The event, to be held at 1864 Shyville Road, aims to provide both novice and experienced growers with insights into advanced production techniques.

Attendees will learn about orange rust-resistant cultivars, cover crops and beneficial microbes for tomatoes, long cane raspberry production systems, hardy fig cultivation, and grape production.

The event is supported by various agricultural grants and organizations, including Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association (OPGMA), the Ohio Vegetable & Small Fruit Research & Development Program (OVSFRDP), the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, and the USDA-NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture).

Registration is $25. For more information and to register, visit go.osu.edu/fieldnight or call 614-247-9680. For accommodation requests, contact Bradford Sherman at sherman.1473@osu.edu.

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With origins as a marketing cooperative for strawberries, Naturipe has since transformed into a vertically integrated company owned by four distinct growing organizations. Its extensive network of growers cultivates blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries and even avocados. 

Today, Naturipe is a large producer of organic blueberries, with year-round production sourced from prime growing regions in California, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Washington, Peru, Chile and Mexico. 

Earth-first philosophy 

Being organic is one part of the company’s strong commitment to the environment and sustainability.  “Naturipe growers use many practices to minimize their environmental footprints,” said Janis McIntosh, director of marketing innovation and sustainability for Naturipe Farms. “From good soil management to state-of-the-art technology, if it makes sense, they will implement it.” 

On the farm, sustainability practices include water management, integrated pest management (IPM), composting, mulching and the use of drones and other innovative tools.

“In addition, over one-quarter of our production is now packed and cooled with renewable energy,” McIntosh said. “New installations in New Jersey, California and Chile partially contribute to Naturipe lowering its carbon emissions by 100,000 metric tons.”

Pollinator health is another area in which Naturipe’s growers are highly focused. In fact, over the last few years, the growers have installed more than 1,000 acres of habitats throughout North and South America.

“Our pruning, composting and chop-and-drop techniques increase soil microbial diversity and improve carbon storage and water retention,” McIntosh said. “Our diversified pollinator habitat programs support our pollinator- reliant crops and the local ecosystem.”

Regenerative agriculture

Several of Naturipe’s crops, including avocados, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, are no-till crops with live-root systems year-round.

“Cover crops are planted to add additional nutrients and organic matter, such as bacteria, fungi, and several other microorganisms, which are crucial to the health and fertility of the soil,” McIntosh said. 

The regenerative practices add to the longevity of the crops.

“For over one hundred years, our family farms have utilized state-of-the- art practices that have allowed them to farm the same land for generations, providing fresh delicious berries to the local markets,” McIntosh said. “Benefits of regenerative practices include soil health, increased pollinator population, reduced water use, composting and dependence on conventional energy.”

Tech talk

Over the decades, Naturipe has continued to add new technology to the farms to enhance water conservation and soil health, contributing to sustainability and resource efficiency. 

“Our growers use precise metered drip irrigation, tiling and mulch systems to reduce their water footprint,” McIntosh said. “Tunnels can be used to extend growing seasons and improve plant and soil quality. Also, we have stringent IPM protocols, including biological, cultural and mechanical controls such as pest vacuums and netting.”

For more than 40 years, all growers have used drip irrigation systems to deliver water and nutrients directly to the root zone, but this has only become more advanced.

“Today, we utilize laser-level technology to optimize the delivery of vital nutrients, creating a more homogenous, even crop,” McIntosh said. “In addition, drones deliver predatory mites based on pest pressure and satellite imagery. Camera technology with AI can enhance our field management, including worker movement minimization. And our grower partner has developed Smartberry, a digital data recording, reporting and visualization platform.”

Ensuring food safety

Naturipe has the protocols in place to ensure the highest standards of food safety across its supply chain. 

For instance, all of its farms are audited annually by a third-party certifying body to a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) benchmarked standard. Additionally, they all either have Global GAP or Primus GFS food safety audits.

