National produce expert Steve Lutz will visit Fresno State to discuss the abundance of new products in the fruit and vegetable produce industry and how it affects consumer purchase behavior at the 38th annual Agribusiness Management Conference.

The conference will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Satellite Student Union. Registration is $125 and still open.

Lutz will be joined by six industry experts to address this year’s theme of “Data Decisions and Connectivity.” Lutz was named by The Packer magazine as its apple industry person of the year in 2000 and one of its top 25 industry leaders in 2015.

The conference provides a venue for the state’s agricultural business, economic, political and research sectors, as well as Fresno State faculty, staff and students to learn about issues affecting the Central Valley and beyond.

The conference will also feature a water roundtable entitled “Understanding Water Myths: Are We Net Importers or Exporters of Water in the Central Valley?” Experts on the panel include Sarge Green, Center for Irrigation Technology project director; Gregory Kelley, former California Olive Ranch president and CEO; and Ken Ramos, Central Valley Community Bank executive vice president and market executive for its southern region.

Dr. Dennis Nef, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, will deliver a data-packed and inspiring closing message entitled “Transformation Change: Appalachia of the West is Not Our Future.”

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