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 overview: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-organic-initiative 
• NRCS Organic Transition Initiative fact sheet (PDF): https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/2023-NRCS-Organic%20Transition%20Initiative%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf 
• NRCS conservation planning information: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/conservation-technical-assistance/conservation-planning 
• CSP program summary insert (PDF): https://sustainableagriculture.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-CSP-Insert-On-Screen.pdf 

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.

This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

🔗Learn more about Albert Lea Seed: https://alseed.com 

🌱 Learn more about OATS: https://www.organicagronomy.org/ 

📅 Events & registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events 

📚 Resource Library: https://www.organicagronomy.org/resource-library 

📧 Join our listserv: https://www.organicagronomy.org/join-listserv

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 Albert Lea Seed: https://alseed.com 

🌱 Learn more about OATS: https://www.organicagronomy.org

📅 Events & Registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events 

📚 Resource Library: https://www.organicagronomy.org/resource-library 

📧 Join our Newsletter: https://www.organicagronomy.org/subscribe 

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.pdf
• Video Presentation - Understanding Biologicals For Improved Soybean Management:  https://fieldadvisor.org/webinar-understanding-biologicals-improved-soybean-management/  
• Slides - What We Know About Biologicals Today: https://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-Biological-Summary.pdf  

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.

This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

🔗Learn more about Albert Lea Seed: https://alseed.com 

🌱 Learn more about OATS: https://www.organicagronomy.org/ 

📅 Events & registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events 

📚 Resource Library: https://www.organicagronomy.org/resource-library 

📧 Join our listserv: https://www.organicagronomy.org/join-listserv

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-gtF86mVoUQqyAYicj3q0_bkTQn/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107209151549663357945&rtpof=true&sd=true
🧰 DIY White Board Kit from FarmFlow:
https://www.tryfarmflow.com/diykit
🌾 Learn more about FarmFlow:
https://www.tryfarmflow.com/

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.

This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

🔗Learn more about Albert Lea Seed: https://alseed.com
🌱 Learn more about OATS: https://www.organicagronomy.org/
📅 Events & registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events
📚 Resource Library: https://www.organicagronomy.org/resource-library
📧 Join our listserv: https://www.organicagronomy.org/join-listserv

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 Albert Lea Seed: https://alseed.com
🌱 Learn more about OATS: https://www.organicagronomy.org/
📅 Events & registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events
📚 Resource Library: https://www.organicagronomy.org/resource-library
📧 Join our listserv: https://www.organicagronomy.org/join-listserv

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 about OATS: https://www.organicagronomy.org/
📅 Events & registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events
📚 Resource Library: https://www.organicagronomy.org/resource-library
📧 Join our listserv: https://www.organicagronomy.org/join-listserv

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.organicagronomy.org/
📅 Events & registration: https://www.organicagronomy.org/events
📚 Resource Library: https://www.organicagronomy.org/resource-library
📧 Join our listserv: https://www.organicagronomy.org/join-listserv