“All growers have food safety personnel on-site trained in the latest food safety regulations and procedures, the produce rule or preventive controls training,” McIntosh said. “They also have robust IPM and GAP, a good agricultural practices program that guides all daily practices and ensures the best and safest berries are produced and sold. All fields are inspected just before harvest to ensure no contamination has occurred.”

All data is recorded into the company’s SAP platform so it can trace back and forth any product shipped.

“This system quickly allows us to find any of our products in minutes,” McIntosh said. “We also use an asset-based carrier that tracks the temperature and location of our product in real time to ensure there is no break in the cold chain until it reaches our customers. All products and trucks prior to loading undergo quality checks and inspections.”

Reducing carbon footprint

Since 2020, Naturipe’s growers have made significant investments in solar energy as they continue to look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

“In 2023, our grower in Chile celebrated the installation of the largest floating solar plant in South America,” McIntosh said. “Also last year, our flagship cooler in Watsonville, California installed rooftop and solar parking canopies to power their operation. In 2024, we are celebrating the installation of six acres of solar panels in Delano, California, powering one of our largest blueberry operations.”

Social responsibility

Naturipe was among the first companies to sign onto the ethical charter developed by the PMA International Fresh Produce Association and United Fresh. The charter outlines social responsibility issues and standards to ensure farmworker safety and security.

The company is also active participants and on the advisory board for the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP), a farm-level assessment and training to ensure every farm worker is treated fairly and employee safety comes first.

“In addition, many of our farms have also had a third-party social responsibility audit to ensure worker safety and that every worker is treated with respect,” McIntosh said. “While some of our growers are Fair Trade certified, all our growers are active in the communities they grow in. They support local charities, provide much-needed health and dental services, and even build playgrounds and ball fields.”

Article written by Keith Loria, Contributing Writer

A graduate of the University of Miami, Keith Loria is an award- winning journalist who has been writing for almost 20 years. View his recent writing at keithloria.contently.com.

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The North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association (NARBA) and the North American Strawberry Growers Association (NASGA) plan to convene the 2025 annual meeting and North American Berry Conference at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa on the Island of Hawaii.

The conference will run from Feb. 3-6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to host our 2025 Annual Meeting with the North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association in Hawaii, a location that offers a stunning backdrop and rich agricultural knowledge,” James Powell, NASGA president, said in a news release. “The conference will be an excellent opportunity for networking, learning, and sharing ideas with growers, researchers, and stakeholders in the berry industry.”

The conference will feature sessions on the latest technological advances and future trends in berry growing. The schedule includes an opening reception on Feb. 3, general sessions for both strawberry and caneberry growers on Feb. 4, specialized tracks on Feb. 5 and an agricultural tour of the Island of Hawaii on Feb. 6.

Early hotel reservations are recommended and conference registration opens in July. For more details, visit raspberryblackberry.com.

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This initiative, in collaboration with Walmart Global Tech’s Sparkubate program, seeks to secure supply surety, reduce food waste and ensure fresh produce for shoppers.

The pilot will deploy Agritask’s remote sensing and data analytics tools in various U.S. and Mexican regions to provide real-time, hyperlocal insights on crops from select Walmart suppliers. The technology will monitor temperature fluctuations and moisture levels, significantly impacting crop growth, quality, transport, and shelf life.

“Dealing with challenges in purchasing and planning accuracy in agriculture due to data discrepancies and environmental uncertainties can be tough. Agritask’s technology has the potential to fill vital information gaps that sourcing managers often face when predicting yield,” said Kyle Carlyle, vice president of sourcing innovation and surety of supply at Walmart.

“Teaming up with Agritask enables Walmart to delve into more streamlined and sustainable sourcing practices, ensuring we consistently deliver fresh, high-quality products to meet customer demand,” added Carlyle.

“Walmart’s global scale and commitment to strengthening sustainable supply chains make them the ideal partner for Agritask’s tech solutions. Together, we are uniquely positioned to implement scalable, climate-smart, and risk-ready solutions that optimize sourcing from the ground up,” said Ofir Ardon, CEO of Agritask in the recent announcement of the partnership.

