Agenda

Registration Hours

Expo Floor Open

Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall

Welcome

Location: Tuscany A/B

Join Carol Miller, Conference Chair, as she welcomes you to the 2023 BioSolutions Conference & Expo in Reno and sets the stage for 1 1/2 days of education on developments in pest management, soil- and plant-health solutions, application technology and strategies, new biological products/solutions, and more.

Carol Miller
Conference Chair and Editor
Meister Media Worldwide

Plant Symbionts™: A New Technology for Production of Biomolecules and Delivery of Plant-Based Therapeutics

Location: Tuscany A/B

Citrus greening has devastated the Florida orange industry. These three scientists will discuss nanobodies, a breakthrough biological technology that promises to stop citrus greening (and potentially any viral or bacterial-based disease) in its tracks. Not only does this new technology move from positive greenhouse results to field trials in 2023, but Drs. Heck, Shatters, and Pitino also developed a cost-effective delivery system, one that future commercial partners can bring to market relatively quickly.

 

New Product Showcase

Location: Tuscany A/B

This show favorite returns! Biological tools can be extremely effective no matter what crop you grow, and new biopesticides, beneficials, and biostimulants are available to help solve your pressing problems. This session will showcase many of the new and upcoming biological product introductions you need to know for the 2023 season, giving you an advanced look at new products hitting the market.

New innovations in the Certis Biologicals Entomopathogenic Fungi Portfolio – Certis Biologicals
Amanda Eade, Global Portfolio Manager 

PathoCURB – KEMIN | CROP TECHNOLOGIES
Michael Hull, Technical Services Manager  

Theia fungicide Specialty Crops – AgBiome
Brooke Bissinger, Theia Product Manager  

Tidal Grow Spectra – Tidal Grow AgriScience 
Ricki Schneider, Business Development & Research

Apical Nutritional Stress Diagnostics – Apical Crop Science LLC
David Knaus, President and Founder

Visit the Expo Hall and Networking Break

Location: Expo Hall

How to Educate Buyers and Consumers About Biologicals

Location: Tuscany A/B

In many production systems, growers and crop care professionals try their best to incorporate new technologies to produce crops in an ecologically sound way. Although biological solutions and integrated pest management strategies are widely used, the story isn’t reaching customers and consumers. Consumer education can have a significant influence on sustainable food production.

A grower, industry partner, and retailer from the front lines offer insight on sustainable food production and consumer attitudes.

Active Ingredient Mini-Session (Beauveria bassiana)

Location: Tuscany A/B

Jen Browning
Tech Service Representative, Western Region, BASF

New Product Showcase

Location: Tuscany A/B

This show favorite returns! Biological tools can be extremely effective no matter what crop you grow, and new biopesticides, beneficials, and biostimulants are available to help solve your pressing problems. This session will showcase many of the new and upcoming biological product introductions you need to know for the 2023 season, giving you an advanced look at new products hitting the market.

BotryStop WP – BioWorks Inc.
Michael Brownbridge, Biological Program Manager  

Taegro 2 – Novozymes BioAg

Afrikelp O-LG1 – AFRIKELP USA
Joaquin Orellana, Managing Director  

In Terra Bio (Biome RX) – Agro Bio USA
Marc Lajeunesse, President and Founder

Lunch

Location: Expo Hall

Enjoy lunch and do a deep dive into the BioSolutions Expo Hall to learn more about solutions that will make a difference in your business in 2023.

The Importance of Scouting in a Biocontrols Program

Location: Tuscany A/B

Controlling pests with a biologicals approach requires preventative rather than curative action. Due to this, a detailed scouting program is critical. Luxom, the IPM Supervisor at one of the nation’s leading floriculture operations, offers tips on how to set up and manage a scouting program.

Andrew Luxon
Integrated Pest Management Supervisor
Four Star Greenhouse Inc.

Bio-Based Solutions for Managing Major Walnut Pests

Location: Tuscany 2/3

Walnut growers are adopting integrated pest management (IPM) practices in their farms to effectively manage insect pests and diseases. In this talk, we will discuss the success of bio-based options in managing important walnut pests such as walnut husk fly, spider mites, codling moth, and navel orangeworm. How farmers can incorporate multiple practices into the annual pest management program for healthy crop production will also be of discussion.

