Archives: Speakers

Bikram Kumar Das, Ph.D.

Feed, Forage, and Environmental Department Supervisor

Ward Laboratories, Inc.

Dr. Bikram Kumar Das is a Supervisor in the Feed, Forage, and Environmental Department at Ward Laboratories, Inc., where he leads a team conducting over 48 different types of tests on a wide range of agricultural samples. He is a key member of the research and development team, driving innovation to enhance testing accuracy and turnaround time. Dr. Das holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from South Dakota State University, specializing in soil microbiology and nutrient cycling. His previous experience managing complex next-generation sequencing projects as a post-doc at the university’s Genomics Sequencing Facility provided him with a strong foundation in data analysis and project customization. Dr. Das brings valuable expertise and a commitment to advancing laboratory testing methods to his role at Ward Laboratories.

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Adam Borchard

Director of Government and Public Policy

California Fresh Fruit Association

Adam Borchard is the Director of Government and Public Policy at the California Fresh Fruit Association, a voluntary trade association representing growers, packers, and shippers of 13 fresh-market crop commodities, namely table grapes, stone fruit, cherries, apples, pears, blueberries, figs, kiwifruit, persimmons, and pomegranates. His federal and state legislative and regulatory policy portfolio includes pesticide, water supply and management, air quality, and labor issues. Prior to joining CFFA in March 2020, Adam worked in government relations in Sacramento at the Association of California Water Agencies, where his policy portfolio focused on agricultural usage, water quality, and drinking water.

Adam grew up in northern California, where he earned his B.S. degree in environmental sciences from UC Davis and a law degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Adam is an Eagle Scout, a graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, and a member of the Rotary Club of Fresno.

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Tom Shibley

Agronomist

Townsend Farms

Tom Shibley is an experienced agronomist at Townsend Farms, where he develops innovative fertilizer and spray plans for organic and conventional blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry production. With a career spanning over two decades, Tom’s expertise includes soil fertility, cover crops, and regenerative agriculture strategies.

A Certified Crop Advisor since 1998 and holder of an Oregon Pesticide Consultant License, Tom is committed to advancing sustainable farming practices. He has a Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture with minors in Crop Science, Soil Science, and Animal Science, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Oregon State University. A strong advocate for soil health and precision agriculture, Tom leverages his skills to help growers enhance productivity while promoting environmental stewardship.

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Jason Peace

Farm Manager

Home Nursery

Jason Peace is the Tennessee Farm Manager at Home Nursery, bringing extensive experience in the green industry to his role. His background includes positions as potting manager and production manager at various production nurseries, as well as managing retail greenhouse operations. Jason joined Home Nursery shortly after the acquisition of its growing facility in McMinnville, TN, where he oversees all day-to-day farm activities, including potting, spacing, trimming, and fertilizer and pesticide applications. He also maintains a rigorous integrated pest management (IPM) program to ensure top-tier plant quality. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Morehead State University.

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Dr. Arianna Bozzolo

Research Director

Rodale Institute California Organic Center

Dr. Arianna Bozzolo is the Research Director at the California Organic Center, Rodale Institute, where she leads cutting-edge agricultural research initiatives. With a PhD in Viticulture, a Master’s in Entomology, and a Bachelor’s in Horticulture, Dr. Bozzolo combines her interdisciplinary expertise to design and execute innovative field trials. Her work focuses on advancing sustainable farming practices, improving crop yields, and enhancing soil health.

With extensive experience in managing research programs and mentoring teams, Dr. Bozzolo is passionate about bridging science and practice. At the BioSolutions Conference, she will share practical insights into setting up impactful research trials, from planning and design to implementation and data analysis, ensuring robust outcomes that drive innovation in agriculture.

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Dr. Lauren Jones

Senior Research Associate

Noble Research Institute

Dr. Lauren Jones is a biochemist with experience in studying nutrient cycling and microbes. Lauren is on the pecan research team that is working with producers in Texas and Oklahoma to assess levels of soil health, ecosystem resilience, and increased profit per acre across a continuum of orchard management strategies. More info about the pecan research project can be found here: https://www.noble.org/pecan-strategy-research/

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Alex Traven

Owner & General Manager

Peace Tree Farm

Alex Traven is the General Manager and second-generation owner of Peace Tree Farm in Kintnersville, Pennsylvania. Alex has been involved in precision horticulture since birth and studied Plant Science at Cornell University. At Peace Tree, Alex has implemented a comprehensive and continually evolving approach to Biocontrol that remains at the forefront of the industry. A true Biocontrol Lifer, Alex is excited to share in creating the future of this industry.

Peace Tree Farm is a premier propagator and grower of hundreds of varieties of organic herbs and edibles, unique garden and house plants, custom growing, and much more. They are a small company with an outsized impact on the Horticulture Industry. For almost twenty years they have been industry leaders in adoption and advancement of Biocontrols and frequently collaborate with researchers, industry experts, and producers. They have also led the charge of promoting greenhouse automation technology for smaller-scale growers.

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Patrick Freeze, Ph.D.

Director of Research and Development, Soil/Soil Health Testing

Ward Laboratories, Inc.

Dr. Patrick Freeze is the Director of Research and Development – Soil/Soil Health Testing at Ward Laboratories in Kearney, Nebraska. In this role, he leads method development, conducts soil and plant research, and provides education and support to growers. Prior to joining Ward Laboratories, Patrick was an R&D Scientist at Matrix Sciences in Central Washington State, where he developed testing methods for soil, soil health, and apple tissue for large consulting groups.

Patrick earned his PhD in Soil Chemistry from Washington State University, where his research focused on using artificially modified soil amendments to reduce plant uptake and mitigate heavy metal exposure risks in contaminated orchard soils. As a USDA NIFA Needs Fellow, he received advanced training in soil carbon characterization techniques in southern Italy. Additionally, he spent a year as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar working on reducing cadmium uptake in rural Thailand’s rice paddies. Patrick holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Nevada – Reno, with a specialization in forest soil science, environmental policy, and green chemistry.

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Marie Turner

Creative Director and Head of Science Communications

Impello Biosciences

Marie Turner has been an agroecosystems scientist and educator for more than twenty years. She holds a BS in horticulture and business, an MFA in English, and a PhD in Plant Genetics and Breeding. She has worked in multiple areas of agriculture from the USDA to industry, to academia and extension, and has experience with a wide variety of growing environments and crops. Most recently she was part of an NSF-funded grant and studied the regulatory, scientific and grower-perception landscape of agricultural microbial products. She now works as the Head of Scientific Communications for Impello Biosciences, a biostimulant company focused on improving the reputation and efficacy of biological products via the production of credible field data. She is passionate about bringing practical information to growers and advisors and thinking in novel ways about the prevention of pests, pathogens and the development of resistance.

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Anthony Bella

Agronomist

Taylor Farms

Anthony Bella is an agronomist with a robust background in agricultural research and production. He grew up farming apples with his family on the Central Coast of California in Corralitos and Watsonville. His passion for agriculture took him to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where he received a B.S. and M.S. degree in Crop and Soil Science. During his time in school, he worked for several years with the Cal Poly Strawberry Center as a Field Research and Production Assistant. For his thesis, he tackled the topic of nutrient and irrigation management in broccoli where he used ET irrigation recommendations to maximize nutrient use efficiency. He finished schooling in 2023 and started right away as an Agronomist with Taylor Farms where he continues to approach questions regarding nutrient use efficiency, plant and soil health, sustainability, and integrated pest management on a commercial scale.

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