This pilot is Walmart’s latest effort to leverage technology for a sustainable and resilient supply chain, following previous initiatives like unspun’s 3D weaving technology and Rubi Laboratory’s carbon capture pilot.

For more information, visit Walmart’s website.

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The event will address blackberry taste test, fruit processing, provide promotional materials and includes a drone demonstration. Additionally, other topics that will be discussed include herbicide symptomology, fertility management and more. There is a nominal fee for attending this event.

Registration is now open online, and pre-registration is advised. For more information, visit University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research & Extension Fruit Research Station website.

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According to the latest sales data, berries top 2023 organic fresh produce sales.

For the second year in a row, organic berries, which include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, took the top sales spot, raking in $1.66 billion in 2023 and growing 6% from the prior year, according to a report from the Organic Produce Network (OPN).

With 251 million pounds sold (up 3.8% from 2022), berries were one of the top volume categories as well, second only to bananas, according to the report.

The data reflects the state of organic produce, according to a news release.

Organic berries scored a price premium of 56% over conventional, indicating consumers were willing to pay significantly more for the organic version of these popular fruits, according to the report.

An OPN news release quotes Brian Bocock, Naturipe’s vice president of product management, and characterizes him as a a berry expert.

“We’re seeing consistent demand for organic blueberries as the health-conscious consumer continues to seek out products with that USDA organic seal. We’ve also seen that consumers are increasingly reaching for larger pack sizes,” Bocock said in the release.

The 68-page State of Organic Produce 2023 report provides an overall view of organic produce retail performance in 2023 as well as specific insights into the top 20 organic produce categories.

Download the full report here.

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As of 2024, 28% of Naturipe Farms products are packed and/or cooled using renewable energy. This shift — which includes solar installations in New Jersey, California, and Chile — is partially responsible for Naturipe lowering its overall carbon emissions by 100,000 metric tons. Next month, it will celebrate the installation of the largest solar project to date.

“Our growers have worked hard to set a standard for sustainability while giving back to the communities they grow in,” Janis McIntosh, director of innovation and sustainability at Naturipe Farms, said in a news release. “As they continue to pioneer advancements in sustainability at all levels, Naturipe Farms must prioritize and sustain the long history of the family farms, the nucleus of our business.”

In addition to the pivot to renewable energy, Naturipe Farms is championing sustainability efforts in several other key areas. Its packaging continues to have a high level of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, including certified ocean-bound plastic. Two years ago, Naturipe committed to including prompts for consumers to recycle on its packaging.

With over 1,000 acres of pollinator habitats worldwide, Naturipe growers contribute to the protection and growth of pollinator communities. Additionally, Naturipe enriches soils by composting organic waste, including berry culls, leaves and stems, and returning it back to the earth. Regenerative growing techniques such as cover cropping and chop and drop pruning, that additionally feed and preserve the biological structures of the soil, are invaluable to its crops. For decades, judicial use of water has been part of Naturipe growers’ system plan, using metered drip irrigation, as well as capture and reuse techniques, such as tiling.

These efforts are the foundation of Naturipe’s Cultivate with Care program, which is a commitment to operate in a way that minimizes environmental impact and uplifts the communities it grows in. This Earth Day, Naturipe is proud to celebrate its leadership in the field — while continuing to develop opportunities to further improve the environment and  communities and sustain family farms. For more on Naturipe’s sustainability efforts, visit its website.

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This label expansion increases the range of California commercial crops including grapes, strawberries, stone fruit, tomatoes and almonds. ProBlad Verde is a new organic biocontrol that leverages the naturally occurring BLAD polypeptide for a multi-site mode of action that controls fungal and bacterial diseases, according to a news release.