Dr. Jhalendra Rijal
Pest Management Advisor
University of California Cooperative Extension & Statewide IPM Program

A Grower Perspective on Keeping Up With an Evolving Biologicals Market

Location: Tuscany A/B

Starting a biocontrols program at your greenhouse is one thing; keeping it up to date and evolving it is another. It’s important to build a solid foundation of biocontrol knowledge with your employees to assure that they are set up for the most success as possible before being relied upon to apply and scout within your program. Learn how the team at Foertmeyer & Sons in Ohio stays on top of the latest developments in biologicals, and how the company trains both its current staff and new team members on using biocontrols.

Matt Foertmeyer
Head Grower
Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse

Biological Treatment of Fire Blight

Location: Tuscany 2/3

Fire blight is a disease of apple and pear that, if left unchallenged, can swiftly destroy an orchard in a single growing season. Given that most apple cultivars grown in the U.S. are to some degree susceptible to fire blight, cultural practices and grower input (whether conventional or biological) are important for maintaining control of this disease.

Strickland provides information on the fundamentals of fire blight and its causal bacterium, Erwinia amylovora, as well as specific, actionable advice for growers regarding effective management of fire blight in their orchards.

David Strickland
Graduate Research Assistant
Cornell AgriTech

Active Ingredient Mini-Session (Entomopathogenic fungi)

Location: Tuscany A/B

Lee Schaber
Key Account Manager, Garden/Greenhouse, Certis Biologicals

Active Ingredient Mini-Session (Bacteriophage)

Location: Tuscany 2/3

Ryan Benson
Director of Business Development, AgriPhage Bactericide

Disease Control in Ornamentals Using Biocontrols

Location: Tuscany A/B

The use of biocontrols to manage foliar pathogens, such as botrytis, is still in its infancy. Many products demonstrate their potential efficacy in Petri dishes, but often fail in real-world scenarios. This presentation will highlight strategies and products that are proving to work well in horticulture production systems and thus provide alternative approaches to conventional, preventative fungicide applications.

James Faust
Professor
Clemson University

Spotted Lanternfly and Its Threat to California Crops and Landscapes

Location: Tuscany 2/3

Invasion of alien pest species and their spread, including spotted lanternfly, is becoming more common in the globalized world of trade and travel.  Research shows that classical biological control, which plays a major role in addressing invasive pest problems, does not seem to be an option for spotted lanternfly control due to the lack of specificity of the imported natural enemies that are being studied. Under these circumstances, integrated pest management (IPM) is the best strategy that not only explores various control options and regulatory approaches but also involves social aspects of public awareness and contribution in mitigating the spread of such pests.

Dr. Surendra Dara
Professor and Director
North Willamette Research and Extension Center
Oregon State University

Networking Break

Location: Expo Hall

Time to stretch your legs, grab some refreshments and explore the Expo floor.

What Nematodes Know About Soil Health

Location: Tuscany A/B

There are many different types of nematodes, some beneficial, some detrimental to crop health. Join one of the country’s leading nematode specialists as he explains how to use the metazoan types to understand your soil health.

Dr. Jon Eisenback
Professor and Director
Virginia Tech Nematode Assay Lab

Living Soils/How Knowing Your Plant’s Rooting Environment Can Help You Produce a Better Plant

Location: Tuscany 2/3

Attend this session to learn the many steps growers can take to improve their plant quality and yield, and it often starts by managing the soil environment. Re-using media, for example, can help you better utilize biostimulants and beneficial insects.

Tad Hussey
Owner
KIS Organics

Managing Corn Earworm Biologically

Location: Tuscany A/B

Corn earworm is a serious vegetable and hemp pest. Join Dr. Britt as she discusses her work on which biological products and methods have proven effective.

Dr. Kadie Britt
Postdoctoral Scholar
UC Riverside Department of Entomology

Important Recent Research Updates on Bio and Cannabis

Location: Tuscany 2/3

Since cannabis is still not gaining national support in the U.S., scientists do not have access to much of the traditional research funding. That doesn’t mean important work isn’t taking place. In this session, you’ll get an update on the research results you need to know.

Suzanne Wainwright Evans
Owner
Buglady Consulting

Active Ingredient Mini-Session (Yeast-derived products)

Location: Tuscany A/B

Vince Wertman
Technical Sales Manager for North America, Agrauxine

Active Ingredient Mini-Session (Azadirachtin)

Location: Tuscany 2/3

Julie Graesch
Biological Program Manager, BioWorks Inc.

