.webp)
Conference Speakers
Dr. Daniel Klittich is the Director of Agronomy at Mission Produce, a global leader in avocados and mangos, where his work focuses on improving field productivity and farm profitability. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis in Entomology, specializing in integrated pest management (IPM) and silicon nutrition. Dr. Klittich brings broad experience across agricultural research, ag retail, fertility, horticulture, and commercial farming. He serves on the California Avocado Commission Board in a Handler seat, chairs the Production Research Committee, and with his wife farms 44 acres of avocados and citrus in Fillmore, California, while raising their three children.
Daniel Klittich, PhD
From a Dream to a Necessity; Practical Technology Advances on the Farm
Director of Agronomy
Mission Produce
Winston Wright serves as the Chief Operating Officer at AgroSystems Solutions, where he leads tactical initiatives focused on integrating smart automation within commercial farming frameworks. With a rich background spanning over two decades in agricultural engineering, Winston has pioneered systems that optimize resource allocation while minimizing waste. His dedication to sustainable scaling has made him a sought-after voice for international trade forums. Before joining AgroSystems, he directed infrastructure projects across the Midwest, specializing in irrigation sensors and autonomous machinery. Wright is an alumnus of Iowa State University and holds several patents in precision agriculture technology. When he is not at the fair, he manages a family-owned sustainable soy farm and consults for regional agricultural cooperatives on technology adoption strategies.
Winston Wright
Modernizing Field Operations: The Role of Automation in Large-Scale Production and Resource Efficiency Mastery
Chief Operations Officer
AgroSystems Solutions Inc.
Peter Henry
Tracing the origin, spread and future management of strawberry Fusarium wilt race 2
Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology
University of California, Davis
Peter Henry is an Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis with more than 15 years of experience on the epidemiology, evolution, and management of fungal pathogens of berry crops. His research program discovered Fusarium wilt race 2 in Oxnard and led the statewide management response.
_JPG.jpg)
Hamutahl Cohen, PhD – Characterizing Pesticide Efficacy for Avocado Lace Bug and Avocado Thrips
Entomology Advisor, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources
Hamutahl Cohen works with UC ANR as an Entomology Advisor. She is responsible for developing research and extension programs around key pests in Ventura County. She works in both natural and agricultural systems on a myriad of pest issues, including studying the biology of novel pests, monitoring pesticide resistance, and evaluating biological and cultural control methods.
Dr. Fatemeh Khodadadi is an Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension and Plant Pathology in the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at the University of California, Riverside. Their research and extension program focuses on diagnosing, managing, and developing sustainable control strategies for subtropical crop diseases affecting California avocado and citrus production, including fungal, viral, viroid, and bacterial pathogens. A key initiative of their laboratory is advancing fast and precise diagnostic tools, including avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVD) testing services and novel surveillance techniques to directly support growers, nurseries, and the agricultural industry.
Dr. Fatemeh Khodadadi – Avocado Pathology Update: Integrated Management for Avocado Branch Canker and Novel Detection Strategies for Avocado Sunblotch
Assistant Professor of Extension and Plant Pathologist, University of California, Riverside
Jodi Switzer is the Water Program Director for the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, where she manages the Ventura County Agricultural Irrigated Lands Group (VCAILG), a grower coalition that helps agricultural producers comply with water quality regulations while supporting Ventura County growers. With more than 15 years of experience in environmental and water resource regulatory compliance, Jodi oversees all aspects of the VCAILG program, including water quality monitoring, grower outreach and education, data management and reporting, and coordination with the Los Angeles Regional Quality Control Board to implement the requirements of the region’s Ag Order. She also represents agriculture in the development and implementation of water quality regulatory policy. Prior to joining the Farm Bureau, she served as Environmental Compliance Manager at her alma mater, the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she managed campus-wide air and water regulatory programs. She began her career as an environmental consultant serving both public and private sector clients.
