Registration is open for Fresno State’s 44th annual Agribusiness Management Conference, taking place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Pardini’s Catering and Banquets (2257 W. Shaw Ave.) in Fresno.
Themed “Managing Change and Leveraging Innovation,” the conference will bring together experts from business, government relations and research backgrounds to discuss economic policy, innovation and technology, evolving regulations and trade challenges and opportunities tied to the agrifood sector.
“This event offers industry professionals, faculty, staff and students a valuable opportunity to gain specialized insight into business forecasts and emerging trends,” said Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State. “As the agricultural landscape continues to change, these perspectives are important to help the industry and our students better understand and navigate these shifts.”
The conference will kick off with an opening session led by Brad Rubin, vice president of Wells Fargo’s Agri-Food Institute in the specialty crops area. He will deliver an economic outlook on both the national and international markets.
Rubin joined one of the nation’s largest commercial agricultural lenders in 2018, and is a sector manager focusing on fruit, vegetables, coffee and other specialty crops. His prior experience in the digital and e-commerce sector includes roles as an adviser and interim chief marketing officer for iD Tech Camps, vice president at Experts Exchange and Kibo Commerce, and operations director at TransUnion.
Following Rubin’s presentation, two panels will feature business and trade leaders discussing key agricultural economic issues at the forefront of national discussions. The panel topics and speakers include:
“Opportunities and Innovation as We Navigate the Future”
- Brian Bassett, president and founder, FarmitRx.
- Seana Day, CEO, Dave Wilson Nursery.
- Gabe Youtsey, chief innovation officer, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- Moderator: Eric Hadden, executive director, Fresno State Water, Energy and Technology Center.
“Managing Trade Challenges and Seizing Opportunities in Uncertain Times”
- Denise Bode, managing partner and president, Constitution Partners.
- Joe Coelho, director of sustainability and member outreach, American Pistachio Growers.
- Nick Kastle, vice president of marketing, J.G. Boswell.
- Moderator: Trudi Hughes, president and CEO, California League of Food Producers.
Registration for the conference is $150, and Fresno State students can attend for free if they contact event organizer Luz Mendoza in advance at luzmendoza@mail.fresnostate.edu. Other non-Fresno State community college students can register for $50, and should have their faculty reach out to Mendoza.
Event sponsors include platinum-level sponsor Wells Fargo; gold-level sponsor Farm Credit; and silver-level sponsors The Zenith and California Chapter of ASFMRA Western Ag Professionals. Other supporting organizations include California Food Producers, Steve Moore Farms, the Jordan College and the Institute for Food and Agriculture.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting luzmendoza@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.7135.
