switch) and 19 (Oso). Includes investigation of need for adjuvants with FRAC M1 and 19 for organic use, and development of fungicide resistance from 2018 to 2023.
Vegetables – Cabbage Maggot
Thursday 11:00 am, Room 201
Managing Cabbage Maggot with Insecticides in Transplanted Cabbage in New York
Featuring results highlights of recent small-plot insecticide trials conducted in transplanted cabbage in New York, including relative performance of organophosphates (e.g. Lorsban, Diazinon), pyrethroids (e.g. Mustang Max, Hero), diamides (e.g. Coragen, Verimark) and spinosyns (Radiant/Delegate), and the effect of product placement (e.g. transplant water, directed row spray, tray drench) on their efficacy.

Friedhelm with a BSc Hons (Agr) works for Lakeside Grain & Feed as an Agronomist specialist in high value crops as a Consultant for fertility, fertigation in season and general crop and farm practice. He obtained a degree from the University Nuertingen in Germany, and worked in livestock, cash crop and vegetable farms abroad. Friedhelm immigrated to Canada in 1998 and worked at a large scale Suntastic Greenhouse as Grower and Manager for 7+ years and expanded his practical experience over 12 years as General Operating Manager at a 2000+ acre operation in Huron County growing various fresh market vegetables and cash crops. Since 2017 at Lakeside, Friedhelm works closely in the Hort/Orch team with field, vegetable and orchard crops fertility needs during the growing stage to improve plant health and yield. He developed a fertigation program with an equipment option for farm operations based on precision ag and 4R's using technology Yield apps and SAP testing per growing stage. For each operation, he develops a seasonal program and updates for fertility and spray programs during the season.

Soil Health & Fertility Session
Thursday 3:15 pm, Room 203
Fertigation Systems: Applications and Opportunities
An industry perspective on precise fertigation as an effective and efficient method of nutrient application in fruit and vegetables as part of a fertility program to improve of soil health, plant health and fruit quality.

Kendra is a Project Director in Case Management at the WSIB. With nearly two decades of WSIB experience, she is passionate about making innovative change to support injured and ill people with recovery and return-to-work. Kendra led the Foreign Agricultural Worker Review playing an integral role in the development, launch, and implementation of the Foreign Agricultural Worker Strategy released in May 2024.

Labour #1 Session
Wednesday 10:30 am, Room 205
WSIB's Foreign Agricultural Worker Strategy and What it Means for TFW Employers
When an injury or illness happens at the workplace, the WSIB is here to help. This session will provide employers with key information related to coverage for foreign agricultural workers participating in the federal Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. It will include a high-level overview of the WSIB’s Foreign Agricultural Worker Strategy, launched in May 2024, focusing on how the WSIB helps support recovery and return-to-work in Ontario following a workplace injury or illness.

47 years of industry experience; 33 years as an F&B Consultant; 950+ projects worldwide; projects on 5 continents; 480 speaking engagements; designed/remodeled 350 kitchens.

Agritourism Ontario Session
Thursday 9:30 am, Ballroom D
21 Secrets to a Successful Farm
This is a fast moving session providing you with the best 21 ideas to increase your food and beverage revenue, and lower your expenses and create huge profits.

Libby is a graduate student studying plant pathology at Cornell University in the Finger Lakes region of New York. She is interested in specialty crops, their pathogens, and improving the management of their resulting diseases. Currently, she works with pathogens of rhubarb and winter squash. Her research uses laboratory and field techniques to improve management recommendations, including fungicide trials, breeding line evaluations, and pathogen population genomics.

Perennial Vegetables Session
Thursday 9:30 am, Room 204
Advances in Rhubarb Field Management
Though rhubarb has been grown in the eastern US for centuries, the largest commercial operations are in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Consequently, many publicly-available resources for rhubarb production are designed for cultivation in the PNW. At Cornell University, we are interested in supporting rhubarb growers in the Northeast US seeking to increase their production. In this talk, I will discuss research activities at Cornell to advance rhubarb production in the Northeast. I will start with a brief history of rhubarb cultivation, highlighting its center of origin and impressive diversity, and focus on its production in eastern North America including recommendations for cultivars, cultural practices, and disease management.
Thursday 10:00 am, Room 204
Adding Value to Rhubarb: Craft Beverages and Culinary Uses
Rhubarb has a long history as a "pie plant," but it has many other potential culinary uses. Craft beverage producers are showing increasing interest in adding rhubarb to their products, but cite processing inefficiency as a considerable bottleneck. At Cornell University, we are working with local beverage industry members to develop standards for processing and beverage production. In this talk, I will summarize our findings as well as other industry practices for adding rhubarb to beverages. I will also discuss possible opportunities for other food products.

Debbie attained her PhD from McMaster University in Biochemistry in 1995. After a three-year stint in the biotech industry, she joined Brock in 1999 in the Department of Biological Sciences as a professor in the Applied Grape and Wine Science program. She took on the directorship of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) in 2008 where she resides today. Debbie’s research program spans areas of local yeast isolation, characterization and grow up for wine production, Icewine fermentation and yeast stress responses, developing oenological processes to enhance wine aroma and flavour compounds as well as understanding the role of dehydrin proteins in grapevine cold hardiness. Debbie has been involved in the grape and wine industry her entire life and was Ontario’s Grape King in 2010. She knows first-hand the issues facing the industry and is happy to help solve them through research.

Oenology & Cider Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Room 207
Use of Non-traditional Yeast to Mitigate the Effects of Botrytis and Sour Rot
Sour rot and Botrytis infections in grapes pose significant challenges to grape growers and wineries. Infected fruit exhibits elevated concentrations of acetic acid, acetaldehyde, and ethyl acetate, compounds known to unfavorably alter wine sensory characteristics. A locally isolated yeast, Saccharomyces uvarum CN1 metabolizes acetic acid while simultaneously increasing volatile aroma compounds (VOCs) as compared to commercial S. cerevisiae strains, lowering acetic acid in wine to only 0.05-0.02g/L. The application of this yeast for both red and white wine fermentation will be presented.

Asha is an accomplished public officer with over 30 years of dedicated service in Trinidad and Tobago's public sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from the University of West Indies, and certifications in human resources, marketing and project management. Asha has held key positions, including Chief Manpower Officer and Senior Manpower at the Ministry of Labour, where she oversaw employment programs, labour migration initiatives, and workforce development. Currently serving as the Consul (Labor), Asha manages the Labour Liaison Branch located at the Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Toronto, Ontario. Her role currently focuses on strengthening bilateral relations with Canada for the supply of labor in agriculture. Her career exemplifies dedication to enhancing labor relations and promoting workforce empowerment both locally and internationally.

Labour #1 Session
Wednesday 11:00 am, Room 205
SAWP Source Country Update: Panel – Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Jim began his career with Ohio State University Extension in the Integrated Pest Management Program in 1993. He originally worked in field crop IPM but in 1999, was redirected to work in specialty crops IPM, where he focused on pumpkins, tomato, pepper and sweet corn. He co-manages the statewide pest monitoring network and has been the state IPM Program Coordinator since 2013. Jim attained the rank of Professor in the Department of Extension in 2020. In late 2024, Jim transitioned back into the Department to focus more on urban agriculture, controlled environmental agriculture, entomophagy, research and new Extension educator professional development.

Sweet Corn & Cucurbits Session
Wednesday 2:30 pm, Room 201
Fungicide Programs that Work Against Powdery Mildew in Pumpkin
This presentation will focus on the efficacy of several fungicide programs to control powdery mildew on pumpkin from 2020 to 2024. Compounds from various FRAC's and MOA's from demonstration trials will be covered.
Wednesday 3:30 pm, Room 201
Review of Pumpkin and Squash Hybrids from 2020-2023
In this presentation, commercial and experimental pumpkin and squash hybrid results (fruit wt., fruit no., handle size/quality, estimated yield, color, etc.) will be shown from demonstration plots at the research station in South Charleston, OH

Andrea is a notable force in marketing, tourism, communication, and hospitality, with over 30 years of experience. Her career began after graduating university, when she took on the management of her family’s restaurant and motel in Niagara-on-the-Lake. After a decade, she returned to the wine industry, eventually following in her father’s footsteps, by launching her own wine collection. Today, she consults for various businesses in the region and collaborates with her brother at Kaiser Design and Marketing Agency. Throughout her career, Andrea has been recognized as an industry leader and a dedicated community contributor. She has held leadership roles in local government, taught business management, tourism, consumer behaviour, branding, and public relations at the Canadian Food and Wine Institute, and serves on numerous committees and boards.

