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

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.

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.