Unlike other biochemical fungicides, ProBlad Verde quickly absorbs into treated plant tissue providing translaminar activity offering both preventative and curative activity towards disease. The result is up to seven days of reach back activity and up to 14 days of disease prevention, according to the release.

The result is quick, reliable disease control that meets or exceeds established standards. When applied close to harvest this protection helps fruit resist fungal attack during shipping and storage.

ProBlad Verde is FRAC “BM01” fungicide with strong multi-site activity and MRL exempt, helping high value export crop growers meet increasingly stringent standards.

“This expanded registration means that California berry growers will be able to utilize ProBlad to control disease on their crops,” Peter Bierma, president of Sym-Agro, said in the release. “ProBlad offers a proven and effective solution that is ideal for the needs of today’s growers.”

Sym-Agro provides fungicides, biologicals, pesticides and solar protection solutions.

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This year’s list spotlights businesses that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations. Alongside the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies, Fast Company recognizes 606 organizations across 58 sectors and regions, including food, where Driscoll’s is listed.

“Driscoll’s has one of the world’s largest research and development flavor centers that is solely dedicated to berry flavor innovation through our own proprietary varieties,” Soren Bjorn, CEO of Driscoll’s, said in a news release. “We leveraged this center of excellence for the launch of our premium Sweetest Batch berries. Shoppers can now experience unprecedented flavor with a trusted brand that they know and has been part of their daily lives.”

For more than 100 years, Driscoll’s has been on a mission to delight consumers with Only the Finest Berries. This pursuit has made Driscoll’s one of America’s most beloved retail grocery brands and the first to market a full portfolio of Sweetest Batch strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.

In bringing the flavor-forward innovation of Sweetest Batch, Driscoll’s promoted innovation across the fresh produce category, according to the release.

Fast Company’s editors and writers identified the companies driving progress around the world and across industries, evaluating thousands of submissions through a competitive application process. The result is a globe-spanning guide to innovation today, from early-stage startups to some of the most valuable companies in the world.

“Our list of the Most Innovative Companies is both a comprehensive look at the innovation economy and a snapshot of the business trends that defined the year,” Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan said in the release. “We saw extraordinary innovation across the board in 2023, but we also saw a handful of clear patterns: the growing footprint and impact of AI, the triumphant return of live events, and great leaps forward in climate tech. We face daunting challenges on many fronts, but the solutions we celebrate in MIC give me plenty of hope about the future.”

Fast Company will host the Most Innovative Companies Summit and Gala on May 16. This event celebrates the Most Innovative Companies honorees and provides an inside look at cutting-edge business trends and what it takes to innovate in 2024.

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Finster is a marketing professional with nearly three decades of management experience, including consulting, and senior marketing roles at various consumer packaged goods and agriculture organizations. Finster will direct Naturipe Farms’ marketing, communications and digital strategies.

“I joined Naturipe because we have so many shared values — innovation, creativity and working with the customer in mind — and I’m enthusiastic about their mission of providing high-quality, good-for-you products year-round,” Finster said in a news release.

She has a proven track record of putting brands front and center, developing relationships with retail and media stakeholders and using data-based findings to boost the bottom line, according to the release. Previously, Finster was chief marketing officer at SunFed Ranch, managing marketing, advertising, product development, category management and production of creative assets, and contributed to exponential retail and revenue growth. She has had roles with Treasury Wine Estates, California Olive Ranch, Wonderful Citrus and The Wonderful Co. Finster has provided strategic advice as a consultant at Deloitte and through contract work.

“Ashley takes an analytical, customer-focused approach to marketing that will greatly serve not just Naturipe’s marketing efforts, but also our brand development and expansion goals,” Jim Roberts, Naturipe president of sales, said in the release. “She has rich and varied experience working with major brands, and I’m looking forward to seeing how she applies that expertise to her work with Naturipe to achieve our key objectives for our growers, our customers and ultimately the consumers that purchase Naturipe’s family of products.”

Finster reports to Roberts. She received her Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and is based at Naturipe’s Salinas, California, office.

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