Agritourism Ontario Session
Wednesday 10:30 am, Ballroom D
Loving and Living Your Brand
Brand authenticity has always been a cornerstone of success, but today, the thirst for authenticity is greater than ever. Consumers are prioritizing brands that are genuine and transparent so it is vital to weave your story into every facet of your strategic marketing plan. Authenticity isn’t just a marketing buzzword; it’s an invitation to share your passion in a real, relatable way. Because if you don’t love your brand, why would anyone else?

Dr. Khot is a distinguished leader in the field of precision agriculture. He serves as the Director of the Agricultural Weather Sensing Network at Washington State University (WSU), which plays a vital role in providing crucial weather data and decision support to the state's agricultural community. As an Associate Professor of Precision Agriculture, Dr. Khot's innovative research focuses on integrating advanced sensing and automation technologies to improve the efficiency of irrigated and tree fruit crop production. With a PhD in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, he leads transformative projects that utilize IoT, cyber-physical systems, and advanced computing to offer actionable insights for protecting crops from abiotic stressors. His program also conducts research and education on the precise chemical application technologies.

Tender Fruit Session
Wednesday 2:30 pm, Room 206
Fruit Production for the Future: Washington State Smart Orchard Testbed
With funding from WA Tree Fruit Research Commission, we have established a public-private partnership driven 'Smart Apple Orchard Testbed' on a cooperative grower site for automated precision orchard management technologies evaluation, and grower education. This talk will discuss our ongoing efforts in the domain of automated precision irrigation and heat stress management, precision crop load management, extension education, and pertinent learnings.

Julie is a vegetable crops specialist with the CCE Cornell Vegetable Program, a regional agriculture team that serves the commercial vegetable industry in a large multi-county region in the western and central parts of New York state. Dr. Kikkert earned a PhD and MS degree in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a BS degree in Horticulture from the University of Maryland-College Park. She has been employed at Cornell University for more than 30 years and currently serves as the Team Leader for the CCE-Cornell Vegetable Program. Her research and outreach program focus on processing vegetable crops (beets, carrots, green peas, lima beans, snap beans, spinach, sweet corn), pest identification and management, weed management, and sustainable production practices. Dr. Kikkert is an active member of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

Sweet Corn & Cucurbits Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Room 201
Tar Spot: An Emerging Disease of Sweet Corn
Tar spot caused by the fungus Phyllachora maydis is common throughout South and Central America, and the Caribbean and has the potential to severely reduce yields of susceptible corn varieties. Tar spot was first detected in midwestern US field corn in 2015 and has spread each year. In 2024, it was widespread in Ontario and New York state, including sweet corn. Identification and management of tar spot will be discussed.
Wednesday 3:00 pm, Room 201
Laser Scarecrows to Deter Birds in Sweet Corn
A laser scarecrow is a device that has one or more laser modules connected to motors. The specifications of the lasers are optimized to the color and motion sensitivity of bird’s eyes. When laser beams move across a field, birds become frightened and attempt to move away from the perceived threat. Laser scarecrows as part of an integrated management program for bird control that utilizes habitat management and multiple scare tactics can be useful tools.

Megan is the Senior Director of Programs at Glynwood. She leads projects that convene food and farming professionals to execute training, collective efforts, and creative projects that further the development of a regional food system in the Hudson Valley. Amongst these are Glynwood's Cider Project, the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition, the Food Sovereignty Fund, Grains and Staples, and Farmer Training. Previously, Megan was Director of Strategic Initiatives and Community Outreach for Slow Food USA. In 2024 she received her PhD in anthropology for her research amongst regional food and farming advocates in the Hudson Valley from the University of Exeter where she is an associate of the Center for Rural Policy Research. Megan also holds an MA with distinction in Anthropology from SOAS, University of London, where her research focused on seed exchange, first-generation women farmers and food heritage. Her broad range of experience in food and agriculture, including ten years as a restaurant professional, farmer's market manager, and community garden organizer, inspire Megan's continued determination to build more just and joyful food systems.

Oenology & Cider Session
Wednesday 11 am Room 207
The Cider Project: Broadening Opportunities for New York’s Growers and Cider Makers
This presentation will share the successes and lessons learned from 15 years of Glynwood's Cider Project. Our Cider Project has broadened opportunities for New York’s apple growers and cider makers, increasing the production, popularity, and value of cider throughout the region and the state.

Rachael is a Research Scientist at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre specializing in plant breeding and variety evaluation. She leads a multidisciplinary team that works to integrate genomics, sensory science and biochemistry into developing new varieties of apples. Employing a multidisciplinary approach to apple breeding ensures that new varieties produced by Vineland will meet consumer demands. Rachael has an MSc and an Honours BSc specializing in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Guelph.

Apples Session
Thursday 9:30 am, Ballroom C
Apple Market Trends & Outlook Panel

Meg is a trailblazer in sensory merchandising and a Director at ZenGenius, Inc., a visual merchandising and event design agency based in Columbus, Ohio. With over nine years of retail industry experience, she has worked with top brands in cannabis, garden centers, fashion, and food and beverage, managing visual projects and executing strategic initiatives to elevate client experiences. Meg’s personal journey of healing from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) profoundly influences her work, igniting her passion for sensory inclusivity. Her research into how the brain processes sensory stimuli drives her mission to create environments that are welcoming, comfortable, and safe for all. A sought-after speaker, she has presented at major events, including the US Capitol and the Retail Innovation Conference. Meg’s innovative approach reshapes retail spaces by thoughtfully engaging the senses to enhance the consumer experience and inspire connection.

Agritourism Ontario Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Ballroom D
Sensory Merchandising: Connecting with Customers One Sense at a Time
Sensory merchandising focuses on using the five senses to connect the dots between a store and a customer’s emotional response. Creating a space where customers feel welcome and comfortable is directly linked to their sensory experience, which serves as a gateway to the brain’s processing centers. Research into brain science reveals how our senses—sight, taste, smell, touch, and sound—impact our emotions and decision-making processes. By understanding these connections, brands can craft experiences that resonate more deeply with their customers. What does your brand look, taste, smell, feel and sound like? These sensory elements play a crucial role in shaping how customers perceive and interact with your brand and products. Join Joe and Meg, as they share some of the industry's standout Sensory Merchandising experiences. This fun and engaging session will help you gain a better understanding and provide inspiration on how you can stimulate your customers' senses.

Eleanor is the Founder of Eden Specialty Ciders in Newport, Vermont and is now the President & CEO of ESV Holdings, Inc., the combined businesses of Shelburne Vineyard, Iapetus Wines and Eden. She is the author of “Guide to Producing Vermont Ice Cider” and “Cidernomics: Life in the Underdog Economy”. Eleanor began producing ice cider in the basement of her Vermont farmhouse in 2007 and is recognized as one of the world’s leading producers of this specialty dessert cider. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of the American Cider Association since 2016, serving three terms as President of the Board, and is a Co-Founder of the Vermont Cider Makers Association. She was also a member of the inaugural Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Board.

Oenology & Cider Session
Wednesday 10:30 am, Room 207
Issues at the Crossover of Cider and Wine
What does it mean to produce cider from a wine point of view? After all, cider is fermented not brewed. Consider taking your cider to the next level. We will review apple varieties, fermentation protocols, elevage, carbonation methods, co-ferments and more.

Jenny grew up on a farm and went on to become a chemical engineer and then earned advanced degrees in product design and data science.  She has extensive experience in developing successful physical and software applications at start-ups and corporations. Working with customers such as Ford, Scotiabank, and Walmart, her teams developed products used by millions of people, generating over $50M in revenue. She is also a seasoned business operator. Jenny is currently Co-founder and CEO at Vivid Machines, a startup developing spectral imaging and computer vision systems to revolutionize fruit production.

