“Managing Change and Leveraging Innovation” is the theme for the 44th annual Agribusiness Management Conference presented by the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State University. The session will be held on November 19 in Fresno from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pardini’s Catering and Banquets.
According to Dr. Kevin Smith of Fresno State’s Agricultural Business Department, speakers and panel discussions will explore how the agri-food sectors are finding opportunities amidst today’s challenges.
Smith said, “This year’s theme will bring together leaders from business, government and research to discuss the trends shaping California agriculture – from economic forecasts and trade policy to innovation, technology and sustainability.”
The featured keynote will be delivered by Brad Rubin, vice president of the Agri-Food Institute at Wells Fargo. With a degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a background in both specialty crops and finance, he will be providing an economic outlook on national and international markets.
Panel #1 – Opportunities and Innovation
The first panel is titled “Opportunities and Innovation as We Navigate the Future.” Panel members are Brian Bassett of FarmitRx, Seana Day of Dave Wilson Nursery and Gabe Youtsey of UC ANR.
The moderator is Eric Hadden, the executive director of the Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center at California State University, Fresno. As the Central Valley’s longest-operating business accelerator and incubator, the WET Center supports innovators and entrepreneurs advancing solutions in Agtech, clean energy, food, and water technology. Under his leadership, the WET Center has engaged with more than 500 founders and helped accelerate over 86 companies that have collectively raised more than $400 million in follow-on funding.
Brian Bassett began his agricultural career on the family farm while pursuing a BS in plant science before moving into an independent research analyst role for U.C. California, Merck, Syngenta, Novartis, Melroe Ingersoll Rand, Monsanto and Helena Chemical with a focus on pest and disease efficacy, sensor tech integration, data modeling, efficiency and sustainability. He is
a certified crop advisor and lead agronomist at FarmitRx, which provides growers with a map based SAAS (IM Scheduler) focused on irrigation, nutrition, pest and disease management recommendations.
Seana Day is the CEO and chair of Dave Wilson Nursery, one of the largest fruit and nut tree nurseries in the United States. She is leading a generational transformation focused on leadership, operational restructuring, and long-term strategy to strengthen the company’s role in the specialty crop supply chain. Seana is also the Co-Founder and Partner of Culterra Capital, an AgTech and Food Tech investment and advisory firm, where she focuses on investment, M&A advisory, and innovation strategy.
Day has over 25 years of experience, advising growth companies and institutional investors on more than $800 million in capital raises and M&A transactions. She worked internationally with AGC Partners in London and in the U.S. with Ridgecrest Capital Partners and Capstone Headwaters Partners. A native of Stanislaus County, she now resides in her hometown of Turlock, California.
Gabriel Youtsey is the Chief Innovation Officer at University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. He is also the UC-ANR Site Lead and Co-Lead of Workforce, Industrial, and Societal Engagement for AIFS. He is a business and technology leader who focuses on transformative innovation at the intersection of food, agriculture, environmental sustainability and technology under the UC-ANR.
Panel #2 – Managing Trade Challenges
A second panel titled “Managing Trade Challenges and Seizing Opportunities in Uncertain Times” will be moderated by Trudi Hughes, CEO/President of the California League of Food Producers (CLFP). Panel members are Denise Bode, managing partner of Constitution Partners LLC, in Washington, D.C.; Suzanne Devereaux-McKensie of American Pistachio Growers and Nick Kastle of J.G. Boswell Company.
CLFP is a statewide non-profit trade association that represents food processors with production facilities in California. The membership includes firms involved with canning, freezing, and dehydrating/drying a wide array of fruit and vegetable products as well as nut processors, cheese manufacturers and olive oil producers.
Trudi Hughes has over 30 years of experience in public affairs, government relations and legislative advocacy. She was the Director of Government Affairs for CLFP for 12 years before
becoming the new CEO/President in 2022. Prior to joining CLFP in 2010, Trudi was the Senior Manager of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Walmart’s interests in California. She was also a legislative advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce and worked for almost 10 years as legislative and committee staff at the State Capitol. She has a B.S. in Agriculture Business Management from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and an MBA from UC Davis.
Denise Bode has been a leader on trade and tax policy for over four decades including leading both those practices at major DC firms. She is considered one of the top industry experts on energy and environment policy having led three national industry trade associations in that space. She also leads major food and agriculture coalitions, other major manufacturing entities in transportation. She is an expert in “best practices” for non-profits and has conducted numerous such audits for those organizations. With a long list of industry recognitions, Bode holds a BA from the University of Oklahoma, a JD from George Mason School of Law, and a Masters of Law in Taxation (LLM) from Georgetown University School of Law.
Devereaux-McKinstrie brings more than 15 years of marketing experience and a deep commitment to agriculture in her role as International Director of Marketing for American Pistachio Growers (APG), a non-profit organization representing growers and processors across the western United States. She oversees APG’s international marketing program, with a focus on Asia and Europe, managing complex trade and promotional initiatives that connect growers with global consumers. Her work includes navigating trade challenges, fostering collaboration with in-country partners, and developing data-driven strategies that strengthen demand for U.S. pistachios in key export markets. Suzanne works closely with USDA and industry partners to ensure program compliance and to identify opportunities that sustain long-term market growth amid global uncertainty.
Before joining APG, she led marketing efforts at Harris Farms, Inc. and Harris Ranch Beef, promoting California-grown products across retail, foodservice, and export sectors. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Ag One Foundation, benefiting the Jordan College of Agricultural at Fresno State.
Also serving on this panel is Nick Kastle, currently Vice President of Marketing at J. G. Boswell Company, one of the largest diversified farming enterprises in the U.S. He brings experience from previous roles at Boswell, The Morning Star Company and C&S Wholesale Grocers. He is a former board chair of the California League of Food Producers. He holds a degree from Saint Mary’s College of California.
The Schedule
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. – Introductions / Welcome
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Morning Keynote Speaker
9:30 a.m.- 9:45 a.m. – Break
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – Panel #1 – Opportunities and Innovation as we Navigate the Future
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Panel #2 – Managing Trade Challenges and Seizing Opportunities in Uncertain Times
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Luncheon and Keynote Speaker
Sponsors of the event include Wells Fargo, Farm Credit, ASFMRA and The Zenith with support from Steve Moore Farms. The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) offers four hours of continuing education credits for attendance.
The registration fee is $150, which includes the luncheon meal with a reduced price of $50 for students. The address for Pardini’s facility is 2257 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno.
Full details and registration information can be found at https://fresnostate.edu.amc. For more information contact Luz Mendoza at 559.278.7135 or via email at luzmendoza@mail.fresnostate.edu.
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