The 2026 Summit Program

What's happened this past year?

Since last year's 2025 Salinas Biological Summit, there have been a number of significant developments in the biological space. New technologies are emerging, and some key new trends are taking hold.

It's not however been all plain sailing. The tough economic funding environment has seen some well-known names disappear and the challenge and time required to register new active ingredients continues to take its toll. Who better to analyze the impact of these developments than our first keynote speaker.

Understanding California’s Approach to Sustainable Pest Management

We are delighted to be joined this year by the Deputy Director of the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), Leia Bailey. Leia will provide an update on California’s Approach to Sustainable Pest Management and address some of the key regulatory issues facing specialty crop growers in the State.

Understanding the Consumer & Social Landscape

Whilst regulation often drives evolutionary change in today's agricultural practices and processes, it is frequently the 'Voice of the Consumer' that has the greatest impact.

In this session, we will hear directly from Sherry Frey, Vice President, Total Wellness at NielsenIQ about the current consumer and social landscape and its impact on food choices.

The Food Industry Perspective

Whilst growers and their advisors frequently focus on what the regulators are saying, another key stakeholder group looking at chemical pesticide use include the largest food industry producers and our major retailers.

In this significant session, delegates will hear from some of the largest and most influential players in this space.

ON THE GROUND: Introducing Brazil's Biological Landscape

Brazil has a deserved reputation as being the Biological Industry's Gold Standard. It's regulatory pathways, connected ecosystem and grower adoption lead the way. 

In this outstanding session, key Brazilian stakeholders will share insights into how California and geographies everywhere can learn from the lessons learnt that have secured Brazil its Gold Standard reputation.

Understanding the Regulatory Landscape

The global trend towards 'less chemistry, more biology' is well underway. What can California growers and others around the world learn from these developments and the regulation that is managing their growth? And what impact are we experiencing from the different registration processes and regimes that are in play?

Beyond Specialty Crops. What can growers learn from the application of biologicals in row crops?

Whilst the Salinas Biological Summit focuses on the specific challenges facing the specialty crop sector, the application of biologicals in row crops provides significant shared interest. The 2026 Summit is therefore delighted to introduce this new element to its program.

What can specialty crop growers learn from the application of biologicals in row crops?

4.15pm – 5.00pm

The Beyond Specialty Crops panel

• Panel members to be confirmed

Platform10 Field Trial Update

Platform10 is an international, multi-year collaboration that will accelerate promising biopesticide companies, rigorously assess products, enhance grower confidence, and facilitate market development and adoption.

Grower-led Platform10 field trials commenced in California through 2025, targeting specific pests and diseases impacting tomatoes, citrus, leafy greens, table grapes & strawberries. 

What progress is being made and what future trials are under consideration? And how can you engage?

Leveraging UC Davis Research Capacity

UC Davis is synonymous both with California and also its capacity for significant agricultural science and research.

In 2025, Anne Todgham was appointed Associate Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. In this presentation, Anee will talk about the current work at the College and the opportunity for the State's agricultural community to best leverage this work

Accelerating Biological Extension with UC ANR

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) shares science-based information and practices to improve lives and livelihoods. Extending UC’s world-class research beyond the system’s 10 campuses, they provide expertise and foster partnerships across all 58 counties in California.

Today, biologicals and extension services are a major focus for UCANR. In this session, Gabe Youtsey, UCANR Chief Innovation Officer will provide insights into some of the new programs being established to support growers & their advisors across the state.

Keynote Biostimulant presentation

Dr. Patrick Brown is a Professor of Plant Nutrition at the University of California, Davis, USA. He received his B.Sc. from Adelaide University in 1984, Australia, and Ph.D. from Cornell University, USA, in 1988. Dr. Brown has authored more than 220 scientific journal articles and numerous books and is among the highest-cited experts in plant nutrition, biostimulants, foliar fertilizers and horticulture.

Dr. Brown has served as President of the International Plant Nutrition Council 2005-2009 and as a council member since 1998. In 2017 and 2021 he chaired the Biostimulants World Congress. He is a member of numerous scientific and technical committees for governmental agencies including US-EPA, USDA, Californian Dept. Food and Ag and the International Standards Organization.

Updated Biostimulant Landscape

In 2025, Nick Young provided an update on the current biopesticide landscape, drawing on his experience as CDFA Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program Manager. 

In 2024, Nick was awarded the Presidential Distinguished Service Award by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) — the first person from California to receive the award in the organization’s 77-year history. Nick's commitment to a uniform understanding of biostimulants among state regulators led to an AAPFCO initiative to formally recognize them, which is part of a process now underway to establish a productive regulatory framework nationally.

The Biostimulant Start-Up Pitch Event

Last year, the Summit hosted its first Biostimulant Start-Up Pitch Event. It was an awesome opportunity for 4 startups to share their vision with the Summit audience.

If you are an early stage biostimulant company, this is your opportunity to pitch this year. Please submit your Expression of Interest to platform10@salinas-summit.com 

Biological Stories from the Frontline

Understanding the Grower Landscape

Against the ongoing backdrop of accelerating climate events, labor shortages and increasing regulation, growers across the State continue to face multiple challenges. Some of these challenges are challenges shared across the world. 

The Grower Panel will discuss these and provide insights into the steps they are taking to address them.

How are Industry Leaders Managing the Transition to Biologicals?

The transition away from chemical pesticides to biologicals is well underway. It is not often however understood.

How are industry leaders responding to this trend and what impact will this have on other stakeholders in the sector? The Industry Leaders panel will discuss the current transition landscape and what this might look like in the near to medium future.

Keynote Speaker

We have set a very high standard for presenting keynote speakers at the Salinas Summit. 2026 will be no different.

We look forward to sharing this year's Keynote speaker with you in the very near future!

Closing Fireside Chat

This year, the Salinas Biological Summit is farewelling two incredible contributors to the past 3 Summits.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross has attended every session since 2023 and contributed with compelling presentations every year.

Mayor of Salinas, Dennis Donohue, co-convened the first 3 Summits in his role as Director, Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology.

What better way to close the 2026 Salinas Biological Summit than providing a platform to Secretary Ross & Mayor Donohue with the theme; 'The Past, The Present & The Future'.