Join us for a 10-week webinar series designed to help farmers transition to certified organic production. Each session is held weekly on Wednesdays, featuring a 75-minute presentation and discussion, followed by optional office hours for deeper conversation and one-on-one support.

Register for free via our event link at Action Network to receive webinar access and information.

This series is intended for farmers preparing to transition to organic certification, in the process of transitioning, or strengthening their organic management systems. Sessions will cover key aspects of the transition process—from certification requirements and recordkeeping to building soil health, pest management, and marketing organic products.

Presenters include UC ANR Farm Advisors, nonprofit agricultural professionals, organic inspectors, and experienced organic producers. Webinar recordings will be available on YouTube after the series. CCA and PCA Continuing Education Units have been applied for.
*Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions to gain the full benefit of the program, but it is not required.

Each session will include Spanish and Hmong interpretation.
Cada taller incluirá interpretación simultánea al español.
Yog koj hais lus Hmoob, caw kog tuaj koom lub rooj cob qhia txog kev ua teb (thamabxaj) organic, peb txhais ua lus Hmoob thiab.

Week 1 – January 14
Farmer Perspectives on Transitioning to Organic
Introduction to the series and a farmer panel on why go organic, challenges, and lessons learned.
Speakers: Molly Nakahara, Education Manager at The CCOF Foundation

Week 2 – January 21
Steps to Organic Certification
Certification process overview, developing your Organic System Plan (OSP), and key recordkeeping requirements.
Speakers: Katharina Ullmann, UC Organic Agriculture Institute and Grace Jackson, Community Alliance with Family Farmers

Week 3 – January 28
Organic Markets and Marketing
Understanding organic markets, pricing, and how to identify your buyers.
Speakers: To be announced

Week 4 – February 4
Allowed Inputs and Materials and Biodiversity Conservation
Determining what products are allowed and what input records to keep. Farm practices that maintain and improve biodiversity and natural resources.
Speakers: Jamie Collins, Owner of Serendipity Farms and Organic Inspector and Jo Ann Baumgartner, Executive Director of Wild Farm Alliance

Week 5 – February 11
Building Soil Health in Transitioning Soils Part 1: Soil life
Managing soil life, fertility and nutrients using organic practices.
Speakers: Joji Muramoto, CE Extension Specialist with UC Cooperative Extension and Scott Park, Farmer of Park Farming Organics

Week 6 – February 18
Building Soil Health in Transitioning Soils Part 2: Soil amendments
Using organic amendments to build soil health
Speakers: Margaret Lloyd, Small and Organic Farms Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension

Week 7 – February 25
Building Soil Health in Transitioning Soils Part 3: Cover Crops
Selecting species, seeding rates, and integrating cover crops into nutrient management.
Speakers: Sarah Light, Agronomy Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension

Week 8 – March 4
Managing Pests and Diseases Organically
Prevention-based strategies and approved materials for pest management.
Speakers: Eric Middleton, Integrated Pest Management Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension and Margaret Lloyd, Small and Organic Farms Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension

Week 9 – March 11
Managing Weeds Without Herbicides
Ecological and mechanical weed control approaches for organic systems.
Speakers: Matt Fatino, Subtropical Crop Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension and Tong Zhen, Graduate student at UC Davis

Week 10 – March 18
Preparing for Organic Inspection
What to expect during an inspection and tips from producers and inspectors.
Speakers: Megan Robertson, Owner of Alluvial Organics and Organic Inspector and Tom Page, Owner of Page’s Organics Farm and Organic Inspector

(Additional farmer speakers and CEU details forthcoming.)