Vegetable conference coming Nov. 19-20

The Pacific Northwest Vegetable Conference is nearing its 40th year, with more than 100 exhibitors and 27 expert speakers. The conference, will take place at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.  

New this year is a session on “Issues in Vegetable Production,” according to Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Director Sheri Nolan.  

“We created this new session to talk about issues, water policy, labor issues, technology,” Nolan said.  

The speakers for that session include representatives from advocacy organizations Save Family Farming, the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association and the Washington Growers League. U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, has been invited to speak as well, according to the conference’s program.  

The conference will also include a session devoted to emerging scientists in agriculture, called “Shaping the Future of Vegetable Research.” Those presenters are speaking for the first time at the conference, Nolan said.  

A fixture of the conference that will return this year is Washington State University’s onion display, Nolan said.   

“WSU brings in all the onions from all their trials, and puts signs on them (indicating) what company and what brand, so people can go by and look at the different sizes and colors,” she said.  

 In addition to learning about weed control, water management and high-tech farming advances, attendees will be able to earn continuing education credits in pesticide application.   

Preregistration is being accepted through Nov. 15, according to the PNVA’s website. The cost is $125 to attend, discounted to $85 apiece for groups of five or more. Washington residents pay a small additional fee. Exhibit spaces begin at $525. On-site registration will be available, but will cost an extra $50.   

The conference is a function of the Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association, which was started in 1986 as the Washington State Vegetable Association and grew to include Oregon and Idaho in 1992, Nolan said. The conference draws about 800 attendees over its two-day span, she said.  

“It’s going to be another great year,” Nolan said. “Our sessions are strong and we’re ready to get together again.”

SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Nov. 18

12-6 p.m.Trade Show Setup

Wednesday, Nov. 19

7-8 a.m. Trade Show Setup

Onion Sessions

8:30 a.m. Irrigation Management Principles in Onion Crops, Dr. Ude Sakron

9 a.m. Integrated Pink Root Control in Onions, Dr. James Woodhall, University of Idaho

9:30 a.m. Stubby Root Nematode Management in Onions, Dr. Carrie Wohleb, WSU - Moses Lake 

10 a.m. Break – Trade Show

10:45 a.m. Managing Onion Powdery Mildew vs. Downy Mildew, Dr. Lindsey du Toit, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC 

11:15 a.m. ‘Stop the Rot’ Onion Bacterial Disease Video: 5-Year Wrap-Up, Dr. Lindsey du Toit, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC 

11:45 a.m. Onion Disease Panel - Ask the Experts, Dr. Lindsey du Toit, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, and Dr. James Woodhall, University of Idaho

12:15 Luncheon

1:30 p.m. Packing Shed Food Safety, Dr. Joy Waite-Cusic, Oregon State University

2 p.m. Nitrogen and Irrigation Management Impacts on Bacterial Bulb Rot,  Dr. Gabe LaHue, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC  

2:30 p.m. Break – Trade Show

3:15 p.m. Thrips Resistance Management and Program Direction in Idaho, Dr. Marcelo Dimase, University of Idaho 

3:45 p.m. Thrips Management in Onions, Dr. Tim Waters, WSU and Dr. Stuart Reitz, OSU

4:15 p.m. Onion Economics and General Economics, Dr. Gina Greenway, Greenway Consulting 

4:45 p.m. Trade Show Social

General Vegetable/Organic Sessions

9 a.m. Agricultural Trends/Economics Update, Dr. Tim Delbridge, OSU

9:30 a.m. New Organic Pesticides Update, Dr. Alan Schreiber, Ag Development Group

10 a.m. Break – Trade Show

10:45 a.m. Monitoring the Susceptibility of Insect Pests to Insecticides: Lessons and Opportunities for Refined IPM in the PNW,  Dr. Marcelo Dimase, University of Idaho, Parma

11:15 a.m. Exploring Alternatives to Insect Pest Control on Field Crop Vegetables: An Update from the Entomology Program at HAREC, Dr. Josephine Antwi, OSU-HAREC

11:45 a.m. Entomological Research in the Parma R&E Center, Dr. Armando Falcon-Brindis, University of Idaho, Parma

12:15 Luncheon

1:30 p.m. Weed Science Research and Extension in Vegetable Production, Dr. Aaron Becerra-Alvarez, OSU-Corvallis

2 p.m. New Researchers Panel – Discuss Membership needs and hear ideas from University Researchers

2:30 p.m. Break – Trade Show

3:15 p.m. Challenges with Implementing AI on the Farm (including drones), Jason Mellow, Axis Ag, Inc. 

