Two online seminar series focused on organic agriculture will be available this winter for farmers interested in learning more about organic practices. Both series are free, run for ten weeks, and offer simultaneous interpretation in Spanish.
The sixth annual Organic Agriculture Seminar Series will highlight the latest research in ecological farming. Sessions will take place on Tuesdays from January 13 to March 17, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Topics include preventive pest management, irrigation practices, agritourism, seedling substrate mixing, fertigation management in organic systems, soil health testing, dry-farmed tomato production, field rodent management, and rotational grazing integration.
Speakers come from various institutions such as Wilbur-Ellis, College of the Sequoias, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Davis. The series is open to anyone interested in up-to-date information on organic farming methods.
A new seminar series titled “Transitioning to Organic Agriculture” is also being introduced. This series targets those new to organic farming and covers what participants need to know to prepare for USDA organic certification. It runs Wednesdays from January 14 to March 18, 2026, between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., with sessions interpreted into both Spanish and Hmong.
Topics include perspectives from farmers who have transitioned to organic methods, steps toward certification and record-keeping requirements, understanding organic markets and marketing strategies, permitted inputs and biodiversity conservation practices, soil health development during transition (with a focus on soil life, amendments, and cover crops), pest and disease management strategies approved for organics, weed control options for organic systems, and preparation for an organic inspection.
Both seminar series are organized through a collaboration involving the University of California’s Organic Agriculture Institute (UC), Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP), Small Farms Network (UC), Cooperative Extension (UC), Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), Agricultural Land-Based Training Association (ALBA), as well as guest speakers contributing their expertise.
“These series are a collaboration between the University of California Organic Agriculture Institute (UC), the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (SAREP), the UC Small Farms Network, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), Agricultural Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) and all invited speakers who have kindly shared their time, knowledge and experience.”
For registration details or more information about weekly topics for each seminar series or how to join via Zoom links:
Visit the website of the Organic Agriculture Seminar Series.
Visit the website of the Transitioning to Organic Agriculture Seminar Series.