Jodi Switzer – Understanding TMDL Requirements: Current Status, Newly Triggered Areas, and What's Next
Water Program Director, Farm Bureau of Ventura County
Born and raised in Ventura County, Detective Mitchell Peterson earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge. He has served with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office for approximately 14 years, beginning his career in the Detention Services Division before transferring to Patrol Services in 2016. He later transitioned into investigative work, serving as a detective at the Camarillo Police Station before joining the Major Crimes Bureau within the Special Services Division. Throughout his career, he has served in patrol, as a Field Training Officer, a Senior Deputy and supervisor at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, and as a detective at the Camarillo Police Station and within the Major Crimes Bureau’s Sexual Assault Unit. He currently serves as a homicide investigator and Agricultural Crimes Detective with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Mitchell Peterson – Agricultural Crimes in Ventura County
Senior Deputy Detective, Major Crimes Bureau
Erick Went is an impact-focused futurist, technologist, and serial entrepreneur with a proven track record of founding, scaling, and investing in startups that address global challenges. With a career spanning disruptive technologies, Erick has advanced innovations in carbon markets, autonomous systems, quantum sensors, and next-generation batteries. He combines vision with execution to create solutions that make a tangible impact on the world.
Erick Went – Panel Moderator
Chief Technology Officer, Future Labs
Estelle Bussa serves as Deputy Executive Officer for Economic Vitality and Service Excellence for the County of Ventura, where she leads initiatives focused on economic development, government innovation, and service improvement. Her work includes advancing the County’s Economic Vitality Strategic Plan, permit reform, workforce development, and The HIVE, an advanced mobility and innovation initiative connecting industry, education, workforce, and government. Estelle also serves as Chair of the City of Ventura Planning Commission and is passionate about building strong partnerships and creating lasting impact in her community.
Estelle Bussa – County of Ventura Policy and Permitting Reform
Deputy Executive Officer, County of Ventura
Jamie Whiteford brings over two decades of experience in environmental science, agricultural best practices, and project management. Jamie holds a PhD in Soil and Water Sciences from the University of California, Riverside, an MSc in Oceanography and a BSc in Biochemistry from Old Dominion University. Before stepping into the role of Executive Director, Jamie served as the Director of Projects and Grants at VCRCD, where he led his team on over 100 conservation and restoration initiatives, collaborating with landowners, regulatory bodies, and agricultural leaders. Jamie’s career is marked by a commitment to sustainability, demonstrated through successful management of grant-funded projects focused on irrigation efficiency, carbon sequestration, and habitat restoration. His prior experience includes faculty positions in environmental and agricultural sciences at various colleges, where he was recognized for excellence in teaching and research. Jamie has published several works on environmental science and continues to be an active contributor to the field through presentations and advisory roles.
Jamie Whiteford – Water Quality Solutions in Action: From On-Farm Practices to Regional Projects
Executive Director, Ventura County Resource Conservation District
Briana Layfield is the President and founder of Ag-Bee, a California-based company specializing in spray drone application services for specialty crop growers. Since launching Ag-Bee in 2019, she has built the company from the ground up—becoming one of the first in California to earn FAA and Department of Pesticide Regulation certification for aerial applications with drones. Under her leadership, Ag-Bee has become a trusted industry pioneer, integrating cutting-edge unmanned systems into agriculture and habitat restoration. Briana has led collaborative research efforts with universities, manufacturers, and growers to deepen understanding of spray drone efficacy, precision application, and safe field operations. With more than six years of hands-on experience, she continues to advance the practical integration of agricultural technology into crop management. Beyond her company, Briana is an advocate for responsible drone adoption in agriculture and serves on advisory boards that bridge industry and academic research to expand education and opportunity in ag tech.
Briana Layfield
President, Ag-Bee LLC
Korinne Bell is a lifelong resident of Ventura County. She graduated high school from Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and worked in her family’s agricultural businesses, including Wachter’s Hay & Grain in Ojai, before transitioning to teaching 6th grade for four years. During this time, she earned a Master’s in Education from Azusa Pacific University. Korinne returned to agriculture in 2006, starting in a clerical role with the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office. She soon became an Agricultural Inspector Biologist, specializing in pesticide use, farmers’ markets, produce standardization, organics, and invasive species management. Later, she was promoted to supervisor, adding responsibilities as an Agricultural Land Use Planner. Promoted to Deputy Agricultural Commissioner in 2012, Korinne managed key programs like the Pierce’s Disease Control Program and Agricultural Disaster Assessment. In 2016, she became Chief Deputy Agricultural Commissioner, overseeing 30 programs and a team of over 70 employees. She also served as the department’s Safety Officer and Public Information Officer. In 2022, Korinne helped merge the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office with the Ventura County Weights & Measures Division. In 2023, she was appointed Agricultural Commissioner by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. During her first year, she led the response to the Queensland Fruit Fly Quarantine, the first of its kind in North America. Korinne remains committed to her department’s mission to “protect and promote agriculture and equity in the marketplace, while ensuring the welfare of the public, the industry and the environment.” Korinne lives in Santa Paula on her family’s avocado ranch with her husband and two children.
