From Salinas to Sacramento: My Journey into Biological Agriculture
Amy Roberts, Nikki Cossio, Anne Runkel, Karen Warkentien, Moderator Megan Priest
My journey into biological agriculture began at the inaugural Salinas Biological Summit in June 2023. Co-hosted by Wharf42 and Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology. The event presented biologicals as a potential solution for growers to adopt more sustainable, resilient practices. That first summit was pivotal for how Measure to Improve (MTI) approaches our work. It spotlighted the critical role of innovation and the need for grower-focused strategies that support both environmental and economic outcomes.
Each year since, I’ve seen the summit grow into a hub for growers, scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders to connect and collaborate. Building on that momentum, I attended the 2025 Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA) Annual Meeting in Sacramento, where conversations turned from vision to strategy, and reinforced the need for alignment across science, business, and regulation.
I was honored to participate in the inaugural Women in Biological Agriculture panel, invited by Terry Stone, Global Regulatory Leader for Biologicals at Corteva Agriscience and Chair of BPIA’s Biostimulant Innovation Board of Directors. Sharing the stage with other changemakers reminded me that transformation isn’t just technical, it’s cultural. Innovation thrives in environments where diverse voices are heard and valued.
What Are Biological Products?
If you are new to biologicals like I am, here’s a quick overview of what biological products are and why they matter:
Biopesticides: Natural alternatives to chemical pesticides. Derived from living organisms (like bacteria or plants), they are used to safely control pests while being gentler on the environment and pollinators.
Biostimulants: Think of these as vitamins for plants. They help plants grow better, not by feeding them like fertilizers, but by enhancing natural processes like nutrient uptake and stress resistance.
Biofertilizers: These use natural microorganisms to enrich the soil, helping plants absorb nutrients more efficiently. They support soil health while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers.
BPIA: A Catalyst for Sustainable Agriculture
The Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA) is a nonprofit trade association advancing sustainable agriculture through biologically based solutions, biopesticides, biostimulants, and biofertilizers.
BPIA promotes science-driven regulatory reform, industry education, and coordinated advocacy. Their work helps shape the framework that enables biologicals to become scalable, reliable tools for growers across the U.S.
Their work complements Measure to Improve’s mission: helping companies in the fresh produce industry strategically engage in sustainability efforts, meet evolving compliance expectations, and effectively communicate progress to customers, stakeholders, and regulators.
Takeaways from the BPIA Annual Meeting
1. Advocacy and Regulation for Impact
The Plant Bio stimulant Act took center stage as BPIA’s legislative priority. The act aims to:
Establish a federal definition for biostimulants
Exclude them from outdated pesticide regulations under FIFRA
Evaluate their contribution to soil health and sustainable production
“The Plant Bio stimulant Act has three E’s—to establish, to exclude, and to evaluate.” – John Dunmore, BPIA.
BPIA’s approach emphasizes a shift from traditional lobbying to data-driven, economically focused advocacy. It highlights the need for real-world examples of how regulatory uncertainty delays innovation, investment, and job creation.
2. Realities on the Ground
In a keynote speech, Karen Ross, California Secretary of Agriculture, made the urgency of scalable solutions clear. Between water availability, rising production costs, and climate pressures, farmers need tools that improve outcomes without increasing complexity.
“Our customers want less chemistry, more biology.” – Karen Ross.
Biological solutions have the potential to meet this demand,but only with clarity in regulation, reliable performance, and meaningful ROI for growers.
3. Uniform Standards
Updates on the Uniform Beneficial Substance Bill offered an encouraging glimpse into a more streamlined future. With over 25 states already adopting the new beneficial substance definition, the possibility of a single label used across all 50 states is on the horizon.
Companies will now be able to have one label that can be used for every state in the country.” – BPIA presenter.
Personal Highlight: Women in Biological Agriculture Panel
One of the most meaningful parts of the event was joining the Women in Biological Agriculture panel. We spoke about the evolving role of women in agriculture, the value of mentorship, and the importance of breaking silos, between sectors and people.
What's Next?
The next Salinas Biological Summit will be held June 24–25, 2025, in Woodland, California. This year’s focus is accelerating grower adoption of biological solutions.
For those new to biologicals, these events provide an accessible yet highly informative entry point. They bridge research and field practice, regulatory updates, and business impact while fostering collaboration across the supply chain.
At MTI, our work is grounded in helping growers and their supply chain partners transition to solutions that are better for the environment, better for the bottom line, and better for the communities they support. Biologicals aren’t a silver bullet, but they are a strategic tool that can support long-term resilience.