Organic Advisor Call Series

Organic Agronomy Training Services (OATS)

Welcome to the Organic Advisor Call Series — quick-hit conversations on the hottest topics in organic field crops. Whether you're tuning in from your desk, truck, or tractor, you'll spend one hour each episode learning about emerging issues from expert farmers and industry leaders. This season’s episodes cover everything from market outlooks and weed control in soybeans to cutting-edge tech like drones and robots — and a whole lot in between. 

Episodes

  1. 11/14/2025

    Understanding NRCS Cost-Share Programs for Organic Grain Farmers

    If NRCS programs feel confusing or intimidating, you’re not alone. In this episode, Sam Tilton talks with Thomas Manley to unpack the cost-share opportunities available to organic grain farmers—and explain how good conservation planning can strengthen an operation long after the contract ends. Resources from this episode: Certified Technical Service Providers directory: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/technical-assistance/technical-service-providers EQIP Organic Initiative overview: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-organic-initiative NRCS Organic Transition Initiative fact sheet (PDF): https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/2023-NRCS-Organic%20Transition%20Initiative%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf NRCS conservation planning information: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/conservation-technical-assistance/conservation-planning CSP program summary insert (PDF): https://sustainableagriculture.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-CSP-Insert-On-Screen.pdf This series is brought to you by the Organic Agronomy Training Service and Albert Lea Seed, a fourth-generation, family-owned company offering a full line of organic and non-GMO field crop seed. This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP). 🔗Learn more about Albert Lea Seed: https://alseed.com  🌱 Learn more about OATS: https://www.organicagronomy.org/  📅 Events & registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events  📚 Resource Library: https://www.organicagronomy.org/resource-library  📧 Join our listserv: https://www.organicagronomy.org/join-listserv

    54 min
  2. 10/01/2025

    Biological Seed Treatments and Amendments

    Can biologicals really boost organic crops? In this Organic Advisor Call, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS joins Dr. Connor Sible and Brett Bell to break down biologicals, seed treatments, and on-farm testing so advisors and farmers know what’s worth the investment. Resources mentioned in the episode: Article - Understanding Biologicals for Row Crop Production: https://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Biological-Summary.pdfVideo Presentation - Understanding Biologicals For Improved Soybean Management:  https://fieldadvisor.org/webinar-understanding-biologicals-improved-soybean-management/  Slides - What We Know About Biologicals Today: https://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-Biological-Summary.pdf  This series is brought to you by the Organic Agronomy Training Service and Albert Lea Seed, a fourth-generation, family-owned company offering a full line of organic and non-GMO field crop seed. This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP). 🔗Learn more about Albert Lea Seed: https://alseed.com  🌱 Learn more about OATS: https://www.organicagronomy.org/  📅 Events & registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events  📚 Resource Library: https://www.organicagronomy.org/resource-library  📧 Join our listserv: https://www.organicagronomy.org/join-listserv

    51 min
  3. 08/10/2025

    Organic Record Keeping - with a Farmer and Inspector

    Good record keeping is essential to organic certification—and it doesn’t have to be a burden. In this episode, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS explores how to make your paperwork work for you with organic farmer *Matthew Fitzgerald*, who built an app to make paperwork easier, and inspector *Mallory Krieger*, who shares tips straight from the field. *Resources mentioned in the episode:* 📄 Download a copy of Matthew's Bill of Lading Example: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gg3ag-gtF86mVoUQqyAYicj3q0_bkTQn/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107209151549663357945&rtpof=true&sd=true 🧰 DIY White Board Kit from FarmFlow: https://www.tryfarmflow.com/diykit 🌾 Learn more about FarmFlow: https://www.tryfarmflow.com/ This series is brought to you by the Organic Agronomy Training Service and Albert Lea Seed, a fourth-generation, family-owned company offering a full line of organic and non-GMO field crop seed. This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP). 🔗Learn more about Albert Lea Seed: https://alseed.com 🌱 Learn more about OATS: https://www.organicagronomy.org/ 📅 Events & registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events 📚 Resource Library: https://www.organicagronomy.org/resource-library 📧 Join our listserv: https://www.organicagronomy.org/join-listserv

    56 min

About

Welcome to the Organic Advisor Call Series — quick-hit conversations on the hottest topics in organic field crops. Whether you're tuning in from your desk, truck, or tractor, you'll spend one hour each episode learning about emerging issues from expert farmers and industry leaders. This season’s episodes cover everything from market outlooks and weed control in soybeans to cutting-edge tech like drones and robots — and a whole lot in between.