Grower Experiences with Robotics & Technology Session
Thursday 10:00 am, Room 203
Vivid Machines in Practice: A Grower’s Experience
Grape Session
Thursday 3:30 pm, Room 207
New Technologies in Grape Production Panel

Arthur is Director at Lavender Polo Farm, and an Ontario Excellence in Agriculture recipient. He has years of experience in agriculture, with strong passions in agri-business and lavender.

Lavender Session
Wednesday 2:30 pm, Room 205
Panel on Festivals and Events
Lavender Product Marketing Session
Thursday 10:00 am, Room 205
Lavender Product Marketing Experiences

David lives in New Zealand and has worked in commercial fruit production before specialising in plant protection. For the past 14 years, he has worked as a fruit and vegetable pathologist in government funded research and extension. In that role, David has encountered problems associated with spray application and has worked in spray application research and extension since his PhD in the 1990s. That research attempted to bridge the gaps between spray application engineering, plant protection chemistry and crop physiology questioning: How do you describe a crop canopy spray target to an engineer? How much chemical is needed on the target? What actually is the target? How do you set up a sprayer to accurately and efficiently hit the target? Canopies, sprayers, chemistry and pest and disease problems keep changing and those questions are as relevant today as they were 20 years ago – so I haven’t quite managed to do myself out of a job yet!

Hops Session
Wednesday 10:00 am, Room 204
Importance of Coverage/improving Coverage in Tall Crops
Tall crops present some significant spraying challenges. This presentation aims to address three key questions: 1) How much chemical and spray volume is required to achieve effective chemical dose and coverage?; 2) How best to get the spray to the target? and 3) And how to minimise the risks of off-target spray losses?
Apples Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Ballroom C
Improving Spraying Practices and Spray Application Strategies – An NZ Journey
Orchard planting systems change over time and spraying practices need to adapt to change with them. Add in new nozzle and application technologies, changes in available chemistry, plus new pest and disease challenges and you have lots of opportunities for improvements… or failures. This talk presents a vision for the future of plant protection in apples that is based on real world NZ experiences over the last 20 years.
Berries Session
Thursday 11:00 am, Ballroom B
Visualising and Improving Spray Coverage and Efficacy in Berry Crops
Spraying is something of a black art and we see large variations in spray coverage and spray programme effectiveness between growers. Spray coverage visualisation is the key tool for understanding and improving the performance of your sprayers. This talk aims to provide practical insights into options for spray coverage visualisation and how to interpret what you see to help you to understand and improve the coverage performance of your sprayers.
Apples Session
Thursday 2:00 pm, Ballroom C
Understanding Adjuvants for Improved Pesticide Application
Formulated agrochemicals usually contain a mix of adjuvants to assist product handling and performance. Tank mixes of products therefore contain a mix of adjuvants, sometimes synergistic, sometimes antagonistic. It is often useful to add an adjuvant to your spray mix to improve spreading, penetration, sticking and/or for drift risk reduction. Deciding if, when, what and how much adjuvant to add is a challenge. This talk aims to provide some insights to help answer those questions.

In 2023, Pam and co-founder Jim Boyd launched the Invasive Species Corporation, to bring effective, environmentally friendly biological solutions to control destructive invasive species, in water, forestry and agriculture. Dr. Marrone spent her 30+ year career focused on biological products for pest management and plant health, having started and led three other bioag companies (Entotech, AgraQuest and Marrone Bio Innovations), all of which were sold to larger companies. She is one of only 32 women to have founded a company and taken it public (MBII:NASDAQ). She has a BS in entomology with Honors and Distinction from Cornell University and a PhD in entomology from North Carolina State University. She is a Fellow of the AAAS, and in 2024 she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and holds over 400 patents.

Berries Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Ballroom B
Best Use of Biological Solutions in Crop Protection and Plant Health – Berries
When integrated into crop production and pest management programs, biologicals can offer the potential for higher crop yields and quality than chemical-only programs. Added benefits include reduction or elimination of chemical residues, delay in the development of resistance by pests and pathogens to chemicals, shorter field re-entry and low risk to non-target organisms. Challenges to the adoption of include lack of awareness and education in how to test and deploy their unique modes of action in integrated programs and lingering perceptions of cost and efficacy. This talk will review the product categories for berries and how they are best used.
Grapes Session
Wednesday 3:00 pm, Room 207
Best Use of Biological Solutions in Crop Protection and Plant Health – Vineyards
When integrated into crop production and pest management programs, biologicals can offer the potential for higher crop yields and quality than chemical-only programs. Added benefits include reduction or elimination of chemical residues, delay in the development of resistance by pests and pathogens to chemicals, shorter field re-entry and low risk to non-target organisms. Challenges to the adoption of include lack of awareness and education in how to test and deploy their unique modes of action in integrated programs and lingering perceptions of cost and efficacy. This talk will review the product categories for vineyards and how they are best used.

Prior to joining the Barbados Liaison Service, Ken was employed at Gymnasium Ltd. the premiere sporting facility in Barbados as General Manager. Before that, he spent 21 years in the airline industry where he attained the position of Duty Manager. Ken gained an Upper Second Class Honours Degree BSc in Management Studies from the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies. He also holds a Diploma in Management of Human Resources from Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP) and in 2008 completed the Diploma in Facilities Management in China. As Liaison Officer, he is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Toronto based offices and implementation of policies enunciated by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector in Barbados. His main objective is ensuring that the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) and the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SWAP) are properly maintained and executed here in Canada. Ken’s duties also include visiting and negotiating with all new and perspective employers to ensure the expansion of the above-mentioned programs resulting in the number of Barbadian workers gaining employment on an increased basis in all sectors of employment in Canada.

Labour #1 Session
Wednesday 11:00 am Room 205
SAWP Source Country Update: Panel – Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Paul currently holds the position of Executive Member and has been a director with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture since 2021, representing farmers in Peel, Simcoe and York. For 50 years, he and his wife Louise were dairy farmers in the small bilingual community of Lafontaine just west of Penetanguishene. Today, they raise broiler chickens and grow corn, soybeans, cereal grains and hay, and farm together with their son Alex, who represents the fifth generation of their family on the farm.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Wednesday 10:30 am, Ballroom A
Farm Fresh at Your Market - OFA-FMO Partnership
Presentation on the partnership between the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Farmers’ Markets Ontario to promote farmers’ markets in 2024. Will feature an engaging OFA video and a summary of successful project deliveries.

Jillian is the Supervisor of Food and Logistics for VON – Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP), Southwest Region, where one of Ontario’s largest student nutrition procurement initiatives was developed. With extensive experience in food and Logistics, and public sector procurement, Jillian plays a key role in ensuring that nutrient dense food reaches hundreds of thousands of students daily across the Southwest region. Jillian’s expertise in supply chain management and commitment to supporting local growers has made OSNP a leader in sustainable food procurement. At the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Jillian is looking forward to sharing insights on fostering partnerships between local producers and public institutions to promote healthier communities.

Growing Opportunities in Public Sector Local Food Procurement Session
Thursday 2:15 pm, Room 206
Local Food Procurement in Schools
Discover how Ontario’s institutional sector, particularly local food procurement in schools, is driving demand for locally sourced fruits and vegetables. This session will explore current procurement practices, strategies for increasing Ontario-grown food in public institutions, and actionable steps for growers to strengthen relationships with the public sector. Learn how local producers can capitalize on emerging market opportunities.

Dr. McDonald is a professor in the Dept. of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph. Her research and outreach activities focus on plant diseases, integrated pest management and vegetable production, especially for onions, carrots and garlic. She is also a member of the Ontario Soil Management Committee. Prof. McDonald teaches Plant Agriculture and Plant Disease Epidemiology and supervises several grad students working on plant diseases and vegetable production.

