Thursday, March 12, 2026
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. PT
Online Webinar
California and Biopesticides: Registration, Efficacy and Entering the Fresh Produce Market
Learn what it takes to bring effective biopesticide solutions into California’s complex and influential fresh produce market.
About the Webinar
The California fresh produce market is one of the most diverse and productive in the world, thanks to a favorable climate, fertile soil and advanced agricultural infrastructure. California leads in the U.S. in the production of fruits, vegetables and nuts—supplying over half of the country's vegetables and two-thirds of its fruits and nuts and is the primary producer of key crops like strawberries, almonds, grapes and lettuce.
Globally, California plays a vital role in food security and international trade, exporting to trade partners in major markets across Asia, Europe and the Americas. The innovation and leadership seen in sustainable farming and sustainable pest management is highly influential in fresh produce production across the globe.
This webinar will focus on opportunities for biopesticide registrants to enter the California market and navigating the federal and state registration process to deliver effective, economical and needed pest management tools to California farms.
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. PT
Location: Online via Zoom
There will be an opportunity for Q&A.
Background Information
Introduction to Growing Regions and Commodities in California
California is a significant producer of fruits and vegetables in the United States. With over 400 commodities, California produces about 50% of the nation’s fruits, vegetables and nuts, with vegetables accounting for a substantial portion. Western Growers will introduce the primary growing regions and key specialty crop commodities in California.
Registration Process: State by State, Federal EPA
The regulatory path for biological products can be challenging to understand but is critical in order to make accurate commercial and financial plans when bringing a new product to market. Learn more about the federal and state regulatory requirements for both field trials and commercialization, including specifics on data requirements, timelines and costs. Compass Regulatory discuss best practices and current regulatory trends to help you navigate the process as smoothly as possible.
BPIA and Resources with Industry Alliances
Industry alliance groups can provide significant support for new products entering the market. The Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA) is dedicated to fostering continued improvements to the biological products regulatory process. BPIA will discuss the major challenges that biological product companies face when entering the California market.
Biopesticide Trials Guidelines
This past year, Western Growers, in collaboration with the Bioeconomy Science Institute and other industry specialists focused on biopesticides developed “Biopesticides in Horticulture: Guidelines for Commercial Field Trials, Grower Assessment, and Industry Adoption’ to help guide this conversation. The guidelines emphasize that biopesticide trials under commercial field conditions are essential to assess performance amid variations in climate, soil, water quality and integration with existing pesticide programs. Further, trials must be designed to generate credible data on efficacy, economic return and environmental compatibility while supporting regulatory compliance and grower confidence.
Meet the Speakers
Jeana Cadby
Environment and Climate Director
Western Growers
Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director for WesternGrowers, a non-profit agricultural trade association that represents farmersgrowing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Ourmembers and their workers provide over half the nation's fresh fruits,vegetables and tree nuts, including nearly half of America's fresh organicproduce.
Tammy Zimmer
Director of Regulatory
Compass Reg
Tammy Zimmer, Director of Regulatory at Compass Reg, hasspent her career leading regulatory efforts at leading crop input developerssuch as AgraQuest, Bayer, Joyn Bio, and Ginkgo Bioworks -- with a specificfocus on biological products.
Amy Roberts
Director of Regulatory Affairs
LallemandPlant Care
Amy Roberts, Director of Regulatory Affairs for LallemandPlant Care, is a founding member of the Biological Products Industry Alliance(BPIA) – the trade association for this industry segment – and Chair of theBPIA Board of Directors.
Miriam Hall
Business Manager
Bioeconomy Science Institute
Miriam Hall, MSc (University of Auckland), MBA (AUT) is the Business Manager at the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Miriam manages the relationship between research partners, customers, and scientists involved in crop production and protection research and has a special interest in the development and deployment of biological solutions.
Stay Connected with the Minds Behind the Science
Our Science Team is always exploring new ways to strengthen food safety, sustainability and crop health. Follow Western Growers Science on LinkedIn for research updates, field insights and a behind-the-scenes look at the work shaping the future of agriculture.
For more information please contact Jeana Cadby at jcadby@wga.com.
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