See Biological and Regenerative Classes Perfect for Vegetable Growers

Farming techniques using biologicals and adopting regenerative practices are advancing at lightning speed. The team at American Vegetable Grower and its sister publications, American Fruit Grower, Greenhouse Grower, and CEAg World have curated the topics growers need most to succeed with these softer methods and products. The topics will be at the center of discussions at the BioSolutions 2025 Conference and Expo in Fresno, CA, Feb. 18-20. Here are several biological and regenerative classes perfect for vegetable production on tap at the BioSolutions 2025 Conference and Expo.

Advancing Biocontrol: Practical Considerations for Vegetable and Strawberry Arthropod Pests. Join Dr. Tom Bilbo, Assistant Professor, Vegetable & Strawberry Entomology, Clemson University, for a session combining research insights with case studies that focus on practical advice on getting strong results from predatory beneficial insects. Dr. Bilbo will discuss real world results in tomatoes, strawberries, and brassicas with pests like spider mites, diamondback moth.

Harnessing Trichoderma: Advanced Biofungicides for Soilborne Disease Control. Soilborne pathogens are a growing challenge for many specialty crops, particularly celery and strawberries in California, where fungal species in the rhizosphere can severely reduce yields. Dr. Eliazar Blanco Rodrigues, Technical Services Manager, BioWorks, explores the benefits of Trichoderma-based products in managing root diseases, with two case studies on integrating biofungicides to combat Fusarium wilt in these crops.

Maximizing the Impact of Beauveria Bassiana: Selecting the Right Strain for Pest Control. Not all strains of Beauveria bassiana are equally effective. James Newberry, National Sales Manager, Anatis Bioprotection, will explore how selecting the appropriate strain can strengthen your pest management approach, reduce resistance, and optimize your biological IPM program. Practical insights will help you integrate this beneficial fungus into your operation.

Application Update: Advanced Tools for the Release of Macro BCAs. Popular speaker Kelly Vance, U.S. Sales Manager, BioBee USA, will help you discover best practices for applying biological products on a larger scale, including strategies for implementing biocontrol, understanding advanced release systems, and selecting the right application methods tailored to your specific crop needs. Delve into the latest distribution systems of macro biologicals such as blowers, sachets, “pods”, blister packs, as well as air and ground-based drones.

Maximizing Crop Immunity: Best Practices for Activating Systemic Acquired Resistance. Greg Rogers, Technical Marketing Manager, Certis Biologicals, will guide you through the key strategies for maximizing Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) in crops, focusing on the timing of applications, selecting the right products, and optimizing tank mix partners. Attendees will learn how to trigger the immune response for enhanced crop protection and understand best IPM practices with SAR products to improve resilience against pests and diseases.

Unlocking the Power of Plasma-Activated Water for Stronger, Healthier Crops. Explore how plasma-activated water (PAW) enhances seed germination, seedling vigor, and crop resistance to arthropod pests. Dr. Christian Nansen, Professor Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, will present recent research on PAW’s effects on crop health, its potential to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and its ability to improve the performance of pesticides and biopesticides. Attendees will gain an understanding of this emerging technology and its practical applications in agriculture.

Regenerative Farming at Any Scale: Maximizing Impact on Any Budget. Discover how regenerative farming practices can be implemented across a variety of farm sizes and budgets. Chuck Schembre, Regenerative Farming and Soil Health Consultant, Understand AG and The Soil Health Institute, will guide attendees through practical, cost-effective ways regenerative systems can reduce inputs while improving soil health and farm productivity.

Soil, Water, Plant, and Solar’s Hidden Secrets: Functional Carbons and Three Decades of Dynamic, Applied Research Outcomes for Soil Health, Disease Suppression, Fertilizer, and Water-Use Efficiencies. Discover the hidden intelligence of soil, water, plants, and solar energy through three decades of dynamic, applied research rooted in collaboration with growers. Dr. Mir Seyedbagheri, Director of Research and Development, Bio-Gro, Inc., explores how functional carbons and humic acids enhance soil health, nutrient and water-use efficiencies, and natural disease suppression. Gain actionable insights backed by research, including increased N, P, K efficiencies, improved water-use, and biofungicides’ role in fortifying plant resilience — all designed to drive better yields and sustainability.

Climate-Smart Solutions for Higher Yields: The Role of Biostimulants in Regenerative Farming. As climate change escalates, growers increasingly seek solutions that protect the environment while ensuring profitability. Dr. Bikram Kumar Das, Feed, Forage, and Environmental Department Supervisor, Ward Laboratories, explores the transformative potential of biostimulants in regenerative farming. Discover how these innovative tools can enhance soil health, boost crop resilience to stress, and increase yields—all contributing to improved financial outcomes. Gain practical insights into integrating biostimulants into your farm’s climate adaptation strategies and learn how they can advance both sustainability and economic success.

Financing Your Farm’s Future: Grants, Investments, and Sustainable Practices. Discover how to secure funding for sustainable farming practices with insights from Don Cameron, Vice President and General Manager, Terranova Ranch. He’ll break down which grants have helped finance his conservation efforts, how he navigated the application process, and when personal investments were necessary. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on financing sustainability and learn how to replicate these strategies on their own farms.

Decoding Regenerative Certifications: Navigating the Path to Sustainable Farming. With numerous certifications available, how do you decide which ones truly benefit your operation? In this session, Taylor Farms’ Anthony Bella (Agronomist), Wyatt Maysey (Director of Sustainability), and John McKeon (Director of Organic Integrity and Compliance) share their process for evaluating certifications based on customer demand, ag tech, biological products in use, and evolving policies. This session will show how certification impacts your triple bottom line and marketing strategy.

• Learn how these decisions tie into ESG reporting, marketing, and staying competitive
• Decide how to align certification choices with customer needs and market trends
• Discuss the role of ag tech and biologicals in fulfilling certification requirements

Click here to learn more about and register for the BioSolutions 2025 Conference and Expo.