Grimm Organic Center Podcast

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. ----more---- 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.

Welcome back to another episode of Organic Odyssey! In this episode, we sit down with Brian Coltrin, an Organic Technical Specialist at CCOF, to chat about his organic dry farm tomato operation, Opal Creek Farm. He shares tons of interesting insight into the unique challenges and history of the world of dry farming, and its a conversation you don't want to miss! Learn more about Opal Creek Farm.

In this episode of Organic Chat, we return to the Organic Growers Summit in Monterey, California to chat with industry leaders. You’ll hear from John McKeon, Director of Organic Integrity and Compliance at Taylor Farms, on what companies look for in graduating students and some of the challenges facing the organic industry. We talked with Scott Park of Park Farming Organics, an organic farm north of Sacramento, about his operation, the importance of creativity in organic agriculture, and growing demand for organic products. Finally, we hear a conversation with Matt Coniglio, the Vice President of Sales at Organic Growers Summit, about the next generation of agriculturalists and the future of automation in organic. Thanks for joining us!

In the fourth episode of the season, our hosts are joined by Cal Poly alum and center advisory board member Joel Leonard for a great chat about organic agriculture. Thanks for joining us!

In this episode of Organic Chat, we hear from center graduate students Megan Widle, Shane Egerstrom, and Ria Chhabra about their experience at the Organic Growers Summit and their research projects. Thanks for joining us! Special thanks to Cal Poly agricultural communication student and Organic Farm employee Henry Cremers for his work recording and filming these interviews.

In this episode, our hosts discuss common miscommunications that occur on social media regarding organic agriculture with special guest Dr. Matthew Grieshop, the center's director.

In this episode, our hosts sit down with Cal Poly alum and soil enthusiast Blake Alexandre of Alexandre Family Farm. Blake shares how decades of hands-on management shaped his soil-first approach to organic dairy production. He breaks down why soil health drives everything, from pasture productivity to cow wellbeing, and reflects on the lessons learned.

Season three Organic Odyssey hosts Ava Rose Regier and Madison Jasso are joined by Dr. Moses Mike to bust some organic myths in the first episode of the new season! For more information about the center, visit organic.calpoly.edu.

Please enjoy this weeks conversation with Dr Matthew Grieshop and Erica Rohr and Edgar Godoy from Bioworks.

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Grieshop sits down with Amanda Felder!

In the last episode of Season 2 of the Organic Odyssey, Host Emery Pura and step in Co-Host Katie Cook, sit down with panelist Dr. Matt Grieshop, Jo Ann Baumgartner. This project 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). For more information about the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, visit www.organic.calpoly.edu. Thanks for joining us!

In the eighth episode of Season 2 of the Organic Odyssey, Step in Host for the day Amanda Kidd and Co-Host Katie Cook, sit down with panelist Dr. Matt Grieshop, Scott Renteria and Danny Lee. This project 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). For more information about the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, visit www.organic.calpoly.edu. Thanks for joining us!

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Grieshop sits down with John Mckeon.

In the sixth episode of Season 2 of the Organic Odyssey, Host Emery Pura and Co-Host Amanda Kidd, sit down with panelist Dr. Matt Grieshop, Kim Hatfield and Jesse Beckett Parr. This project 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). For more information about the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, visit www.organic.calpoly.edu. Thanks for joining us!

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Grieshop sits down with Max Eatchel.

In the sixth episode of Season 2 of the Organic Odyssey, Host Emery Pura and Co-Host Amanda Kidd, sit down with panelist Dr. Matt Grieshop. This project 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). For more information about the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, visit www.organic.calpoly.edu. Thanks for joining us!

In this episode of Organic Chat, Dr. Matthew Grieshop sits down with Russ Kabaker.

In the fifth episode of Season 2 of the Organic Odyssey, Host Emery Pura and Co-Host Amanda Kidd, sit down with panelists Dr. Matt Grieshop, Patrick Baur and Joelle Mosso. This project 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). For more information about the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, visit www.organic.calpoly.edu. Thanks for joining us!

In the fourth episode of Season 2 of the Organic Odyssey, Host Emery Pura and Co-Host Amanda Kidd, sit down with panelists Dr. Matt Grieshop and special guest Jason Miller. This project 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). For more information about the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, visit www.organic.calpoly.edu. Thanks for joining us!

In the third episode of Season 2 of the Organic Odyssey, Host Emery Pura and Co-Host Amanda Kidd, sit down with panelists Dr. Matt Grieshop and Dr. Moses Mike. This project 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). For more information about the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, visit www.organic.calpoly.edu. Thanks for joining us!