Giavanna Accurso has established herself as a dynamic business leader, combining her deep knowledge of horticulture with her MBA degree to drive global and national business development initiatives. Her unique blend of expertise in both the agricultural and business realms has positioned her as a visionary professional with a keen understanding of market dynamics and sustainable growth strategies.
Accurso's educational background in horticulture has provided her with a solid foundation in the science and practice of plant cultivation, enabling her to navigate the complexities of the agricultural industry with precision. Her horticultural insights have been instrumental in identifying emerging market trends, optimizing crop production techniques, and developing innovative solutions for sustainable farming.
Complementing her horticultural expertise, Accurso's MBA degree has equipped her with essential business acumen and strategic skills. This comprehensive understanding of financial analysis, marketing, supply chain management, and organizational leadership has empowered her to spearhead successful global and national business development endeavors. Accurso's ability to blend her technical knowledge with business strategies has allowed her to create and execute comprehensive growth plans, establish strategic partnerships, and drive revenue generation across diverse markets.
Accurso's global and national business development efforts have resulted in expanding market reach, creating new business opportunities, and driving organizational success. Her capacity to identify and capitalize on untapped markets, coupled with her ability to forge strategic alliances, has contributed to her track record of success.
Through her combined expertise in horticulture and business, Giavanna Accurso has demonstrated a unique ability to bridge the gap between agricultural practices and corporate strategies. Her global and national business development achievements serve as a testament to her innovative thinking, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of excellence in driving sustainable growth across industries.
Giavanna Accurso has amassed a wealth of experience working at prominent organizations within the nutraceutical, hemp, and cannabis sectors, including Charlotte's Web, FSOil, Iverson Family Farms, and Belushi's Farm. Her tenure at these respected companies has provided her with invaluable insights into various aspects of the industry, allowing her to contribute significantly to their growth and success.
During her time at Charlotte's Web, a leading hemp wellness company, Accurso played a pivotal role in managing and implementing cultivation and post-harvest processing quality standards. She fostered dynamic relationships across a multitude of partnerships allowing for seamless execution. Her contributions were instrumental in establishing Charlotte's Web as a trusted provider of high-quality hemp-derived products, further solidifying the company's position as a market leader.
Accurso's experience at FSOil and Iverson Family Farms, a renowned farm and CO2 extraction facility, provided her with deep insights into the intricacies of the production and processing of holistic botanicals. As a part of the executive leadership team, she implemented cutting-edge extraction methods and quality control measures, ensuring the production of safe and effective hemp and nutraceutical ingredients. Accurso's expertise and her commitment to compliance and industry standards played a vital role in FSOil's reputation for delivering premium hemp and botanical extracts.
Her role in FSOil’s business development with hemp, botanicals, and extraction began to advance to projects that expanded to Hawaii, Paraguay, Brazil, and Nigeria. Advancement through an array of trial designs in conjunction with practical application and execution strengthened pathways into new markets nationally and internationally.
With HB 2284, Oregon established a Hemp Commodity Commission that began in 2022. Giavanna was appointed to be a temporary commissioner by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and contributed to developing the foundational definitions and framework for future commissioners. Her dedication to developing a sustainable future for the plant continues to drive her efforts in the regulatory landscape.
At Belushi's Farm, the cannabis cultivation enterprise founded by actor Jim Belushi, Accurso contributed her extensive knowledge of sustainable agriculture and biotechnology. She spearheaded initiatives to optimize an array of techniques, ensuring the highest quality and potency of cannabis products. Accurso's focus on sustainable farming practices and her dedication to producing premium cannabis products aligned perfectly with Belushi's Farm's commitment to excellence and environmental stewardship.
Through her experiences at Charlotte's Web, FSOil, and Belushi's Farm, Accurso has honed her expertise in hemp, specialty crops, and cannabis, elevating the standards of these industries. Her strategic leadership, technical acumen, and unwavering commitment to quality have positioned her as a respected authority in the field, driving innovation, and contributing to the ongoing advancement of hemp and cannabis businesses.
Giavanna Accurso has garnered notable professional experience within the realm of specialty crops and the nutraceutical industry through her work with Iverson Family Farms and FSOil. Her contributions in this field have showcased her deep understanding of agricultural practices, product development, and consumer trends.
As part of her position at Iverson Family Farms, Accurso played a pivotal role in the cultivation and management of specialty crops, focusing on the production of high-quality, nutrient-rich plants. Her expertise in sustainable farming practices and her emphasis on organic methods ensured the optimal growth and vitality of the crops. Accurso's hands-on approach, combined with her knowledge of soil health, irrigation systems, and crop rotation, resulted in increased yields and the delivery of premium specialty crops to the market.