3:45 p.m. The Not-So-Long and Winding Road to Organic Certification Profit Margins, Levi Fredrikson, Oregon Tilth

4:15 p.m. Protein-Rich Popping Beans: A Pathway to Sustainable Farming and Better Diets, Dr. David Gang, WSU Pullman

4:45 p.m. Trade Show Social

Thursday Nov. 20

Pest Management Session

8 a.m. Importance of Pre-Emergent Herbicides – How to Use Them?  Dr. Aaron Becerra-Alvarez, OSU

8:30 a.m. Emerging Weed in the PNW Region and Yellow Nutsedge Control: What we Have Learned so Far,  Dr. Joel Felix, OSU 

9 a.m. Wireworm Control in Vegetable Crops,  Dr. Tim Waters, WSU Extension-Pasco

9:30 a.m. Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits,  Dr. Rebecca Melanson, Mississippi State

10 a.m. Break – Trade Show

10:30 a.m. Managing Insect Pests of Beans, Dr. Marcelo Dimase, University of Idaho, Parma

11 a.m. Water Management and Bean Diseases, Dr. Lyndon Porter, USDA 

12 p.m. Insecticide Use Tips and Tools,  Dr. Carrie Wohleb, WSU - Moses Lake 

New Registrations for Vegetable Production,  Dr. Alan Schreiber, Ag Development Group

12:30 p.m.Japanese Beetle and Other White Grubs - Potential for Disaster,  Dr. Tim Waters, WSU Extension – Pasco

1 p.m. Conference adjourns

Issues in Vegetable Production Sessions

8 a.m. Water Policy – The Reality, Daryll Olsen, Columbia Snake River Irrigators Association

8:30 a.m. Important Labor Issues for Growers Going into 2026, Mike Gempler, Washington Growers League

9 a.m. State Legislative Issues Impacting Vegetable Growers, Ben Tindall, Save Family Farming

9:30 a.m.Federal Issues Impacting Vegetable Production, Office of U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (Invited)

10 a.m. Break – Trade Show

10:30 a.m. Trends in PNW Agriculture, Dr. Alan Schreiber, Ag Development Group

11 a.m.Challenges with Implementing Technology on the Farm, Jason Mellow, Axis Ag, Inc.

11:30 a.m.Separating the Grain from the Chaff in Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture, Andy McGuire, WSU

12 p.m. New Rules, New Risks: Navigating Produce Safety’s Changing Landscape, Claire Murphy, WSU

12:30 p.m.What to do if your Farm is the Subject of a Food Safety Recall, Bill Marler, Marler Clark

1 p.m. Conference adjourns

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Josephine Antwi 

Dr. Josephine Antwi is an Assistant Professor and Irrigated Crop Entomology Specialist at Oregon State University’s Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center. She leads research and extension programs focused on arthropod pest management in irrigated cropping systems, including potatoes, cereals, alfalfa, and corn. Her work explores insect-microbial-plant interactions and how environmental factors influence pest dynamics. Dr. Antwi earned her Ph.D. in Entomology from Texas A&M University, her M.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Louisiana and her B.S. in Natural Resources Management from Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. 

Aaron Becerra-Alvarez 

Dr. Aaron Becerra-Alvarez is an Assistant Professor of Weed Science in Vegetables and Specialty Seed Crops at Oregon State University, based in Corvallis. His research focuses on plant-management-environment interactions to develop integrated weed management strategies, with expertise in herbicide physiology, weed ecology, and sustainable crop production. Dr. Becerra-Alvarez earned his Ph.D. in Weed Science from the University of California, Davis, and a B.S. in Crop Science and Horticulture from California State University, Chico.  

Tim Delbridge 

Dr. Tim Delbridge is an Assistant Professor of Applied Economics at Oregon State University, specializing in farm-level production and financial management. His research focuses on investment analysis, cropping system decisions, agricultural risk management, and the economic impacts of technology and regulation on farm profitability. Dr. Delbridge teaches undergraduate courses in agricultural finance, marketing, and business organization within the food system. He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota and previously held faculty positions at California Polytechnic State University. 

Marcelo Dimase 

Dr. Marcelo Dimase is an Assistant Professor of Entomology at the University of Idaho, specializing in insect resistance management and toxicology. His research focuses on developing strategies to combat resistance in agricultural pests, particularly through the use of Bt crops and insecticides. Dr. Dimase earned his M.S. in Entomology from Louisiana State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Florida, where he studied whitefly resistance and established baseline susceptibility data. 

