Grimm Organic Center Podcast

Dr. Matthew Grieshop

Organic Odyssey and Organic Chat are Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student-produced podcasts bringing education about organic farming to everyone.

  1. May 7

    What Does Regenerative Really Mean? Eric Morgan & Elizabeth Whitlow

    What Does Regenerative Really Mean? Organic vs. Conventional Approaches with Eric Morgan and Elizabeth Whitlow The word "regenerative" is everywhere in agriculture right now, but what does it actually mean, and does it have to start with organic? In this episode of Organic Odyssey, we sit down with two experts who have been in the room where those definitions get made. Elizabeth Whitlow is the Executive Director of the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), a nonprofit that oversees Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), a rigorous certification for food, textiles, and personal care ingredients built on three pillars: soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. Eric Morgan is the CEO of Rooted Ag Inc. and founder of Soil Health Lab LLC, with nearly 30 years of experience in pest control, soil science, and regenerative agriculture. A Cal Poly SLO Fruit Science graduate and former VP of Environmental Science at Braga Fresh, Eric is a frequent public speaker on regenerative farming and its role in the future of agriculture. Both Elizabeth and Eric served on the CDFA's Regenerative Agriculture Definition Work Group, a body assembled in 2024 to help California define "regenerative agriculture" for state policies and programs. In this conversation, our panel digs into what sets organic regenerative farming apart from conventional regenerative approaches, why biodiversity and low- and no-till practices matter for long-term soil health, and how food safety fits into the regenerative framework. Whether you're a farmer, student, or curious consumer, this episode breaks down one of the most important conversations happening in agriculture today. Topics covered: - The difference between organic and conventional regenerative farming - Biodiversity on organic farms and low- and no-till practices - Soil health as the foundation of regenerative agriculture - Food safety considerations in regenerative systems - How California is defining regenerative agriculture at the state level

    46 min
  2. Mar 18

    Organic Chat: Part 20 - CAPCA Conference

    Join Cal Poly Organic Center graduate research assistant Evan Tamayo at the California Association of Pest Control Advisors (CAPCA) Conference in Reno, Nevada, where conversations with students and industry professionals highlight the future of pest management, soil health, and agriculture careers. Here’s what we get into in this episode: Grant Mattos of Nature Safe Fertilizers discusses how building soil health can play a key role in preventing pests across both organic and conventional systems. Mohammad A. Aghaee, Entomology Program Leader at the Cal Poly Strawberry Center, shares insights on biopesticides and Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy. Alyssa Lindberg, CAPCA Support Intern, talks about the value of events like CAPCA and how networking with fellow pest control advisors (PCAs) can shape your career long-term. Cal Poly Plant Science student Alex Moreno breaks down the flexibility of a PCA license and why students should take advantage of scholarships and opportunities that often go unused. Edgar Godoy of BioWorks explains how applying a biology-first mindset, like using beneficial insects, fungi, and other microorganisms, is advancing biological pest control strategies. Larry Odell, Regional Sales Manager at Tiger-Sul, discusses opportunities in the retail side of pest management, the importance of CCA certification, and how organizations like Western Plant Health support education and industry connections. This episode offers a practical look at sustainable agriculture and the evolving role of pest control advisors for anyone interested in soil health, pest management, and careers in agriculture.

    25 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Organic Odyssey and Organic Chat are Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student-produced podcasts bringing education about organic farming to everyone.