The 2025 BioSolutions Conference and Expo, which takes place Feb. 18-20 in Fresno, CA, features a packed agenda designed to help both experienced and news users of biological controls boost their knowledge. Here’s a brief look at a few of the educational presentations you can expect:
Biologicals Pulse Check: How Farmers Perceive and Use Bios in Specialty Ag
Curious about how your fellow growers are using biologicals? This session dives into the latest survey results from top U.S. specialty growers, giving you a snapshot of how growerrs are perceiving and adopting biologicals right now. Conducted by Stratovation Group with Meister Media, the study reveals what’s driving decisions, the barriers growers are facing, and the real-world impacts of these products. Join this session to see how your experience stacks up and what’s next for biological adoption.
The IR-4 Project: A USDA-Funded Research Organization that Helps Specialty Crop Growers
Learn how the IR-4 Project, a USDA-funded research organization, supports specialty crop growers by facilitating access to novel and effective pest management solutions. This session will explore IR-4’s research programs, activities, and its significant contributions to the agricultural community through extensive collaboration with growers, academic experts, and industry leaders.
Boosting Your Workforce: How Biocontrols Drive Employee Motivation and Retention
Led by an experienced grower, the group will explore real-world examples of how biocontrol methods create a safer, purpose-driven work environment that motivates your team and gives you a competitive hiring advantage. In this focused discussion, share how adopting biological practices can make your farm more appealing to potential hires and boost employee retention.
Identifying and Addressing Next Hurdles and Ongoing Obstacles in Biocontrols
Longtime biocontrol practitioner Alex Traven leads a session for growers to discuss emerging challenges and still unsolved issues in the biocontrol world. Growers continually face new invasive pest challenges, quarantine rules, and changing food safety and customer standards, and more, and this session offers an opportunity to discuss with others facing similar challenges and the researchers who may be seeking new solutions, and to present the unique challenges they face.
Application Update: Advanced Tools for the Release of Macro BCAs
Discover best practices for applying biological products on a larger scale, including strategies for implementing biocontrol, understanding advanced release systems, and selecting the right application methods tailored to your specific crop needs. Delve into the latest distribution systems of macro biologicals such as blowers, sachets, “pods”, blister packs, as well as air and ground-based drones.
Unlocking the Power of Plasma-Activated Water for Stronger, Healthier Crops
Explore how plasma-activated water (PAW) enhances seed germination, seedling vigor, and crop resistance to arthropod pests. This session will present recent research on PAW’s effects on crop health, its potential to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and its ability to improve the performance of pesticides and biopesticides. Attendees will gain an understanding of this emerging technology and its practical applications in agriculture.
Maximizing Market Appeal: Using Consumer IPM Knowledge to Differentiate Your Farm Products
Attendees will learn how to leverage consumer knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to enhance marketing strategies, improve pest management decisions, and apply research findings in promoting IPM and biological controls within their horticultural practices.
Learn more and register here.