Lindsey du Toit 

Dr. Lindsey du Toit is the Alfred Christianson Distinguished Professor of Vegetable Seed Pathology and Chair of the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University. Based at the Mount Vernon NWREC, she specializes in the epidemiology and management of diseases affecting small-seeded vegetable crops in the Pacific Northwest. Originally from South Africa, du Toit earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of Illinois. Since joining WSU in 2000, she has led research and extension programs advancing disease diagnostics, seed health, and sustainable agriculture for regional and global vegetable seed industries. 

Armando Falcon-Brindis 

Dr. Armando Falcon-Brindis is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Entomology at the University of Idaho’s Parma Research and Extension Center. He joined the university in January 2024, bringing expertise in pollinators, biological pest control, and insect ecology. Educated in Mexico, Dr. Falcon-Brindis earned a B.S. in Animal Science, an M.S. in Environmental Science, and a Ph.D. in Natural Resources Management, with research focused on trap-nesting bees and wasps. 

Joel Felix 

Dr. Joel Felix is a professor of Weed Science at Oregon State University, stationed at the Malheur Experiment Station in Ontario, Oregon. He joined OSU’s Department of Crop and Soil Science in 2006 and focuses on developing weed management strategies that support grower profitability and environmental stewardship. His research spans dry bulb onions, sugar beets, corn, potatoes, alfalfa, and dry beans in irrigated systems. He earned his B.Sc. in Soil and Crop Management and M.Sc. in Agronomy, and was promoted to full professor in 2025. 

Levi Fredrikson 

Levi Fredrickson leads the Applicant Experience Team at Oregon Tilth, a nonprofit organization that promotes organic agriculture and sustainable food systems through certification, education, and advocacy. He holds an M.S. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and has years of experience designing and teaching farming programs. 

David Gang 

Dr. David R. Gang is a professor in the Institute of Biological Chemistry at Washington State University and director of the WSU Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach. He also leads WSU’s Tissue Imaging, Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory. His research focuses on specialized plant metabolism, particularly in aromatic and medicinal plants such as Cannabis sativa, mint, and ginger. He earned his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology/Biochemistry from WSU and has held leadership roles in scientific societies including the Phytochemical Society of North America. His work integrates genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to explore bioactive compounds and plant biochemical pathways. 

Mike Gempler 

Mike Gempler is the executive director of the Washington Growers League, a nonprofit organization that advocates for agricultural employers on labor and employment issues. Gempler holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Ohio State University and a master’s in agricultural economics from the University of Wyoming. He is a graduate of the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program and a past president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. 

Gabe LaHue 

Dr. Gabriel LaHue is an Assistant Professor of Soil Science at Washington State University, based at the Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon. His research focuses on soil-plant-water interactions, aiming to improve soil health, water efficiency, and nutrient management in agricultural systems. LaHue teaches courses on soil fertility, sustainable agriculture, and organic certification. He earned his Ph.D. in Soils and Biogeochemistry from the University of California, Davis, and holds degrees in International Agricultural Development and Plant Science. 

Rebecca Melanson 

Dr. Rebecca A. Melanson is an Associate Extension Professor at Mississippi State University, specializing in plant pathology for vegetable, fruit, and nut crops. She develops educational programs and resources to support growers across Mississippi, focusing on disease identification, management, and prevention. Dr. Melanson earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in Plant Health from Louisiana State University and a B.S. in Biology from Centenary College of Louisiana. She has delivered over 100 presentations, authored more than 70 extension publications, and created videos and newsletters to advance plant health knowledge. 

Bill Marler 

Bill Marler is a nationally recognized food safety attorney and managing partner of Marler Clark LLP, based in Seattle, Washington. He rose to prominence in 1993 representing the most seriously injured victim of the Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak, securing a landmark $15.6 million settlement. He earned his J.D. from Seattle University and holds degrees in Political Science, English and Economics from Washington State University. 

Jason Mellow 

Jason Mellow is the founder and president of Axis Ag, Inc., a consulting and service business created to address a market gap between the agriculture and agricultural technology sectors. 