Soil Health and Fertility Session
Thursday 2:00 pm, Room 203
Yield and Quality: Finding the Right Fertilizer Rates for Onions and Carrots
The presentation will provide an overview of nutrient management research in onions and carrots over the past few decades in and around the Holland Marsh. The studies include nitrogen and phosphorous on onions on muck soils, nitrogen on carrots on muck and mineral soils, and new technology for real-time tissue testing for onions and carrots.
Seed Health and Treatment Session
Thursday 3:30 pm, Ballroom B
What’s on Your Seed? Seed-borne Diseases and Seed Treatments of Vegetable Crops
The presentation will discuss seed- borne diseases that are a risk to vegetable crops onions, carrots, cabbage and garlic and cover treatment options such as hot water soaks and chemical seed treatments. The seed treatments that protect seedlings from soil-borne diseases will also be covered.

Wendy has been the tender fruit and grape IPM specialist since 2008 but has been working in the industry since 1990 so she's very experienced.

Tender Fruit Session
Wednesday 11:00 am, Room 206
Peach Leaf Curl 2024: What Worked, What Didn’t and Possible Future Options for Management
Learn about successes and challenges of peach leaf curl management based a grower survey of the effectiveness of control measures used by growers and the peach/nectarine varieties affected in 2024. Possible alternative management strategies will be presented.

With years of expertise in human resources, Shawn focuses on providing customized services tailored to the agricultural sector and small businesses. His mission is to empower organizations by optimizing workforce management, ensuring compliance, and fostering positive workplace cultures for sustainable growth. He possesses a deep understanding of the unique challenges within agricultural HR, offering comprehensive services that include policy development and LMIA assistance. Collaboration with local organizations enables Shawn to effectively meet community needs while maintaining a commitment to excellence. His key services encompass Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA), integrity audits, compliance guidance for the Temporary Foreign Worker program, health and safety advisement, HR policy development, employee handbook creation, recruitment and staffing solutions, and training workshops on HR best practices. Through customized HR solutions, he strives to enhance efficiency and contribute to local economic growth, nurturing talent and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

Labour #1 Session
Wednesday 10:00 am, Room 205
Onboarding Employees (TFWs & Domestic Labour)
Best business practices for ensuring compliance with your employee files.
Labour #2 Session
Thursday 2:30 pm, Room 204
Navigating Processes in the TFW Program: Best Practices and Tips for Employers
Tips and tricks for what you should know about the TFW program from experience and how to efficiently maneuver the paperwork.

Cathy has farmed full time organically along with her husband Gary for more 4 decades. McSmiths Farm has been very diverse growing organic vegetables, eggs, organic grains as well as pastured beef and broiler chickens. Cathy is a verified grower for the FMO My Pick program and has been an organic inspector for many years.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Thursday 2:00 pm, Ballroom A
Benefit of Organics at Your Market
We will have a discussion with regards to customer demand for organic producers at farmers' markets . The importance of signage and knowledge of the organic regulations. Who will be ensuring compliance of these farming practice.

Catherine graduated from the University of Guelph with an MSc in agriculture, specializing in Plant Pathology. She had the dream of becoming an apple grower and along with her husband, she started planting apples in 1980, while both worked full time off the farm. They began their direct market business in 1994. Together they are first generation farmers and have developed their farm from scratch having bought a run-down property. Catherine has been involved in local community activities, as well as industry boards. She has been a director with the Ontario Apple Growers for 20 years and chair of the board for 4 years and served on the boards of CanAgPlus and Summerland Varieties Corporation. For 25 years, she has owned and operated The Apple Doctor Limited which provided IPM consulting for apple growers.

Apple Session
Thursday 3:00 pm, Ballroom C
Finding Your Market Panel
Thirty years ago, we implemented Pick-Your-Own apples at Nature’s Bounty Farm to survive and thrive during a very challenging marketing period in the 1990’s. I will share our experience since then defining our market, attracting customers, fulfilling their expectations and growing the business.

Hugh, Maize Quest’s Maze Master, has been “losing” guests and telling “corny” jokes for 28 years on his home farm. Maize Quest Corn Maze & Fun Park is home to the annual corn maze, HalftoberFest, Lavender Festival, Sunflower Festival, and Wine Your Way Out events. The home farm Maple Lawn Farms welcomes guests to pick-their-own peaches, apples, pumpkins and blueberries throughout the season. In 2015, Hugh launched Maple Lawn Winery to add value to the fruit crop and welcome a new market of wine-loving guests. Maize Quest helps farmers worldwide by designing and cutting corn mazes, building hayride audio systems, and creating blockbuster attractions for the industry, such as the Super Mega Slide and Pig Racing Rides. Hugh has served on the board of NAFDMA, the International Agritourism Association, and his books "31-Day Workforce Turnaround" and "Customers Coming Out of Your Ears," which were both Amazon category best sellers.

Agritourism Ontario Session
Thursday 10:30 pm, Ballroom D
Maximizing Ad Spend, Online Ticketing Revenue & On-site Sales
Hugh from Maize Quest and Sahdi Hayek from TicketSpice dive deep into the data to show hidden secrets for building ticketing, merchandise, food and beverage revenue BEFORE guests arrive at your event. Maximizing pre-event revenue dramatically impacts the value of online marketing campaigns.

Joe is a Product Manager at Zengenti with a strong focus on digital transformation and agile project delivery. He has successfully led the development of high-impact digital projects, including the Crop Protection Hub and the Crop IPM digital platform, both in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness (OMAFA). With a keen interest in driving digital change, Joe approaches each project with an agile mindset, ensuring solutions are both responsive to user needs and adaptable to evolving industry standards. His expertise lies in translating complex requirements into seamless digital experiences, bringing a strategic vision to every project. Joe’s work continues to shape Zengenti’s commitment to impactful digital solutions in the agricultural sector and beyond, making him a vital force in the company’s product delivery team.

Enhancing the Crop Hub & CropIPM Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Room 203
Crop Hub and CropIPM Update: Demo of New Features
Join us for an interactive session focused on refining and enhancing the Crop Hub and CropIPM platforms. This feedback-driven discussion invites users to share insights, experiences, and suggestions that will guide future developments. Together with the team from OMAFA, we’ll explore how these platforms can better support your needs and address emerging challenges. Your input is invaluable in shaping these tools!

John has been with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness as the Business Analysis and Cost of Production Specialist for the past 23 years. He leads financial benchmarking projects and cost of production budgeting information for the Ontario agriculture sector. John has a degree in Agricultural Business from the University of Guelph.

Cost of Production: Machinery Costs Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Room 203
Knowing Your Machinery Costs
Knowing what your machinery costs are and how they contribute to your farm’s total cost is the first step to managing them. This session will look at some machinery cost benchmarks for horticulture operations, how they can be used in managing current on-farm costs and in budgeting for new equipment investment.

Josh is the Provincial Minor Use Coordinator for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness based out of Guelph, Ontario.

Grapes Session
Wednesday 2:30 pm, Room 207
Results of a Chemical Control Trial for Spotted Lanternfly

Paul is the Chief Networker and Idea Creator behind ClēanWorks. A 9th-generation fruit farmer in the Niagara Peninsula of Southern Ontario, Paul is co-owner of Moyers Apple Products, based in Beamsville, Ontario, and established that enterprise in 1990. Moyers Apple Products won an Ontario Centre of Excellence award and received the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence from the Government of Ontario for tackling the issue of food contamination. ClēanWorks is a Niagara based business co-founded with Court holdings, providing food safety solutions for the agriculture sector. It has become recognized as the global leader in innovative technologies for both pre and post harvest crops. Born and raised on the family farm in Vineland, Ontario, he has a BSc in Economics and Marketing from Auburn University and a degree in Microbiology, Alfred State College, SUNY (State University of New York).