Furthermore, Accurso's involvement in the nutraceutical industry allowed her to leverage her agricultural expertise to develop innovative products through CO2 extraction methods. By closely monitoring market trends and consumer demands, she identified opportunities to create nutraceutical ingredients that harness the natural potency of specialty crops. Accurso's understanding of plant bio-actives, phytochemicals, and their potential health effects enabled her to craft nutraceutical offerings that met the highest quality and efficacy standards. Crops include ashwagandha, echinacea, calendula, lemon balm, passion flower, tulsi, and valerian root.
Through her professional experience with Iverson Family Farms, Accurso demonstrated her ability to seamlessly integrate her knowledge of specialty crops, sustainable agriculture, and the advancing extraction methods for the nutraceutical industry. Her expertise in these areas contributed to the success of Iverson Family Farms, positioning the company as a trusted provider of premium adaptogen and nutraceutical ingredients. Accurso's dedication to quality, innovation, and consumer well-being continues to drive advancements in the nutraceutical industry, benefiting both businesses and individuals seeking natural and holistic health solutions.
Through vertically integrated systems she provided transparency that every consumer can feel at peace truly knowing what they are putting into their formulations.
Giavanna Accurso has made extensive contributions to urban agriculture, particularly in Chicago, where she collaborated with renowned establishments such as Rick Bayless Gardens, Fat Rice, and Lula Cafe. Her work in this field has showcased her commitment to sustainable farming practices, local food systems, and supporting the culinary industry.
In her partnership with Rick Bayless Gardens, Accurso played a crucial role in establishing and maintaining urban gardens that provided fresh, locally sourced ingredients for Rick Bayless' acclaimed restaurants. Through her expertise in urban agriculture, she helped create thriving gardens in urban spaces, promoting community engagement and reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting produce.
Accurso's collaboration with Fat Rice, an innovative restaurant with a focus on Macanese cuisine, further emphasized her commitment to urban agriculture. Working closely with the chefs and owners, she contributed to the development of on-site micro-farms and vertical gardening systems. These initiatives not only provided the restaurant with a consistent supply of fresh and unique ingredients but also demonstrated the potential of urban farming to transform the culinary landscape.
At Lula Cafe, Accurso's involvement in urban agriculture was marked by her dedication to sustainable and regenerative practices. She worked closely with the restaurant’s staff on harvesting techniques and year-round crop production. The community that was built here enhanced her relationships with local farmers and chefs who were focused on sustainability and innovation.
Expanding her impact beyond Chicago, Accurso took her expertise in growing to Los Angeles. Collaborating with acclaimed chefs and restaurants, she provided them with high-quality, specialty produce cultivated using sustainable methods. Her partnerships enabled access to unique and responsibly grown ingredients, enhancing the culinary experience and promoting a more sustainable food system.
Recognizing the potential of desert environments, Accurso embarked on a project with the Twenty Nine Palms Inn at the foot of Joshua Tree national park. This allowed her to explore sustainable solutions for growing in arid environments. Leveraging her knowledge of creative farming techniques, she implemented water-efficient irrigation systems, utilized permaculture principles, and experimented with drought-tolerant crop varieties. Through her work, Accurso aimed to showcase the feasibility of responsible and sustainable agriculture in arid regions while providing the restaurant with locally grown, fresh ingredients.
Giavanna Accurso's work in urban agriculture in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Joshua Tree exemplifies her dedication to sustainable food systems and her ability to forge meaningful collaborations within the culinary industry. Her expertise and innovative approaches have not only supported local sourcing and reduced environmental impact but have also elevated the quality and diversity of ingredients available to chefs and restaurant patrons.
Farmers face insurmountable challenges in regard to resources and navigating the never-ending environmental challenges that mother nature throws at them. Through Giavanna’s contributions, she has implemented initiatives aimed at providing training, resources, and access to viable independence for farmers. Accurso's efforts have helped improve agricultural practices, enhance productivity, and increase income opportunities, thus contributing to poverty reduction and overall community development. Her commitment to social impact and her passion for empowering farmers have been the driving forces behind her philanthropic endeavors.
By promoting sustainable practices, fair trade, and equitable market access, Accurso has worked to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, fostering a more inclusive and resilient local food system.
Although there are multiple organizations she has contributed to, her role as a fellow for Development in Gardening (DIG) significantly impacted her. Accurso demonstrated her commitment to holistic and sustainable solutions which aligned with the DIG’s mission. Emphasizing education, training, and empowerment, her priority is to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change within agricultural communities. Accurso's philanthropic work showcases her belief in the transformative power of agriculture and her dedication to creating opportunities for marginalized farmers to thrive.
Giavanna Accurso's commitment to farmer equity, both globally and locally, exemplifies her deep understanding of the interconnectedness between sustainable agriculture, social justice, and community well-being. Through her philanthropic efforts, she continues to drive positive change in the lives of farmers, ensuring a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
It has been an honor to work for, with, and alongside such motivated, creative, and brilliant minds. Here are links to other projects I have worked with and who have also returned the help along the journey. Please take a moment to look through these special businesses.
Oregon State University Global Hemp Innovation Center
