Farwest Show 2026 to include Automation Summit

Automation is reshaping how nursery growers operate, from when plants are first propagated to the time when they are shipped and delivered.

That’s why the Farwest Show (Aug. 26 to 28 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon) is bringing together experts to exchange insight, wisdom and ideas at its Automation Summit. They will share tools, technologies and methods to help growers drive greater efficiency, lower costs, improve product consistency and solve labor challenges.

“The nursery industry is changing because the opportunity is there and circumstances demand it,” said OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone, who will emcee the summit. “Every grower needs the knowledge that will be shared at this summit. It is all built on possibility. We believe the exchange of ideas will create synergy that will in turn elevate the solutions that are shared.”

The Automation Summit will take place on the first day of this year’s Farwest Show, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Oregon Convention Center.

It is free to all registered Farwest attendees. Details are available at farwestshow.com/automation.

The panel of experts will include:

• Chris Thiesen of Burro
• Asa DeForest of HarvestWise Drone Solutions
• Di Hu of Moss Robotics
• Tom Fessler, co-owner of Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas
• Todd Nelson, co-owner of Bountiful Farms Nursery
  

The Automation Summit is part of 45 hours of expert-led seminars across three days and five career tracks: business, garden communication, grower, pest management and landscaping.

Another free session is the first-day keynote by green industry economist Charlie Hall, which will be relevant for all attendees.

“Nurseries have tough seas to navigate these days,” said Jamie O’Brien, seminar coordinator for the Farwest Show. “They undertake considerable risk as they pursue their bottom line of supporting people, planet and profit. The Farwest Show is here to provide tools and ideas that will help make the journey safer and more profitable.”

Farwest has evening networking events the first two days of the show: the Farwest Happy Hour on Aug. 26 and the Farwest Pub Crawl on Aug. 27.

Farwest will also have 14 mini-sessions at the Solution Center, located on the expo floor. These are included with show admission at no additional cost. Pruning demonstrations, new product presentations, research updates, awards ceremonies and plant search tips and tricks are among the offerings.

Register by July 31 for early-bird pricing for Farwest expo and seminar passes. To learn more and register for the show or seminars, visit farwestshow.com.

For questions about the seminars or other Farwest events, contact Jamie O’Brien at jobrien@oan.org or 503-582-2010.