Grower Experiences with Robotics & Technology Session
Thursday 10:30 am, Room 203
Clean Works in Practice: A Grower’s Experience

Jeff joined the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness in 2007. Since 2011, Jeff has been working as a Team Lead to support the delivery of Foodland Ontario which is the province’s key domestic marketing program to encourage consumers to identify, ask for and purchase Ontario foods first. Jeff provides team leadership in the planning and execution of communication, marketing and stakeholder relation strategies to support the economic development and competitiveness of Ontario’s agri-food sector. Jeff has also been responsible for leading project teams during the implementation of many elements of the province’s Local Food Act as well as other government local food initiatives.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Thursday 11:30 am, Ballroom A
Foodland Ontario: The Power of Promoting Local
Discover how Foodland Ontario has been connecting consumers with locally grown and made food for over 45 years. This presentation will highlight the program's role in promoting Ontario's agricultural products, supporting local farmers, and encouraging Ontarians to choose local food options. Learn about our initiatives, partnerships, and strategies that celebrate the abundance and diversity of Ontario's food.

Douglas is a fruit entomologist working on vineyard, orchard, small fruit, and most recently, hop systems. Dr. Pfeiffer has a three-way split among the missions of a land-grant university (40:35:25 T/R/E). He teaches Integrated Pest Management courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and a graduate course in Insect Morphology. A main goal of Dr. Pfeiffer’s research program has been to reduce the amount of pesticides applied to fruit crops. His program develops alternative, non-disruptive tactics to control key pests, while improving economic injury levels and action thresholds. Interdisciplinary research on insect-plant interactions has centered on spider mites, aphids, leafhoppers and Japanese beetle on yield and quality in grape and apple. Current research projects involve spotted lanternfly, spotted-wing drosophila, African fig fly and mealybugs in vineyards.

Grapes Session
Wednesday 2:30 pm, Room 207
Results of a Chemical Control Trial for Spotted Lanternfly in Vineyards
A control trial for spotted lanternfly was held in a vineyard with known SLF pressure, in Loudoun County Virginia. Insecticides of several mode of action classes were included. Two applications were made against adults, the most damaging stage. The most effective materials were in pyrethroid, neonicotinoid and organophosphate classes.

David has authored several books, papers and reports, including a book on The Climates of Canada, and two bestsellers: The Day Niagara Falls Ran Dry and Blame It On The Weather. He was the originator and author of the Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar. David frequently appears on national radio and television as a commentator on weather and climate matters. He has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and has twice received the Public Service Merit Award. David is the recipient of three honorary doctorates from the universities of Waterloo and Windsor and Nipissing University. In 2001, David was named to the Order of Canada.

Tender Fruit Session
Wednesday 3:30 pm, Room 206
Tomorrow’s Forecast: Warmer, Wetter, and Wilder – Are you Ready?
Climate extremes such as floods and drought and weather extremes such as intense and lengthy heat spells, hailfalls, and blowdowns appear more frequent and intense, but they also seem to last longer, are out-of-season and out-of-place. What we are seeing is not just a warming up but a destabilisation of historic weather patterns. What is for sure is that we can no longer assume that yesterday’s weather will apply tomorrow. For Ontario fruit and vegetable producers it is not all bad news – there are both challenges and opportunities. Coping with more variable andextreme weather will take more ingenuity and adaptability – something Ontario food producers and agro-business people are good at.
Grapes Session
Thursday 10:00 am, Room 207
Wine Weather Forecast for Ontario: Warmer, Wetter, and Wilder
It’s hard to find an activity more dependent on weather than grape-growing and wine-making. After all you can’t make good wine out of bad grapes. And you can’t really improve on what Mother Nature gives you. A real winner from climate change could be Canadian wines because of favourable growing conditions at home and adverse conditions for competitors abroad. One thing is certain, the future is not going to look like the past. For Ontario wine-grape growers there will be both challenges and opportunities. Coping with warmer, more variable and extreme weather will take more ingenuity and adaptability – something Canadian vintners are good at.

Sudarsana is a Principal Scientist and Adjunct Professor at Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). Sud received his PhD in Plant Pathology from Washington State University. He leads the national grapevine virus testing facility and grapevine clean plant program at Brock University. His research is focused on advanced molecular diagnostics, epidemiology, insect vector-host interactions, and sustainable disease management solutions for plant viral diseases.

Grapes Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Room 207
Recent Advancements and the Importance of Domestic Clean Plant Program for Grapevines in Canada

SAfter growing up on his family's peach farm and earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University, Joe began working for John Deere Company. He learned a lot of about the business of agricultural equipment and, as his family grew, planted firm roots in Niagara leaving corporate life to pursue his own business and acquiring Lakeview Vineyard Equipment. The company is a leading performer in vineyard and orchard equipment sales in Canada and the USA and he is proud to be part of the farming community in Niagara.

Cost of Production: Machinery Costs Session
Wednesday 3:00 pm, Room 203
Getting the Most Out of Farm Mechanization
A detailed and fun analysis of the many ways operations of all sizes get the best return on investment on their 2nd largest capital expenditure. We'll discuss what a 2 acre vineyard in North Carolina has in common with a 200 acre grower in Ontario and how common logic guides their purchase decisions.

Cheryl has played on six of Canada’s World Championship Hockey teams and was named an All-Star Defenseman in 2005. She was also voted the top defenseman at the 2002, 2004, 2005 (MVP) and 2007 Canadian Women’s Hockey National Championships. Her greatest career accomplishments are her two Olympic gold medals from the Salt Lake City and Torino Olympic Games. Cheryl believes it’s always about the journey! That’s the message she shares with every audience and that along the way, change is inevitable. Embracing change and getting outside of our comfort zones is the only path to excellence. Learning from both failures and successes allows us to “Grow for Gold” as true achievement is found in the details. It takes commitment, vision, leadership, teamwork and dedication not just some days but every day! Currently, Cheryl is working as a colour commentary analyst on TSN. Her most recent work included the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, 2014 Olympic Winter Games and 2013 Women’s World Hockey Championships. She is a board member for the Ladies’ First Hockey Foundation and Canadian Women’s Hockey League. As a mother of two daughters, Cheryl has recognized the importance of engaging youth. She is working with Fitspirit, a non-profit organization encouraging young females to ‘get active’ and make healthy lifestyle choices.

Agritourism Ontario Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Ballroom D
Pursuit of Excellence: Growing for Gold – Self Awareness, Leadership and Teamwork
How does one grow and get gold, no matter their situation? Cheryl’s enlightening keynote is interactive, engaging and entertaining. She discusses the importance of building a vision while focusing on participation vs engagement and the importance of seizing every opportunity. Cheryl also focuses on the character dimensions of leadership, the importance of collaboration and how one individual can affect and impact the culture and mission of a group. By sharing information, understanding the importance of Inclusivity and recognizing value, we build culture and efficiency. “|Growing for Gold” involves trusting the process, tough conversations and clarity of the common goal. Thinking differently is essential to excellence.

Cole is the CEO of IntelliCulture and started the company with 2 other co-founders right here in Ontario. He helps ensure the organization stays user centric and is always facilitating feedback and grower's needs. In his prior life, he worked in various engineering and management roles and is excited to be pouring his heart and soul into the agriculture community.

Grower Experiences with Robotics & Technology Session
Thursday 11:00 am, Room 203
Maximum Grower Experiences with Robotics and Technology

Marvin obtained a BS in Biology from Bucknell University in 1978, a MS in Biology from the University of South Carolina in 1980, and a PhD in horticulture at Michigan State University working with wild species of blueberries. Marvin came to Cornell in 1984 as the berry crop specialist with an appointment in extension, research and teaching. He works primarily with production, season extension, and pest management systems in strawberries and raspberries, and has consulted with berry farmers throughout the world.

Berries Session
Wednesday 10:30 am, Ballroom B
Soilborne Disease Management
Berry crops are susceptible to many pathogens. Due to the complexity and multitude of potential soilborne pathogens, targeted pesticide applications are rarely successful. Instead, growers must implement practices that reduce pathogen numbers and create unfavorable environments for pathogen proliferation. These common-sense measures positively impact soil health and will extend the life of a planting.

Jay is a Health & Safety Consultant with WSPS, (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services). He has worked in the Occupational Health & Safety field for 25 years, first with the Farm Safety Association and now with WSPS. Dealing primarily with the agricultural sector over this time he has developed a strong understanding of the uniqueness of the sector and the challenges owners face. Jay has strived to build a solid relationship with every client he has interacted with over the years. A relationship that has been built on trust and respect.

