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.
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 how advisors can help farmers find the right certifier. They discuss how certifiers differ on cus...
15 Sept 2026
Surface Fermentation: Building Organic Matter, Tilth, and Fertility
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, and incorporating them with shallow (2") tillage that preserves roots for future microbial activity. ...
18 Aug 2026
Using AI in Organic Ag
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 help operators and certifiers navigate USDA organic rules. They discuss where purpose-built, citation-backed tools...
21 Jul 2026
Scouting Stands for Replanting Plan
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 deciding when a field is worth replanting. They discuss reading population and weed pressure against unive...
9 Jun 2026
Meeting Spec: Maintaining Quality in Stored Organic Grain
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 after harvest. Resources mentioned in the episode: • USDA Visual Guide to Grading Grain: https://www.ams.usda.gov/si...
1 Apr 2026
Integrating Livestock Grazing on Grain Farms
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://www.organicagronomy.org/ 📅 Events & registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events ...
9 Mar 2026
Managing Perennial Weeds in Organic Grain Rotations
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 perennial weeds in organic grain rotations. Resources from this episode: Canada Thistle – Manage Weeds...
14 Nov 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 o...
22 Oct 2025
Organic Fertilizer - How Much?
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, family-owned company offering a full line of organic and non-GMO field crop seed. 🔗Learn more about Al...
1 Oct 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 Biological...
10 Aug 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-gtF86mVoUQqy...
28 Jul 2025
Tech in Organic Row Crops
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-owned company offering a full line of organic and non-GMO field crop seed. 🔗Learn more about Alb...
28 Jul 2025
Organic Weed Management in Soybeans
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 and non-GMO field crop seed. 🔗Learn more about Albert Lea Seed: https://alseed.com 🌱 Learn more...
22 Jul 2025
Organic Grain Market Outlook and Strategies
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 more about Albert Lea Seed: https://alseed.com 🌱 Learn more about OATS: https://www.organic...
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