Conference Agenda
Conference Agenda
Conference Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Christine Birdsong
Christine Birdsong was appointed by Governor Newsom as Undersecretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Previously, Birdsong was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Director of People and Culture for the Sun Valley Rice Company. She has also served as General Counsel for the National Cotton Council of America, Counsel for the Committee on Agriculture for the United States House of Representatives and Federal Government Affairs Leader for CropLife America. Birdsong earned a Juris Doctor degree from the UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and is a UC Berkeley alumni.
Dr. Scott Vernon
Dr. Scott Vernon is a Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Communication at California Polytechnic State University. With a 40-year teaching career, he has shaped thousands of agricultural leaders nationwide. Dr. Vernon's accolades include the Distinguished Professor Award and twice being named Advisor of the Year at Cal Poly. An accomplished speaker and writer, Dr. Vernon delivers keynotes across North America and has been published in various national magazines. He's also a professional auctioneer, raising millions for non-profits over his 45-year auctioneering career. Beyond academia, Dr. Vernon manages his family's Double R Ranch, raising Angus cattle, competitive Quarter Horses, and farming pistachios.