April 2 2025

Topic: Tariffs, Trade, and the Future of US Agriculture Exports

Speaker: Matt Lantz, Senior Vice President, Global Access, Bryant Christie Inc.

​Matt emphasized how we are in a whole new world of agriculture trade.  With new US tariffs being applied and retaliation against US agriculture products by trading partners, along with transactional opportunities to address long standing ag trade irritants, growers and shippers need to be aware of what is happening and what is coming.  He reviewed where we stand and discussed challenges and opportunities that may emerge for US agriculture exports.​

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December 4 2024

Topic: The Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA)

Speaker 1:  Dr. Sarah Wilbanks, Chief Executive Officer.

AOSCA member agencies certify around 2.5 million acres of crops and grasses annually Sarah Wilbanks serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Clemson University, a Master of Science in Agricultural Communications and Leadership from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in Animal Science from Clemson University.  She is published in several peer reviewed journals including the Journal of Animal Science, Toxins, and Animals. AOSCA provides a wide range of programs to help its clients meet the demands of today’s agricultural marketplace. These include the National Variety Review Board, Certified Seed, Quality Assurance, and Identity Preserved programs. AOSCA is consists of 45 U.S. member agencies and seven participating member countries.

Sarah provides updates on:

• Update on the program

• Importance of certified seeds

• Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) Standards

• Certifying native seeds

• Wild land collection

• Replanting after fires

• National variety review

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September 25 2024

Topic: The Role of Pollinators in Agriculture

Speaker 1:  Elina L. Niño, Ph.D.

Elina Lastro Niño's presentation explores the critical role that bees play in the seed industry, focusing on their importance in pollination, biodiversity, and crop yields. She delves into the ways that healthy bee populations contribute to the success of seed production, the challenges facing bee populations today, and the implications for the future of agriculture. Her insights highlight the need for sustainable practices and the protection of pollinator habitats to ensure the long-term viability of the seed industry.

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Part 2:  Cole Soldo and Justin Brice
Conservation Biology Institute (CBI)

Representatives from the Conservation Biology Institute (CBI) will demonstrate their new project for the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). They have developed a pilot toolkit to improve customer experience and streamline workflows. This includes the “Vendor Match” tool, a free and neutral platform allowing seed and nursery vendors to share their species list with potential customers from USDA, FSA, NRCS, and other federal and state programs.

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July 10 2024​

Topic: Chad will discuss the federal and California R&D tax credit as well as big changes to the treatment of R&D expenses that were implemented in 2022.  We will also hear from a couple of PSA committee chairs who will provide crop reports and updates.

Speaker: Chad Lowe, Founder and President of Practical Tax Incentives

Chad helps companies qualify for and substantiate federal and state R&D tax credits.  His clients span a variety of industries including agriculture, manufacturing, software development, engineering, food and beverage, and technology companies.

 

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March 27 2024​

Topic 1: Update on the Farm Bill 

Speaker: Janae Brady, Vice President of Government Affairs, ASTA

 

Janae Brady joined the ASTA team in 2020. Brady served as staff for Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry during his time as both Chairman and Ranking Member. Most recently as Senior Professional Staff, she advised the Chairman on policy issues including international trade, agricultural research, biotechnology, crop protection and agricultural defense. Brady successfully led negotiations on the trade and research titles during Senate and Conference consideration of the 2018 Farm Bill. Additionally, Brady represented the Chairman during the consultation process for multiple international trade negotiations, including the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

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Topic 2: ChatGPT Demonstration

Speaker: Grant Baglietto, General Manager, Baglietto Seeds, President, PSA

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Experienced business professional with a demonstrated history of working in a business management role. Broad range of skills from field seed production and operations management to accounting and computer programming. Strong management background with a BS in Finance, from Sacramento State College of Business Administration. Never afraid to wear a new hat, always seeking improvement.

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January 3 2024​

Topic:  International Trade Dynamics in Hay and Impacts on Markets

​Speaker:  Daniel Sumner, UC Davis Agricultural and Resource Economics

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Daniel A. Sumner is the Frank H. Buck Jr. Distinguished Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis. He is also the director of the University of California Giannini Foundations for Agricultural Economics. For many years he has taught “The Economics of Agricultural Sustainability” to a diverse group of undergraduates. 

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Sumner’s academic research, teaching and outreach have concentrated on challenges facing farms, agricultural industries, and consumers including such issues as projecting supply, demand and price for farm inputs and outputs, food demand tied to farm-based product attributes, and competition among firms, regions, and industries. Much of his research has focused on international trade and government subsidy and regulatory policy. His recent book with Robin Goldstein Can Legal Weed Win? The Blunt Realities of Cannabis Economics was published by the University of California Press in 2022.

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Sumner has won numerous publication awards for quality of research contributions, communications, policy contributions and is a fellow of the American Agricultural Economics Association. In 2022, he received the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Award of Distinction. 

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A native of Suisun Valley in Solano County California, Sumner grew up on a fruit farm and was active in 4-H and FFA. He holds a BS in agricultural management from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, an MS in economics from Michigan State, and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago.

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September 27 2023​

Topic: The Status of the Western Forage Industry 

Speaker: Josh Callen, Owner/ Market Analyst with The Hoyt Report

 

Josh grew up on a custom farming operation in Southern Idaho. He started in hay production from a young age and worked in every part of the operation. After high school Josh served an LDS mission in Mexico for two years. He returned to the farm with the added benefit of being fluent in Spanish. During his last years on the farm he was the Baling Crew Boss and ran a forage harvester during corn season. In 2011 Josh decided to peruse a college degree and left the farm for Boise State University. During college Josh worked at a bank and in the accounting department of a title & escrow company. He also met and married his wife Lauren and they had their first child in 2014. Josh pursued a dual major in Accounting & Finance and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in December 2015. After graduating the family moved to the Magic Valley and Josh started as an Operations Analyst on the finance team at Chobani. Wanting to be a part of running his own business Josh started with The Hoyt Report in August 2018. He is excited to learn the marketing side of forge production from Seth. He has enjoyed the challenge of learning the different production areas across The West. Josh loves outdoors and enjoys camping, hunting and skiing. In 2012 he met and married his wife Lauren, they have three children and enjoy living in Twin Falls Idaho.

https://www.thehoytreport.com/

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June 28 2023

Topic: How and Why - to Tell Ag’s Story in a Clickbait World

Speaker: Ann Donahue

 

Ann Donahue is the Senior Manager of Media and Content Strategy at Western Growers. As a former journalist, she can give a behind-the-scenes look at the media landscape – and reveal how the ag industry can make an impact with its stories.  Thank you to Western Growers!

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March 29 2023
Topic: Recruiting, Retaining and Inspiring Today’s Multi-Generational Workforce
Speaker: Brianna Jakosa

Brianna Jakosa is a HR professional with over fifteen years of experience in all areas of human resources including talent acquisition, employee engagement strategy, employee training, HR technology, benefits, and performance management. Her industry expertise includes agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and professional services. She is a SHRM Certified Professional and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from California State University, Stanislaus.
 

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