Andy McGuire 

Andy McGuire is a professor and Extension Agronomist at Washington State University, based in Moses Lake as Director of the Grant County Extension Office. He specializes in irrigated cropping systems and sustainable agriculture, with over 25 years of experience at WSU. McGuire’s research and outreach focus on soil health, cover crops, and resilient farming practices. He holds an M.S. in Agronomy from the University of California, Davis, and previously worked with the University of Nebraska Extension and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

Claire Murphy 

Dr. Claire Murphy is an assistant professor and Extension Specialist in the School of Food Science at Washington State University, stationed at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser. Her work focuses on reducing foodborne pathogen contamination throughout the produce supply chain. Murphy also develops predictive models to enhance food safety in evolving agricultural systems. She earned her B.S. in Food Science from the University of Delaware, her M.S. and Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology from Virginia Tech and her Master’s of Public Health in Infectious Disease and her Ph.D. in Infectious Disease from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech. 

Dan Newhouse 

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, has represented Washington’s 4th Congressional District since 2015. A third-generation farmer from Sunnyside, he previously served as sirector of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and in the Washington House of Representatives. He earned a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from Washington State University. In Congress, he serves on the Appropriations Committee and advocates for rural communities, water access, and conservative fiscal policies. 

Darryll Olsen 

Darryll Olsen is a board representative with the Columbia Snake River Irrigators Association, a nonprofit organization representing Eastern Washington farmers who irrigate over 250,000 acres using direct-pump systems from the Columbia and Snake Rivers. He has led CSRIA’s advocacy for over two decades, representing irrigators who farm more than 250,000 acres using direct-pump systems from the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Olsen works closely with state and federal agencies on water rights, regulatory reform, and litigation affecting agricultural water access. 

Lyndon Porter 

Dr. Lyndon Porter is a Research Plant Pathologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, based in Pullman, Washington. He specializes in legume pathology, focusing on disease resistance in peas and beans. Dr. Porter has contributed to the development of genetic markers for resistance to Pea Enation Mosaic Virus and identified genes linked to Fusarium root rot resistance. His work has led to the release of multiple pea lines now used by breeding companies to improve crop resilience. Dr. Porter earned his M.S. in Botany from Brigham Young University and his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Washington State University. 

Alan Schreiber 

Dr. Alan Schreiber is the founder and director of Agriculture Development Group, Inc., established in 1998 to conduct independent field trials and provide consulting services to growers and industry stakeholders. ADG operates a 100-acre research farm near Pasco, where Dr. Schreiber oversees studies on insects, weeds, diseases, and crop varieties. He also serves as executive director of the Washington Blueberry Commission and the Washington Asparagus Commission and administrator of the Washington State Commission on Pest Management. Schreiber was recognized in 2025 with the Mid-Columbia Ag Hall of Fame’s Visionary Award. 

Ben Tindall 

Ben Tindall is the executive director of Save Family Farming, a Washington-based advocacy organization dedicated to defending and promoting family farms. He brings over 20 years of experience in government affairs and nonprofit leadership, having worked with state and federal lawmakers in Texas and Washington. Tindall previously served as Governmental Affairs Coordinator for the Washington Farm Bureau. 

Joy Waite-Cusic 

Dr. Joy Waite-Cusic is Professor of Food Safety and Quality Systems at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Her integrated food safety systems program combines research, teaching, and outreach to assist food production and processing industries and consumers in improving food safety to minimize foodborne illness. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees art Oregon State, and her Ph.D. at Ohio State University. 

Tim Waters 

Dr. Tim Waters is a Professor and Regional Vegetable Specialist with Washington State University Extension, serving Franklin and Benton counties since 2006. Based in Pasco, he focuses on integrated pest management for crops like potatoes, onions, carrots, and dry beans. Dr. Waters earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Entomology and B.S. in Biology from WSU. In 2024, he was honored with the Rising Star Award by the Mid-Columbia Agriculture Hall of Fame. 

Carrie Wohleb 

Dr. Carrie H. Wohleb is a Professor and Regional Vegetable Crops Specialist with Washington State University Extension, based in Grant County. Since joining WSU in 2008, she has focused on potato, vegetable and seed crop production in the irrigated Columbia Basin. Wohleb holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Horticulture from WSU and a B.S. in Botany from the University of Washington. Her work emphasizes integrated pest and disease management, regional insect surveys, and grower education. She collaborates closely with farmers and industry partners to enhance crop health, sustainability, and productivity across Washington’s agricultural communities. 

James Woodhall 

Dr. James Woodhall is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Plant Pathology at the University of Idaho, specializing in the detection and characterization of plant pathogens. With over two decades of experience in potato disease diagnostics, his research focuses on improving disease management through molecular techniques, monitoring programs, and integrated strategies.  

This guide was created with the assistance of Copilot for Microsoft 365.