Farmer Perspectives on Transitioning to Organic - Transition Webinar Series

Farmer Perspectives on Transitioning to Organic

Week 1: Introduction to the webinar series and a farmer panel on why go organic, challenges, and lessons learned.

Important information:

Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Time: 12:00 – 1:15 PM (presentation + Q&A), Optional Office Hours: 1:15 – 2:00 PM

Hosted by: UC Organic Agriculture Institute (OAI), Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) and UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE)

Registration: Required, register here to get the zoom link. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions of the webinar, which runs from January 14-March 18, 2026, to gain the full benefit of the program, but is not required. See below for the full schedule.

Cost: Thanks to our funders this series is offered at no cost

Location: Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)

Questions?: Contact Katharina Ullmann (kullmann@ucanr.edu) Office: 530-786-0224 or Grace Jackson (grace@caff.org)

Join us for a 10-week Transition to Organic Webinar Series 

This webinar series is designed to help farmers transition to certified organic production. Each session features a 75-minute presentation and discussion, followed by optional office hours for deeper conversation and one-on-one support. 

On January 14 we will provide an introduction to the series and hear from a panel of farmers about their experience transitioning to organic. See below for the full schedule.

This series is intended for farmers preparing to transition to organic certification or strengthening their organic management systems. Sessions will cover key aspects of the transition process—from certification requirements and recordkeeping to building soil health, pest management, and marketing organic products.

Presenters include UC ANR Farm Advisors, nonprofit partners, organic inspectors, and experienced organic producers. Webinar recordings will be available on YouTube after the series ends. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) applied for.

Each session will include Spanish and Hmong interpretation

Cada taller incluirá interpretación simultánea al español.

Yog koj hais lus Hmoob, caw kog tuaj koom lub rooj cob qhia txog kev ua teb (thamabxaj) organic, peb txhais ua lus Hmoob thiab.

A webinar series to walk farmers through the organic transition process

Week 1 – January 14
Farmer Perspectives on Transitioning to Organic
Introduction to the series and a farmer panel on why go organic, challenges, and lessons learned.
Moderator: Molly Nakahara, Education Manager at The CCOF Foundation
Panelists: Héktor Calderón-Victoria, Three Feathers Farm and Justin Miller, Twin Peaks Orchard

Week 2 – January 21
Steps to Organic Certification
Certification process overview, developing your Organic System Plan (OSP), and key recordkeeping and biodiversity requirements.
Speakers: Katharina Ullmann, UC Organic Agriculture Institute and Grace Jackson, Community Alliance with Family Farmers

Week 3 – January 28
Organic Markets and Marketing
Understanding organic markets, pricing, and how to identify your buyers.
Speakers: TBD

Week 4 – February 4
Allowed Inputs and Materials and Biodiversity Conservation
Determining what products are allowed and what input records to keep.
Farm practices that maintain and improve biodiversity and natural resources.
Speakers: Jamie Collins, Owner of Serendipity Farms and Organic Inspector and Jo Ann Baumgartner, Executive Director of Wild Farm Alliance

Week 5 – February 11
Building Soil Health in Transitioning Soils Part 1: Soil life 
Managing soil life, fertility and nutrients using organic practices.
Speakers: Joji Muramoto, CE Extension Specialist with UC Cooperative Extension and Scott Park, Farmer of Park Farming Organics 

Week 6 – February 18
Building Soil Health in Transitioning Soils Part 2: Soil amendments
Using organic amendments to build soil health.
Speaker: Margaret Lloyd, Small and Organic Farms Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension

Week 7 – February 25
Building Soil Health in Transitioning Soils Part 3: Cover Crops
Selecting species, seeding rates, and integrating cover crops into nutrient management.
Speaker: Sarah Light, Agronomy Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension 

Week 8 – March 4
Managing Pests and Diseases Organically
Prevention-based strategies and approved materials for pest management.
Speakers: Eric Middleton, Integrated Pest Management Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension and Margaret Lloyd, Small and Organic Farms Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension 

Week 9 – March 11
Organic Weed Management
Ecological, mechanical, and herbicide-based weed control approaches for organic systems.
Speakers: Matt Fatino, Subtropical Crop Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension and Tong Zhen, Graduate Student at UC Davis 

Week 10 – March 18
Preparing for Organic Inspection
What to expect during an inspection and tips from producers and inspectors.
Speakers: Megan Robertson, Owner of Alluvial Organics and Organic Inspector and Tom Page, Owner of Page's Organics Farm and Organic Inspector

(CEU details forthcoming.)