Labour #1 Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Room 205
Effective Health and Safety Representatives
Any business in Ontario with 6 to 19 employees is required to have a Health and Safety Representative. In this session, learn how Representatives are selected, their duties and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and available tools and resources to make them effective.

Dr. Renkema is a Research Scientist in Entomology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Vineland, Ontario. His research program focuses on developing integrated pest management strategies in vineyard, tree fruit, berry and specialty crops. Justin has a PhD from Dalhousie University (2007-2011), was a post-doctoral researcher at University of Guelph (2012-2015) and an Assistant Professor of Entomology at University of Florida (2015-2018). His primary current projects include biological control of spotted wing drosophila in berries, cyclamen mite management in strawberry, leafhoppers and vectors of grapevine red blotch virus in vineyards, mites and flea beetles in hops, and ambrosia beetles in tree fruit.

Hops Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Room 204
Update on Spider Mite Biocontrol and Flea Beetle Distribution in Ontario Hops
Spider mites (Tetranychus) feed on hop leaves early and cause cone browning later in the season. In 2022 and 2023, a single release of the predatory mite Neoseiulus fallacis or a combination Amblyseius andersoni and Neoseiulus californicus provided 50% spider mite control compared to miticides. The invasive hop flea beetle Pyslliodes attenuata was found in 9 of 13 Ontario hopyards in mid-August 2024. Adults are active in early spring feeding on new shoots and in mid summer feeding on leaves and cones.

Brian and his family farms in Chatham-Kent along the north shore of Lake Erie. Manitree Fruit Farms grows berries, tender fruit, apples and vegetables.

Soil Health and Fertility Session
Thursday 3:30 pm, Room 203
Black Magic and Micronutrients: A Grower’s Experience
“An Apple a Day keeps the Doctor away.” Can you imagine what that would look like for a plant? Questions I’ve asked over the years and some of the failures I’ve experienced. Have never occurred been because a plant was healthy, it has been neglect. Every year as I’ve learned to maintain a healthy balance on our farm the plants tell me what they like and don’t like. The naysayers like to call it “Black Magic or Voodoo” in that case come by and let’s see where the chicken bones take us!

Alicia joined the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville in July 2020. She is a Minnesota native with a background in specialty crop marketing research. Her research and extension programs focus on consumer behavior, willingness-to-pay, and perceptions of specialty crops and niche products. She is interested in addressing how people perceive products, interact with them, and the best marketing strategies to add value for customers and businesses alike. She uses eye-tracking technologies and applied economics to generate actionable insights based on these topics of interest. Her current research topics include plant benefit information, native plant perceptions, alternative pest control methods, ecommerce, point-of-sale information, labor, and the economy.

Hazelnuts Session
Wednesday 2:30 pm, Room 204
Selling Local – Consumer Perceptions of Local Products and How to Increase Sales
Promoting products as local has generated value across multiple industries. As such, marketing products as local within the green industry is a way to capture additional retail dollars. In this talk, Alicia addresses how customers perceive local products and how that information can be leveraged to generate additional sales.
Lavender Product Marketing Session
Thursday 10:30 am, Room 205
Using Branding and Marketing Communications to Generate Value
Brands generate value by differentiating products and symbolizing what the customer should expect and will receive from your product/service. A key benefit of branding is generating customer loyalty and repeat sales. In this talk, Alicia discusses branding and how to use your brand to attract more customers and increase sales.

Althea started her career with the government service, holding various positions such as Industrial Relations Officer, Direct of Documentation and Information, before being assigned to the Liaison Service in Canada, as the first female liaison officer in 2005. She was appointed chief liaison officer in 2024. Althea brings a wealth of experience to the position and is determined to make her mark by increasing the number of Jamaican workers travelling to Canada to work on the SAWP, as well as enhancing the services provided to both workers and employers of Jamaican workers.

Labour #2 Session
Thursday 3:00 pm, Room 204
SAWP Source Country Update: The Jamaican Liaison Service
During my presentation, I will outline the roles and responsibilities of the Jamaican Liaison Service, including the services provided to employers and workers on the SAWP. I will also provide information to attendees on how they can employ workers from Jamaica, and inform them on the recent changes made to the Programme by the Government of Jamaica in its effort to enhance and protect the integrity of the programme.

Lindsey received her PhD from Oregon State University in June 2023, where she focused on the impact of kilning and farm parameters on hop aroma and brewing quality in Dr. Tom Shellhammer’s lab. Prior to joining the Shellhammer lab, she received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from California State University, Chico. After graduate school, she was the Quality manager at Hop Valley Brewing Company. Currently, she is the Brewing Innovation Instructor and Lab Manager at the University of Oregon's Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. She is also an active American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) member, serving on the Sensory Technical Committee and the Technical Committee for the MBAA Northwest chapter.

Hops Session
Wednesday 10:30 am, Room 204
Impact of Drying Temperature on Aroma Hop Quality
The popularity of hop-forward beers has heightened interest in how kilning affects hop quality. From 2018 to 2022, we assessed six American hop varieties for the impact of drying temperature on quality. Collaborating with Pacific Northwest hop growers, we evaluated various drying temperatures (120-180°F/49-92°C), bed depths, and locations. Our findings indicate that while aromatic hop chemistry and sensory qualities remain largely unaffected by kilning temperature, dextrin-reducing enzymes are reduced at higher drying temperatures.
Wednesday 11:00 am, Room 204
Impact of Temperature and Other On-Farm Parameters on Hop Quality
American hop growers have traditionally dried hops at 140-155°F (60-68°C) using deep bed kilns (24-32 inches/60-81 cm). However, in the past decade, growers have shifted to lower drying temperatures (125-135°F/52-57°C) for new American aroma cultivars. These reduced temperatures increase drying times and decrease on-farm operational capacity. From 2018 to 2022, we studied the effects of hop drying and other on-farm parameters, including harvest maturity, on hop quality and the energy demands of the drying process.

Brett has recently retired and has been working with Bosys Technologies Inc as a Director of Drainage and Municipal Infrastructure and been involved with data collection using aerial photography. He was the Drainage Superintendent for the Town of Fort Erie and the Town of Niagara on the Lake for a total of 23 years. He was the President of the Ontario Association of Drainage Superintendents in 2009/2010. He has been involved in many aspects of surveying, drainage and municipal infrastructure over the last 40 plus years.

Tender Fruit Session
Wednesday 3:00 pm, Room 206
Optimizing Water Use in Orchards Panel

Irene is a researcher in Plant Pathology in the Department of Sustainable Crop Production at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy. Her research is mainly related to investigate the biology and epidemiology of plant pathogens to develop plant disease models for supporting decision-making processes in crop protection. To date, she has developed and evaluated mechanistic, weather-driven models for fungal pathogens affecting several agronomic, horticultural, and fruit tree crops. Some of these models are currently applied in decision support systems for crop protection within a sustainable approach to agriculture. Her studies also comprise innovative strategies for disease management to increase the sustainability of agricultural practices, including the evaluation of alternatives to pesticides and the exploitation of grapevine resistant varieties. She has been presenting her research results in national and international conferences, and classes for students and field experts though university courses and other teaching activities.

Tender Fruit Session
Wednesday 10:30 am, Room 206
Insights on Biology and Epidemiology of Peach Leaf Curl
Peach leaf curl, caused by Taphrina deformans, is a devastating fungal disease that poses a significant threat to peach production globally. Pathogen life cycle and its relationship with crop growth stages, weather factors, and the environment are explored providing insights on biology and epidemiology of peach leaf curl. This information is fundamental to uptake successful disease management strategies and speed up decision-making in crop protection.
Grapes Session
Thursday 11:00 am, Room 207
A Journey Across Botrytis Bunch Rot Control: From Modeling to Biocontrol Agents Application
The call for agricultural sustainability implies the transition of crop protection practices towards innovative, low-input approaches. Plant disease models and biological products play a key role for the development of new management strategies and the reduction of chemical applications. The use of these tools in a three- step approach (identification of infection risk, choice of the bio-solution, and assessment of environmental suitability) is presented for the control of Botrytis bunch rot in grape.

