Kathleen Liang, Ph.D.
W.K. Kellogg Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Liang earned her MS and PhD degrees from the Department of Agricultural
Economics from Purdue University. She has been working in agricultural and food systems for over 40 years, and designed/developed/implemented many novel concepts embedded in agri-food policies (e.g., multifunctional agriculture). She is the Director of Center for Environmental Farming Systems, a partnership for over 30 years of history involving three institutions (NCA&T, NCSU, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, https://cefs.ncsu.edu/) to jointly support and promote environmental farming and community health. As an Agricultural Economist, she has unique knowledge and experiences in integrated sciences related to soil, water, climate, and ecosystems (e.g., she is a practicing farmer growing and promoting specialty crops for medicinal purposes, https://cefs.ncsu.edu/field-research/small-farm-unit/). Her passion and specialty areas are entrepreneurship, innovation, integrated impact analysis, and community resiliency. She is also the founder of Dollar Enterprise, one of the best entrepreneurship programs in the US (teaching people to create new opportunities without using additional resources). Her lifetime goal is to advance the knowledge frontiers and explore novel science-based solutions by working with diverse groups who care about the planet and human health.

Join us for her session on February 11 at 10:00am: Sprouts & Food Security: Growing Nutrition Anywhere, Anytime, Any Climate

Tong-Jen Fu, Ph.D.

Research Chemical Engineer, Division of Food Processing Science and Technology, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Dr. Fu is a Research Chemical Engineer with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. She conducts a wide range of food safety research related to food allergens and fresh produce, including sprouts. Her sprout research focuses on factors affecting pathogen proliferation in sprouts during production and postharvest storage, methods for sampling and detection of
pathogens, and the efficacy of seed treatments. Dr. Fu participated in the recent Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Microbiological Hazards in Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and chaired the session on sprouts.

Dr. Fu serves as the agency’s sprout subject matter expert and has participated in the development of the Produce Safety Rule and sprout guidance documents. She co-leads IFSH’s Sprout Safety Task Force and has helped facilitate dialogue among the sprout industry, technology providers, and the FDA. She contributed to the development of “U.S. Sprout Industry Production Best Practices,” which establishes production practices to minimize potential food
safety risks.

Dr. Fu enjoys working for the FDA and considers it an honor to serve the public. Throughout her career, Dr. Fu has authored or co-authored 41 journal articles, five book chapters, and delivered more than 120 presentations at national and international conferences. She is the lead editor for three books.

Join us for her session on February 11 at 11:00am: Sprout Research – A Case of Industry Engagement (changes to the food temperature code.)

Liz Reilley
President / Owner, Jonathan Sprouts

Liz Reilley, a second-generation sprout producer, has been connected to Jonathan Sprouts since its founding in 1976. In the 80s, throughout high school and college, she spent her summers working on the family farm, growing and packing sprouts. After an 18-year career as a National Sales Manager for two Fortune 1000 companies, she returned to her roots in 2007, joining Jonathan Sprouts full-time and assuming ownership in 2021.

As a board member of the International Sprout Growers Association and owner of one of the nation’s largest organic sprout operations, Liz is committed to advancing the sprout industry through innovation, collaboration, and education. She continues her family’s legacy of promoting health and wellness through nature’s most nutrient-dense foods.

Join us for the panel discussion on February 11 at 2:00pm: Collaboration as a Growth Strategy: A Case Study in Winning National Accounts

Mike Mathews
President / Owner, Kowalke Organics

In 2005, Mike Mathews started Mike’s Produce and purchased Kowalke Family Sprouts, turning his love for backyard vegetable gardening into a full-fledged occupation. After growing tomatoes, peppers and corn for several years for friends and family, he set his sights on sprouts and greens and wheatgrass.

Mike is a firm believer that organic sprouts, microgreens, and wheatgrass are an important part of eating healthy. He created an organics only product line
under the label Kowalke Organics in 2010.

As the owner, Mike leads his company with a hands-on approach, overseeing all facets of sales and operations while carving out time for his favorite part of the job – experimenting with new seeds and grow methods and trying to develop new products.

Join us for the panel discussion on February 11 at 2:00pm: Collaboration as a Growth Strategy: A Case Study in Winning National Accounts