Korinne Bell
The 2025 Ventura County Crop & Livestock Report, Making Cents of Agricultural Production
Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner
Gloria Elisa Martinez serves as Economic Vitality Manager for the County of Ventura, where she leads countywide strategies that advance economic growth, innovation, and opportunity. She is responsible for the HIVE Autonomous Innovation Center, a collaborative hub that brings together government, education, industry, and community partners to support emerging technologies and regional economic development. Born and raised in Oxnard, Gloria has more than 25 years of experience in public-private partnership building through senior leadership roles in government, economic development, and the nonprofit sector. She is currently working to expand the HIVE’s innovation ecosystem to include agricultural technology, creating opportunities for collaboration and exploring how innovation can help address the real-world needs of Ventura County’s agricultural industry.
Gloria E. Martinez
Growing Innovation: How the HIVE Can Support the Future of Agriculture
Economic Vitality Manager, County of Ventura
.jpeg)
Dr. Johanna Del Castillo is an Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension, specialized in greenhouse and nursery crops, in the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Davis. Since 2020, she initiated the Greenhouse and Nursery Pathology research program. As the principal investigator, she is interested in developing and improving sustainable solutions for disease control through studies of fungal and oomycete pathogens affecting greenhouse and nursery crops. Before this position, she worked as an Assistant Project Scientist at UC Davis, and at Bayer Crop Sciences with biological controls. As a post-doctoral scholar at UC Davis and at the University of Maryland, she studied the plant health effect of implementing reduced irrigation on greenhouse crops. Del Castillo obtained her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Michigan State University, where she worked at characterizing Pythium species from ornamental crops in the state, and her undergraduate and master’s degree from Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia.
Johanna Del Castillo Múnera, Ph.D.
Emerging and Established Pathogens in California Nurseries: Risks and Response Strategies
Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension, University of California, Davis
Matt Conroy is a widely recognized leader in California’s agriculture community, bringing decades of hands-on experience in farm management, innovation, water conservation, and labor relations. As a second-generation strawberry farmer in the renowned Oxnard region, Conroy has built a reputation for advancing sustainable and efficient farming practices while maintaining a deep connection to the land and the people who cultivate it. As District Manager for Good Farms in Oxnard, CA, Conroy oversees 140 acres of nearly year-round commercial strawberry production. Supplying major U.S. and international food markets—including Costco and Smart & Final—he has gained unique insights into consumer demands, market trends, and the evolving agricultural landscape. His leadership extends beyond daily operations, as he spearheads strategic initiatives to optimize production and enhance sustainability. Conroy plays a pivotal role in agricultural innovation, managing experimental growing programs that explore cutting-edge genetics. Through partnerships with local genetics labs and university researchers, he helps develop disease- and fungus-resistant strawberry varietals that thrive in diverse weather conditions and soil types. His technical expertise as a highly skilled mechanic has also positioned him at the forefront of Good Farms’ robotics and irrigation innovation programs, where he integrates automation and precision technology to improve efficiency and resource management. Beyond his operational and technical contributions, Conroy is a respected voice in the industry. He frequently engages with media, policymakers, and academic institutions to address critical agricultural challenges, advocate for sustainable farming policies, and advance workforce efficiencies. His commitment to the future of farming extends to mentoring the next generation of agricultural professionals, fostering educational initiatives, and supporting students pursuing careers in agricultural sciences. Passionate about water conservation, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience in agriculture, Matt Conroy remains dedicated to shaping a more innovative, efficient, and sustainable future for California farming. Matt currently serves on the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, the Ventura County Agricultural Board, as an advisor for the California Strawberry Commission and the California Strawberry Processing Board and as an advisor to The Vine, a technology and innovation-focused program hosted by the University of California ANR’s Office of Innovation.
Matt Conroy
District Manager, Goodfarms