Dr. Schnabel is a Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist at Clemson University with over 30 years of experience working with pathogens of fruit crops. His research focuses on integrated management of peach and strawberry diseases. Specifically, he studies cultural, biological, and chemical methods to manage peach and strawberry diseases, to extend the productive life span of peach trees, to reduce pesticide risk, and to understand and manage fungicide resistance. He developed and maintains the MyIPM smartphone app for educators, consultants, and growers to facilitate disease diagnostics and communicate IPM principles. He is a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society and has received numerous university, regional and national awards for his research and extension accomplishments.

Tender Fruit Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Room 206
Management of DMI Resistance in Monilinia fructicola, the Causal Agent of Peach
This presentation will cover research results from Ontario peach orchards about DMI fungicide sensitivity in the brown rot fungus Monilinia fructicola and discuss best disease and resistance management strategies.
Berries Session
Wednesday 2:30 pm, Ballroom B
Anthracnose Resistance Issues and Neopest Management in Strawberry
This presentation will cover best management strategies for anthracnose and Neopestalotiopsis disease of strawberry.

A professional potter for over 20 years, Melissa sold works across Canada, the US and as far away as Tokyo. In 2019, she transitioned to working full time for the family farm, Apple Hill Lavender, bringing with her, her expertise in marketing and value added products. Apple Hill Lavender is now selling product across Canada, from coast to coast to coast and into the US. In 2023, her family branched out and opened Apple Hill Apothecary and Medicinal Herb Garden in Niagara-On-The-Lake, offering incredible, small-batch products and agritourism experiences to the Niagara region.

Hazelnuts Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Room 204
Pricing and Promotion for Profit
Learn the ins and outs of pricing your value-added products for profit and how to effectively use social media to thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Theresa owns Garden Party Flower Farm, a 4 acre specialty cut flower farm outside of Kitchener-Waterloo, where she has farmed organically for over 30 years. She completed her PhD in economic geography at the University of Waterloo in 2014, followed by postdoctoral studies in the digitization of food and farming systems, at the Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems. In 2015, she combined her academic studies with her grounded experience as a farmer to launch Open Food Network Canada. For the past 10 years, OFN has deployed open source software solutions to support the movements for local, green and fair food and farming products across Canada. Presently, Theresa is the project lead for OFN's new "open flower network" project. This project seeks to help speciality cut flower farmers connect, scale and succeed in this emerging sector.

Outdoor Cut Flowers Session
Thursday 2:40 pm, Room 205
Overview of the Specialty Cut Flower Sector in Canada
Drawing on the results from a 2024 national survey, Theresa offers a first look into the new and rapidly growing 'field to vase' specialty cut flower sector in Canada, and summarizes the challenges and opportunities the farmers in this sector face.

Ian is a Research Scientist in Entomology and Insecticide Toxicology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) at the London Research and Development Centre. He studies the effects of insecticides and plant-derived metabolites on pest insects with a focus on horticulture crops. His expertise includes insecticide resistance, biopesticide discovery, plant-insect interactions, and chemical ecology. Ian’s current projects focus is on insecticide resistance in Colorado potato beetle (CPB), the use of fungal biopesticides to manage CPB, and the combination of IPM strategies to manage cabbage root maggot in Brassica crops.

Vegetables - Cabbage Maggot Session
Thursday 10:30 am, Room 201
Integrated Pest Management of Delia Radicum Root Maggots
Multiple Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tactics for cabbage root maggots (Delia radicum) were demonstrated in rutabaga fields near Exeter Ontario, 2022 to 2024. Physical barriers (netting) and sterile insect release (SIR) were used singly and in combination at 6 fields. Feeding damage by maggots was assessed over the season to compare the IPM tactics with conventional insecticide applications. The success of the strategies was mainly influenced by the D. radicum population pressure in each year.

Helen, owner of Scutt & Associates, is a highly skilled consultant, trainer and facilitator. She works with non-profit organizations and businesses to provide strategic planning facilitation, organizational development services, board and volunteer training and resource development. For over 30 years, she has worked in the community and economic development sector, helping organizations build their organization's capacity and leadership skills. Helen is an active volunteer and has served on numerous association boards.

Farmers' Markets Ontario Session
Wednesday 2:00 pm, Ballroom A
What Can FMO Do for You – Workshop

Taylor Farms Muskoka is a family run farm established in 1994 producing and offering fresh produce to the Muskoka community and surrounding area. Initially started as a pick-your-own strawberry and market farm, in 2011, the first ‘everbearing’ strawberries were grown and expanded their season and wholesale market. Strawberries continue to be their main focus and crop, but they also grow raspberries, corn, gladiolas, sunflowers, and a variety of herbs and vegetables. All their crops and more can be found at the farm market which opened in 2017.

Berries Session
Wednesday 9:30 am, Ballroom B
Taylor Farms Muskoka Grower Profile
Aaron and Sarah Shaw are co-owners and operators of Taylor Farms Muskoka along side their father, Graham Shaw, who founded the farm in 1994. Taylor Strawberry Farm started as solely a pick your own operation and has grown to now include a full farm market, weekly produce box subscription, and wholesales locally in Muskoka and at the Ontario Food Terminal. Approximately 14 years ago they ventured into everbearing strawberry production and now grow 5 acres of everbearing strawberries all with the use of low tunnels. Low tunnels are essential to their Strawberry production and have become the main focus and integral component of the farm.

Greg is a senior manager with MNP’s Farm Management Consulting group. Drawing on more than 25 years of agricultural experience, he works with medium and large farming operations in all commodities. Greg has extensive knowledge and experience in cost of production, financial projections and government programs. His areas of expertise include intensive livestock and crop production and business consulting to primary producers. His problem-solving techniques and ability to establish strong client relationships gives him the confidence and knowledge to find the best solutions for today’s agriculture operations. Prior to starting his consulting career, he worked for 10 years in the animal feed industry, 5 years with OMAFRA as an extension specialist and for 11 years with a global genetics company where for the last 5 years he was the general manager for North America.

Cost of Production - Machinery Costs Session
Wednesday 2:30 Room 203
Machinery Costs in Horticulture
This session will explore how farmers can effectively use their own accounting data to make informed decisions and enhance their farm operations. Additionally, we will delve into the critical topic of farm equipment management. We will compare the benefits and drawbacks of leasing versus owning farm equipment and introduce the concept of sharing equipment with other farmers. This discussion will provide valuable insights into how different approaches can impact your farm's financial health and operational efficiency.

Gurkirat is a PhD student at The Pennsylvania State University, specializing in plant genetics and physiology. He earned his Master’s degree from The Ohio State University, where his research focused on grapevine genomics and physiology, investigating responses to low temperatures to mitigate mid-winter freezing stress and late-spring frost injury. Currently, at Penn State, Gurkirat is exploring the epigenetic regulation of maize seed development, aiming to uncover mechanisms that influence seed traits.

Grapes Session
Thursday 3:00 pm, Room 207
Potassium Application Impact on Fruit Quality, and Cold Hardiness of Chambourcin
Cold temperatures negatively affect grapevine yield and quality. Potassium has been claimed as a cryoprotectant to improve grapevine cold hardiness. A two-year study evaluated the effects of a liquid potassium fertilizer, ReaX, on Vitis spp. ‘Chambourcin,’ applied between fruit set to veraison stage. While yield components showed no significant changes, potassium-treated vines had higher berry potassium and TSS levels. Significant differences in cold hardiness levels were observed in both dormant seasons.

Dr. Skinkis conducts applied research and provides outreach and education programs for the Oregon wine grape industry statewide. Her research program focuses on applied viticulture and whole plant physiology studies designed to understand management of vine vigor/vine balance and impacts on fruit composition and wine quality. Her research also includes work on wine grape yield, canopy management, rootstocks, vineyard floor management, and understanding factors that drive vineyard production decision-making. As Extension Specialist, Patty develops educational programs and informational publications for the industry in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Her outreach efforts include bringing producers together in technical groups to foster information exchange and she serves on industry advisory committees. Her efforts expand beyond Oregon, as she served as a board member and held leadership positions in the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, is a member of the Extension Committee for the National Grape Research Alliance and is an associated editor for the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture.

