Schedule of events*
March 4 & 5, 2026
Meeting Purpose: To cultivate a shared sense of purpose and direction across the EcoCertified network—positioning EcoCertified as a platform for continuous improvement, ecological integrity, and durable market differentiation for orchards over time.
Day 1: Wednesday, March 4th
10:00 AM: Open & welcome
10:40 AM: Farms & Markets of the Middle
This session situates EcoCertified within the larger marketplace and systems that are shaping agriculture, including consolidation, regulation, and where consumers and buyers currently see value. We’ll explore “Markets of the Middle” as a sales strategy, as a response to retail consolidation, as a partnership with new customers that we can actually collaboratively market with, and as a framework and brand strategy for differentiating our network of growers.
1:00 PM: Lunch
2:15 PM: Pollinator Protection
This block explores pollinator conservation as a core certification lever–linking on-farm practices to marketplace expectations and emerging signals from buyers.
Guest Speaker: Shianne Lindsay, Cornell University
4:15 PM: Remembering Peter Ten Eyck
5:00 PM: Close
6:00 PM: Dinner at Mill House Tavern
289 Mill St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Day 2: Thursday, March 5th
9:00 AM: Open & welcome (back)
9:20 AM: Soil Health & Regenerative Pathway
Many buyers are putting more emphasis and rigor around regenerative certification in alignment with customer awareness. EcoCertified, in partnership with Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI), is exploring one way to meet the moment. This block will provide a research update from Cornell soil specialists and dive into the opportunity for an optional “Regenerative Pathway,” as part of Eco certification, a layer of on-farm practices for EcoCertified growers that growers can opt into to market their practices as regenerative.
Guest Speakers: Adam Kotin and Julie Davenson, Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI); Joseph Amsili, Cornell University
11:30 AM: Showcasing Grower Innovation
Hear from growers on the innovative self-marketing strategies they’re implementing on their orchards. Explore what mediums, channels, and messages they are using to attract new and retain existing customer
Guest Speakers: Michelle Sirles, Rendelman’s Orchard
1:00 PM: Lunch
2:15 PM: Key protocol updates & feedback
Overview of the most significant changes to the protocol that growers need to know about for the coming year. What do growers need to make the changes that the protocol demands?
4:00 PM: Close
*Details subject to change.