Recordings from the 2024 Tilth Conference: Transition to Organic Sessions

eOrganic partnered with Tilth Alliance to record the Transition to Organic sessions at the Tilth conference on November 15-16, 2024 which celebrated 50 years of Tilth! From a meeting of nearly 800 farmers, gardeners and food system activists in Ellensburg, WA in 1974 to a network of thousands of food system professionals and activists spread throughout the Pacific Northwest, the Tilth movement has had a profound impact on the region’s food culture over the last 50 years. Scroll down to view the four recordings here or as a playlist on the eOrganic YouTube channel here!

Founders of the Organic Industry

Speakers: Lynn Coody, Organic Agsystems Consulting; David Granatstein, Washington State University; Anne Schwartz, Blue Heron Farm; Keith Walton, third generation farmer; Arran Stephens, Nature's Path Company.

Innovators with a strong vision built much of the organic industry we have today. They started small, but imagined a world where organic production was the norm. In this workshop you will hear from some of those innovators, their inspiration, vision and how the movement has changed.

Organic Certification Made Simple: Step-by-step Workshop

Speakers: Hanna Deacon, Organic Transition Specialist with Oregon Tilth and the Northwest Transition to Organic Partnership Program (NW TOPP); Levi Fredrikson, Oregon Tilth; Brenda Book, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture.

Thinking about organic certification for your farm or business? This session will provide step-by-step instructions on how to apply for organic certification and create an organic system plan. After reviewing the organic certification requirements and application process, you'll learn how the Transition to Organic Partnership Program can provide you with support. We will help you get started with your organic system plan and you will leave with clear, step-by-step guidance on the next steps for your journey to certification.

Organic Production in Practice: Perspectives from Growers

Speakers: Katie Jagger, Saltwater Seeds; Jordan Cohen, Hop Frog Farm.

As a certified organic producer, the maintenance of your production system falls to you; you and your team manage weeds, keep records, and balance soil fertility, all while finding ways to bring your product to market. Experience and advice from fellow producers can help.

NRCS Support for Organic and Transitioning Producers

Speakers: Marina Oriel, Oregon Tilth and Natural Resouces Conservation Service (NRCS); Rebecca Anderson Bellanca, NRCS; Raeanne Bettencourt, NRCS; Stephanie Payne, NRCS.

This session will focus on technical and financial support the NRCS has to offer for organic and transitioning-to-organic producers. NRCS conservation practices that can help producers meet organic regulations while conserving natural resources will be discussed, including the 823 Organic Management practice and NRCS’s role in the USDA Organic Transition Initiative.

Acknowledgements

Funding for these publicly available recordings was provided by the USDA Transition to Organic (TOPP) program. Special thanks to Oregon Tilth and Tilth Alliance, and to Aba Kiser of Watershed Productions for collaboration on the recording!