Watermelon Productivity and Plant Health Using Grafting and Trichoderma-containing Biofungicide

Location: Tuscany A/B

Despite disease-resistant watermelon cultivars’ availability, soil-borne pathogens such as Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), remain the top threats to watermelon production, resulting in continuously increased use of soil fumigants. Worse, with earlier watermelon plantings for a rapid market presence, reports of infection of other soil-borne diseases increased. Watermelon grafting and biological pesticide can enhance yield and safeguard plant health while securing soil and water quality. Research shows multiple economic and horticultural benefits of using grafted watermelon plants with multi-pathogen resistant rootstocks and applying Trichoderma-containing biofungicide.

Dr. Zheng Wang
Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor
University of California Cooperative Extension

Battling Botrytis Biologically

Location: Tuscany 2/3

Michael Brownbridge
Biological Program Manager
BioWorks Inc.

Networking Reception

Location: Expo Hall

Registration Hours

Expo Hall Hours

Continental Breakfast in Expo Hall

Welcome to Day Two!

Grab a cup of coffee and prepare for another morning of great education with our general session conference program focused on new biological techniques, food safety, and real-world grower perspectives.

The Latest Application Technologies for Biologicals

Location: Tuscany A/B

Biological control agents (BCAs), beneficial insects, mite, and insect predators are a hot topic among growers looking to reduce their pesticide use and environmental impact. No matter how plants are being grown – in the greenhouse, in the field, or even warehouse production – there exists a BCA release strategy appropriate for that setting. This presentation will review traditional methods alongside some exciting developments in the field of BCA release technology.

Erica Hernandez
CEA GGSPro Specialist
Griffin Greenhouse Supplies

The Challenge of Bioproducts with Multiple Functions

Location: Tuscany A/B

Traditional chemistries fall neatly into specific categories — insecticides are insecticides and fertilizers are fertilizers. Biological products involve living organisms that did not get that memo. Find out from industry insiders how their companies handle regulations and research, and how that impacts what they can and cannot claim.

Active Ingredient Mini-Session (Amino Acids)

Location: Tuscany A/B

Randy Dodds
National Sustainable Products Manager, Brandt

Tips on Vetting New Products

Location: Tuscany A/B

Metrolina Greenhouses is one of the nation’s largest controlled-environment operations, but it doesn’t tread lightly when it comes to using biologicals. Learn how the company vets potential products to determine whether they would be a good fit.

Juan Ponce
Director of Horticulture
Metrolina Greenhouses

Networking Break

Location: Expo Hall

Take the opportunity for one more visit to the Expo to meet with our top-notch exhibitors, follow up with speakers, and connect with your grower peers.

How to Use Biostimulants to Reduce Fertilizer Use

Location: Tuscany A/B

Fertilizer prices remain very high and represent a much larger expense for growers than they have in the past. There are increasing concerns not only about fertilizer affordability, but about availability as well. Reducing the use of fertilizers seems prudent, but can this be done while maintaining crop quality and meeting tight scheduling windows? We are hearing more about biostimulants and how they can promote plant growth, but can fertilizer levels really be reduced? There is a lot more we need to learn about how different biostimulants work and how they are affected by other production inputs and greenhouse environmental conditions, but the short answer is yes.

The Exciting Future of Technology in Biologicals

Location: Tuscany A/B

Pam Marrone travels the world, meeting those creating the most exciting advances in using biological products in crop production. She will share not only what’s coming for us in the future, but what’s already on our doorstep.

Dr. Pam Marrone
Executive Chair & Cofounder
Invasive Species Corporation

Conference Adjourns

Post-Conference Intensive A:
Building Your Own Insectary

Location: Tuscany A/B

(Additional $145 Fee)

Have you been thinking about building an in-house insectary? There are many challenges with rearing beneficials, it is a complex system. This workshop will help you evaluate whether your operation is suited for such an undertaking. Also covered will be where to find the limited available information, costs on getting started, and other resources. You will hear from growing operations that have moved this direction, and their challenges, success and failures.

Post-Conference Intensive B:
Unlocking Your Soil’s Potential

Location: Tuscany 2

(Additional $145 Fee)

Soil health comes down to understanding what you have in your fields, what you need to do to access those resources and timing. Noel Garcia, Certified Crop Adviser (CCA), Senior Consultant, and COO of TPS Lab, will demystify the process and walk you through how macro- and micro-nutrients and organic matter impact your crop’s yield and quality.

Noel Garcia
Chief Operating Officer
TPS Lab