Key Takeaways
- The 14th Annual Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit will feature a high-profile Ag Innovations Panel led by Dr. Pam Marrone.
- Panelists include leading scientists and founders from Pheronym, Jord BioScience, GreenLight Biosciences, and Nature’s Fynd.
- The session will focus on biotech-driven solutions in pest control, microbial plant health, and enzyme discovery.
- Attendees will gain insight into how ag biologicals are influencing the future of sustainable farming.
- The Women in Agribusiness Summit continues to highlight the contributions of women advancing agtech innovation.
Women in Agribusiness Summit to Highlight Ag Biotechnology Developments
Focus on Biological Approaches to Crop Production
The upcoming Women in Agribusiness Summit, scheduled for this fall, will host its 14th annual event with a featured session on agricultural innovations. The Ag Innovations Panel will explore how biotechnology is being applied to crop production through new approaches in pest management, microbial support for plant health, and enzyme technologies.
The session is positioned to provide an overview of current work in the field of agricultural biologicals and its potential applications across different segments of farming.
Panel Moderated by Dr. Pam Marrone
Background in Agricultural Biologicals
Dr. Pam Marrone, who has founded and led several ag biological companies—including Entotech, AgraQuest, and Marrone Bio Innovations—will moderate the session. She is currently involved with Invasive Species Corporation and serves as an advisor to several agtech startups.
Dr. Marrone is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a 2024 electee to the National Academy of Engineering, and a 2025 inductee into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
WIA Panelists Representing a Range of Biological Technologies
Overview of Participants and Focus Areas
The Ag Innovations Panel will include the following participants:
| Name | Organization | Area of Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Fatma Kaplan | Pheronym | Nematode pheromone-based pest management |
| Dr. Linda Kinkel | Jord BioScience | Microbial libraries and plant health |
| Marta Ortega-Valle | GreenLight Biosciences | RNA-based crop protection |
| Dr. Debbie Yaver | Nature’s Fynd | Microbial and enzyme technologies |
Panelists have backgrounds in both academic research and commercial product development. The discussion is expected to include examples of research-to-market pathways and the practical considerations for adopting biological tools in agriculture.
Scientific and Industry Context Within Women in Agribusiness
Application and Challenges of Biologicals in Agriculture
The panel will take place against the backdrop of growing interest in alternatives to conventional inputs in agriculture. Biologicals—such as microbial products, pheromones, and RNA-based tools—are being developed as complementary or substitute approaches to traditional pest control and crop health management.
While adoption of biologicals has increased in certain markets, questions remain around scalability, cost, regulatory approval, and integration with existing farming systems. The session aims to provide a snapshot of current developments and ongoing research in this area.
The Ag Innovations Panel is part of the broader Women in Agribusiness Summit program, which includes a range of sessions on market trends, technology, policy, and workforce dynamics in the agricultural sector.
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