Virtual event planned for Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers; speakers set

Kimbal Musk, chef, restauranteur, philanthropist and “real food” entrepreneur will open the Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association’s seventh Annual Conference the morning of Feb. 17.

Participants can expect an informal keynote address where Musk discusses his experiences with entrepreneurship and working with farmers to source food for his restaurants. His presentation will be followed with a live webinar Q&A session.

Day two of the virtual conference, Feb. 18, will kick off with an address from Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. She is expected to discuss the state of Colorado agriculture, pivots made by the Colorado Department of Agriculture because of the coronavirus pandemic and what consumers and farmers can expect in 2021.

“We are very excited to have confirmed these dynamite leaders to open each day of our conference,” Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association’s (CFVGA) President Robert Sakata said in a news release. “Quality content and networking opportunities will be offered throughout the conference, and the virtual format allows anyone to participate. Registration begins at $20 for members registering by Jan. 31.

The CFVGA conference will include a robust virtual exhibitor hall and the ever-popular Grower-Buyer Networking Session. Attendees also can choose from 13 different breakout sessions with topics including farm labor, Covid era food system adaptations, consumer behavior changes during Covid, production research, online produce sales platforms and multiple food safety educational options.

“Since networking is such an important part of our conference, we have chosen a platform that will allow participants to easily see displays and interact with exhibitors, with buyers and with each other,” said Adrian Card, CFVGA Founding Board member and chair of the conference committee. “Another advantage to the virtual format is that participants can go back and watch content that was offered simultaneously, since they will have access to the conference website through the end of August.”

CFVGA is encouraging anyone with an interest in the Colorado produce industry to learn more and register: https://pheedloop.com/cfvga2021/site/home/ Exhibitor opportunities are available, and buyers are encouraged to participate. For more information, contact CFVGA at admin@coloradoproduce.org or 303.594.3827.

The CFVGA is comprised of more than 250 members, including growers of all sizes and types of production throughout the state, as well as representatives of allied industries. The Colorado fruit and vegetable growing sector contributes nearly $485 million to Colorado at the farm gate and is multiplied as it goes through the distribution chain. Over 90,000 Colorado acres are in fruit and vegetable production.