Grimm Organic Center Podcast

Sustainable Agriculture: Beyond the Buzzwords with Greg Rawlings

In Episode 7 of Organic Odyssey, Greg Rawlings joins Madison Jasso and Matthew Grieshop for a conversation about his journey from cancer drug research to managing organic farmland in California.
As a chemistry and biology double major at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Greg originally worked in cancer drug research before discovering a passion for agriculture. He shares how he got his start on a strawberry farm, operated his own farm, and eventually joined Jacobs Farm del Cabo, where he manages organic production at Swanton Pacific Ranch and other locations.
The episode explores organic farming, regenerative agriculture, soil health, and plant disease management through Greg’s firsthand experiences growing herbs, tomatoes, strawberries, and more on California’s Coast.
Topics covered in this episode include:
The transition from scientific research to organic farming
The impact of soluble nutrients on strawberry flavor
Lessons from Late Blight and the Irish Potato Famine
Challenges of disease management in organic agriculture
What regenerative agriculture really means in practice
Sustainable farming systems and the future of agriculture
Whether you’re interested in organic agriculture, regenerative farming, soil science, sustainable food production, or California farming, this episode offers an in-depth look at the science and strategy behind modern organic agriculture.

What Does Regenerative Really Mean? Eric Morgan & Elizabeth Whitlow

What Does Regenerative Really Mean? Organic vs. Conventional Approaches with Eric Morgan and Elizabeth Whitlow
The word "regenerative" is everywhere in agriculture right now, but what does it actually mean, and does it have to start with organic? In this episode of Organic Odyssey, we sit down with two experts who have been in the room where those definitions get made.
Elizabeth Whitlow is the Executive Director of the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), a nonprofit that oversees Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), a rigorous certification for food, textiles, and personal care ingredients built on three pillars: soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness.
Eric Morgan is the CEO of Rooted Ag Inc. and founder of Soil Health Lab LLC, with nearly 30 years of experience in pest control, soil science, and regenerative agriculture. A Cal Poly SLO Fruit Science graduate and former VP of Environmental Science at Braga Fresh, Eric is a frequent public speaker on regenerative farming and its role in the future of agriculture.
Both Elizabeth and Eric served on the CDFA's Regenerative Agriculture Definition Work Group, a body assembled in 2024 to help California define "regenerative agriculture" for state policies and programs.
In this conversation, our panel digs into what sets organic regenerative farming apart from conventional regenerative approaches, why biodiversity and low- and no-till practices matter for long-term soil health, and how food safety fits into the regenerative framework. Whether you're a farmer, student, or curious consumer, this episode breaks down one of the most important conversations happening in agriculture today.
Topics covered:
- The difference between organic and conventional regenerative farming- Biodiversity on organic farms and low- and no-till practices- Soil health as the foundation of regenerative agriculture- Food safety considerations in regenerative systems- How California is defining regenerative agriculture at the state level

Lessons from a Direct-to-Consumer Farm: Anne Rauscher + Swallowtail Farm

In this episode of Organic Chat, host Dr. Matthew Grieshop sits down with Anne Rauscher of Swallowtail Farm in Mason, Michigan, at the EcoFarm Conference.
Anne shares her experience building a small-scale, direct-to-consumer farm using organic growing practices without formal certification. The conversation explores what “organic” means in practice, emphasizing soil health, ecosystem management, and transparency with customers.
They discuss key challenges and lessons from over a decade of farming, including how to balance crop selection between what grows well and what the market demands, the importance of customer relationships, and strategies for long-term farm sustainability.
Anne also shares how Swallowtail Farm extends its growing season in a cold climate using hoop houses and greenhouses, allowing for an extended growing season of crops like salad greens, tomatoes, and flowers.
This episode is a valuable resource for farmers, agricultural professionals, and anyone interested in sustainable agriculture, small farm business management, and local food systems.

Organic Chat: Part 20 - CAPCA Conference

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.
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.

Organic Odyssey: Episode 5 - Brian Coltrin

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 it's a conversation you don't want to miss!
Learn more about Opal Creek Farm.

Organic Chat: Part 19 - John McKeon, Scott Park, & Matt Coniglio

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!

Organic Odyssey: Season 3, Episode 4 - Joel Leonard

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!

Organic Chat: Part 18 - Graduate Students at OGS

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.