Organic Advisor Call Series

Every certifier enforces the same USDA organic standard, so what actually sets them apart? In this episode, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS talks with Johanna Phillips of Strengthening Organic Systems, LLC, a certification and regulatory specialist with over 30 years in the organic sector, and Nate Powell-Palm, a longtime Montana organic farmer, inspector, and founding host of this call series, about...

A covercrop-and-tillage technique from Germany is catching interest for its ability to build organic matter, improve tilth, and raise fertility, all in a single pass. In this episode, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS talks with Tenzin Botsford of Red Door Family Farm in Athens, WI, about "surface fermentation" (Flächenrotte): growing dense covercrops, spraying them with a microbial inoculant,...

Two ag professionals are putting AI to work every day; find out how they apply it. In this episode, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS talks with Dan Perkins of Perkins' Good Earth Farm, a certified crop advisor who's farmed with AI all season using Advancing Eco Ag's FieldLark, and Franklin Smith, a longtime organic certification and handling professional who developed Organic Agent to he...

A weak stand can't stand up to weeds, so knowing when to replant matters as much as getting the planting right in the first place. In this episode, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS talks with Aaron Vercler, who farms a split organic and conventional operation near Washington, Illinois, and Ross Wilken, who farms over 4,000 all-organic acres around Danforth, Illinois, about scouting stands and deci...

You can't maintain grain quality if you don't know what's in the bin. In this Organic Advisor Call, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS talks with Curt Petrich of HC International about maintaining quality in stored organic grain. They discuss grain testing, documentation, storage management, and why understanding grain quality is essential for successful marketing and preserving value afte...

Livestock is a powerful tool for building soil health and boosting profitability. In this episode, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS talks with Clint Epley and Knute Severson—two farmers who've made it work—about the real-world logistics of integrating grazing into organic grain rotations, from fencing, water, and crop rotation to pasture management and marketing. 🌱 Learn more about OATS: https://...

Most organic weed management strategies work great, until you've got a creeping perennial. Canada thistle and field bindweed play by completely different rules, and in organic systems, managing them is less about control and more about learning to live with them strategically. In this episode, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS talks with Dr. Pat Carr and Will Glazik about how to manage these perenn...

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/g...

Organic fertilizer is expensive—so how do you know you're applying the right amount? In this episode, guest host Ashley Adair joins James Schroepfer to decode soil tests, compare manure sources, and use field history to create fertility plans that work for organic grain systems. This series is brought to you by the Organic Agronomy Training Service and Albert Lea Seed, a fourth-generation, fa...

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.e...

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 c...

Struggling with weeds in organic soybeans? You’re not alone. In this episode, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS talks with Sophie Rivest-Auger and Matt Sattelberg about real-world strategies for successful weed control in organic soybeans. 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...

Get to know the latest tech available today in organic agriculture. In this episode, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS leads a conversation with Seth Hesterberg, Clint Brauer, and Matt Sattelberg, each covering one of the three key topics: Camera-Guidance, Weeding Robots, and Drones. This series is brought to you by the Organic Agronomy Training Service and Albert Lea Seed, a fourth-generation, family-o...

In this first 2025 Organic Advisor Call, Sam Oschwald Tilton of OATS talks with Ryan Koory from Argus Media about what’s really moving the organic grain markets – beyond the headlines and chatter.  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. 🔗Learn...