Grapes Session
Thursday 2:30 pm, Room 207
Vineyard Nutrition Monitoring Advances with the HiRes Vineyard Nutrition Project
Learn about the national project aimed at finding more efficient and effective ways of monitoring vineyards for nutrient status from improved sampling protocols to integration with precision agriculture.

Graeme is Vendor Development Manager – Loblaw International.

Apples Session
Thursday 9:30 am, Ballroom C
Apple Market Trends & Outlook Panel

Wendy is a Sourcing Manager with Mohawk Medbuy Corporation’s MEALsource program. She has over 30 years of institutional procurement experience and has been working with contracting food for healthcare and student nutrition for 14 years. As well, Wendy has sat on the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council since its inception in 2020 advising the federal government on Food Policy.

Growing Opportunities in Public Sector Local Food Procurement Session
Thursday 3:30 pm, Room 206
Local Food Procurement in Hospitals
To educate growers and food producers about the opportunities to sell Ontario Fruits and Vegetables into public sector institutions.

Glen started Appleflats with his brother Alex in 2016 with a very simple mission: keep a type of Canadian crabapple from disappearing. Together they set out to graft and plant their own crabapple orchard. To support the business, they needed crabapples. So, they began urban harvesting: harvesting from city streets, homeowners, colleges, etc.

Apple Session
Thursday 3:00 pm, Ballroom C
Finding Your Niche or New Market Opportunities Panel
Finding hidden value in unique apple flavours, harvesting options, branding and product offerings.

Born and raised in Newcastle, Ontario, Courtney is currently a co-owner of Wilmot Orchards along with her two business partners. Today the farm is comprised of approximately 164 acres of orchard and 35 acres of pick-your-own blueberries. Courtney attended the University of Guelph receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2010 and in 2012, received a diploma in Photography from Fanshawe College. As the CCO, Courtney is responsible for marketing the blueberries, hiring and training the team, guest experience, social media, product development, branding and organizing events. Some of her achievements include Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association Board of Directors; First and youngest female President of The Bowmanville Lions Club 2016 – 2018; Judge Brian Stevenson Award – Lions Clubs International; Presidents’ Award Coaching Certificate – Hina Khan Method Coaching.

Berries Session
Thursday 9:30 am Ballroom B
Wilmot Blueberries Grower Profile
How creating a business based on authenticity and the things you love streamlines your marketing.

Bill is a Senior Relationship Manager in the St. Catharines office for Farm Credit Canada. He is in the Ag Production division of FCC, with a major presence of tender fruit and vineyard producers in his portfolio. Bill works with growers to determine best ways to complete farm purchases, equipment purchases, construction projects, planting, and other capital expenditures, working capital needs whether through cash, leasing, or financing the project.

Cost of Production: Machinery Costs Session
Wednesday 3:30 pm, Room 203
Financing Machinery Dos and Don’ts
Much like the machinery itself, equipment financing has grown and evolved. With the increased equipment costs the impact to your operation has also grown. This presentation will give you the confidence you need to make the right decision and weigh the appropriate risks as you choose how and if to finance.

Alan is a Professor of Seed Science and Technology at Cornell AgriTech and started at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in 1981. Taylor’s research program can best be described as “modern seed technology” with many well-organized projects for multiple stakeholders. His responsibilities include 80% research with emphasis on post-harvest topics including seed quality, seed treatment and coatings. Alan has 20% extension/outreach responsibility.

Seed Health and Treatment Session
Thursday 2:30 pm, Ballroom B
Vegetable Seed Quality, Seed Treatments and Coatings
The focus of the talk is on vegetable seed technology. The importance of starting with a high quality seed lot, and maintaining high quality seed during storage. The effects of storage temperature and relative humidity will be highlighted. He will provide a description and illustrations of vegetable seed coating technologies, followed by two case studies on new chemistry seed treatment (organic seed treatment insecticide, Spinosad and copper fungicide).

Julie is the visionary behind Hereward Farms, a serene 250-acre oasis in East Garafraxa, Ontario, where she transformed her family’s traditional cash crop farm into a thriving destination for lavender and sunflower lovers. With over 6,000 lavender plants and 400,000 sunflowers, Julie has made sustainability and natural beauty the cornerstones of her mission. In 2021, Julie sold her successful marketing agency to dedicate herself full-time to Hereward Farms. She blended her entrepreneurial expertise with a passion for clean, natural living. She is known for her commitment to creating all-natural, eco-friendly skincare and home products and has earned accolades in publications like Vogue and Vanity Fair. Rooted in her community, Julie draws inspiration from her local surroundings to craft experiences and products that bring joy and relaxation to her customers. Under her leadership, Hereward Farms has blossomed into a symbol of beauty, sustainability, and innovation.

Lavender Session
Wednesday 2:30 pm, Room 205
Panel on Festivals and Events
Lavender Product Marketing Session
Thursday 10:00 am, Room 205
Lavender Product Marketing Experiences

Stephanie is the Sustainability Specialist for Horticulture Crops with the OMAFA based in Vineland, Ontario. She works with growers, industry, and researchers to assess new practices and technologies that improve sustainable production in Ontario’s horticulture sectors. Her current work focuses on soil management, cover crops, and efficient nutrient use. Prior to joining OMAFA she worked at Sebastian Farms, a vineyard operation growing 1500 acres of wine grapes in the Okanagan Valley, BC. Stephanie received her BSc in Environmental Science and MSc in Soil Science from the University of Guelph.

Grapes Session
Thursday 3:30 pm, Room 207
Lessons Learned: Under Vine Cover Crops in Ontario
Summary of two years of under vine cover crop research in Ontario including results, lessons learned, and plans for the future.

Bridget is a Territory Manager for Stokes Seeds, trialing and selling vegetable seed and flower cuttings in Ontario. Her family's farm grew carrots, onions, and greens. She holds a MSc and BSc (Agr.) from University of Guelph. Past professional endeavours include vegetable washwater management with OMAFA, IPM, food safety, and horticultural research projects.

Seed Health and Treatment Session
Thursday 3:00 pm, Ballroom B
Vegetable Seed Treatments in Ontario: The Commercial Perspective

Shirley is an Assistant Liaison Officer at the Consulate General of Barbados/Barbados Liaison Service. She has worked with all aspects of the Temporary Foreign Workers Programme since 1990. Shirley is very passionate in developing strong relationships in everything that she does both professionally and personally. During the past 34 years, she has enjoyed travelling all over Canada securing job opportunities for persons from Barbados and assisting employers in Canada to source employees when they have Labour issues.

Labour #1 Session
Wednesday 11:00 am Room 205
SAWP Source Country Update: Panel – Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Ben is a Vegetable Extension Educator with Michigan State University, where he has the privilege of serving West Michigan's vegetable growers.

Vegetables - Cabbage Maggot Session
Thursday 10:30 am, Room 201
Leaving Out Lorsban and Controlling Cabbage Maggot
On again-off again-on again-off again. Michigan's root crop growers have been riding the roller coaster of chlorpyrifos' shifting legal status, as they try to grow marketable turnips, radishes and rutabagas. Hear lessons learned as Michigan State University partners with growers to explore chlorpyrifos alternatives.

Dr. Willwerth is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and a Researcher in the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute at Brock University. The major component of his research program is focused on grapevine cold hardiness physiology and understanding how to maximize cold hardiness in V. vinifera and to further understand woody plant cold hardiness physiology and response to environmental conditions during dormancy. He has an extensive program on grapevine evaluations including new cultivars, clones and rootstocks and how genotypes can impact cold hardiness, vine performance and wine quality. He also has over a decade of experience with effective technology transfer to the grape grower community.

Grapes Session
Thursday 10:30 am, Room 207
ABA and Cold Hardiness in Grapes
Thursday 2:00 pm Room 207
Grape Vine Rootstocks for Ontario