{"id":242,"date":"2026-01-12T16:14:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T00:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/?p=242"},"modified":"2026-01-20T10:51:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T18:51:23","slug":"uc-organic-ag-institute-brings-together-producers-and-technical-assistance-at-first-regional-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2026\/01\/12\/uc-organic-ag-institute-brings-together-producers-and-technical-assistance-at-first-regional-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"UC Organic Ag Institute\u00a0Brings Together\u00a0Producers and Technical\u00a0Assistance at First Regional Conference\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The UC Organic Agriculture Institute<\/strong><\/a> (OAI) hosted its first San Diego regional conference<\/a> this past fall, bringing together over 100 attendees\u2014including 50+ organic farmers\u2014for farm visits, expert panels, and one-on-one consultations. San Diego County currently has the highest number of certified organic farms in California, and the large diversity of crops and knowledge was on display at the conference. Farm tours included crops ranging from avocados to guava to watermelons. The tour was filled with discussion on how to farm productively in the dry San Diego climate. Indoor programming included panels featuring technical assistance providers and sessions on the details of running a successful and sustainable organic business. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Organic agave grower Ofelia Lichtenheld (left) \u2013 a recipient of OARS Healthy Soils Program and Organic Transition Pilot Program \u2013  and\u202fBrandon Wickes (right) from\u202fCommunity Alliance with Family Farmers\u202fwith their hand-picked watermelons from Golden Eagle Farm. Photo by Caroline Champlin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Partial support for the conference came from an OARS grant to OAI \u2013 Advancing Organic Agriculture in California \u2013 and the conference featured technical assistance providers for multiple OARS programs including Healthy Soils Program, Pollinator Habitat Program, and the Organic Transition Pilot Program. Technical assistance is a service to advise and educate farmers and ranchers on a wide variety of issues- from on-farm practices to business management. OARS funds a variety of free technical assistance to ensure that growers of all sizes can access expert help that builds resilience and supports a sustainable and thriving future. Seeing the relationships that on-the-ground technical assistance providers have built with the regional farmers was a highlight of the conference.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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Rufus Jimenez, a member of the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, serves as the supervisor of Golden Eagle Farm, an organic farm in San Diego County. Photo by Caroline Champlin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For more information on the conference, visit https:\/\/ucanr.edu\/blog\/green-blog\/article\/san-diego-organic-ag-conference<\/a>. Look for another regional conference from OAI in 2026! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To keep\u00a0up\u00a0with technical\u00a0assistance\u00a0opportunities for OARS programs,\u00a0follow us\u00a0on social media or visit our webpage<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The UC Organic Agriculture Institute (OAI) hosted its first San Diego regional conference this past fall, bringing together over 100 attendees\u2014including 50+ organic farmers\u2014for farm visits, expert panels, and one-on-one consultations. San Diego County currently has the highest number of certified organic farms in California, and the large diversity of crops and knowledge was on display at the conference. Farm tours included crops ranging from avocados to guava … Continue reading UC Organic Ag Institute\u00a0Brings Together\u00a0Producers and Technical\u00a0Assistance at First Regional Conference\u00a0<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[9],"class_list":["post-242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-event-recap","tag-opca","fallback-thumbnail"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/456A5127-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":42,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/02\/01\/boosting-soil-health-a-walnut-growers-success-story-with-the-healthy-soils-program\/","url_meta":{"origin":242,"position":0},"title":"Boosting Soil Health: A Walnut Grower’s Success Story with the Healthy Soils Program","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"February 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Farming practices are rapidly evolving, and sustainability is at the forefront of this transformation. In this case study, we explore how a California walnut grower successfully enhanced soil health, improved water conservation, and reduced pest issues by leveraging the Healthy Soils Program (HSP). 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Although the reason for the cancellation was based in\u00a0science, the decision left many vegetable growers in California\u00a0at a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Informational"","block_context":{"text":"Informational","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/informational\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"An Alternative to\u00a0Dacthal\u00a0","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dactal.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dactal.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dactal.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dactal.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":154,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/07\/28\/supporting-biodiversity-in-olives-a-regenerative-approach-to-habitat-integration\/","url_meta":{"origin":242,"position":2},"title":"Supporting Biodiversity in Olives: A Regenerative Approach to Habitat Integration","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"July 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"At the International Olive Sustainability Conference, the Center for Regenerative Agriculture researchers demonstrate on-farm biodiversity through an interactive tour of a hedgerow funded by the CDFA Pollinator Habitat Program\u00a0 Dr. Boyd highlights a leaf serving as habitat for natural enemies to global industry professionals In September 2024, the UC Davis\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Informational"","block_context":{"text":"Informational","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/informational\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Dr. Boyd highlights a leaf serving as habitat for natural enemies to global industry professionals","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Boyd_1_2025_Chico.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":143,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/07\/28\/california-conservation-planning-partnership-c2p2-advances-the-oars-technical-assistance-program-goals\/","url_meta":{"origin":242,"position":3},"title":"California Conservation Planning Partnership (C2P2) advances the OARS Technical Assistance Program Goals","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"July 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"CDFA & OARS are committed to supporting farmers through the C2P2 MOA, uniting key partners for effective conservation practices.","rel":"","context":"In "Informational"","block_context":{"text":"Informational","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/informational\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Dr. Sara Garcia, OARS Technical Assistance Coordinator, represents CDFA\u2019s OARS team in a C2P2 Panel Discussion at the 2024 CARCD State Conference","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-CARCD-State-Conference.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-CARCD-State-Conference.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-CARCD-State-Conference.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-CARCD-State-Conference.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":318,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2026\/05\/05\/healthy-soils-week-in-action-at-twin-peaks-orchards\/","url_meta":{"origin":242,"position":4},"title":"Healthy Soils Week in Action at Twin Peaks Orchards","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"May 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"On April 9,\u00a0Healthy Soils Week was\u00a0marked\u00a0with a\u00a0memorable\u00a0tour of Twin Peaks Orchards in Newcastle,\u00a0offering a firsthand look at how state investments in soil health are supporting resilient farms and sustainable food systems across California. The Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability\u00a0(OARS)\u00a0partnered\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0Community Alliance of Family Farmers\u00a0(CAFF)\u00a0to bring together\u00a0legislative staffers,\u00a0CDFA\u00a0personnel, and a\u00a0Cal Recycle\u00a0team\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Producer Success Story"","block_context":{"text":"Producer Success Story","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/producer-success-story\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260409_204604315_iOS-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260409_204604315_iOS-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260409_204604315_iOS-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260409_204604315_iOS-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260409_204604315_iOS-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260409_204604315_iOS-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/01\/23\/sustainability-spotlight-vander-woude-dairys-digester\/","url_meta":{"origin":242,"position":5},"title":"Anaerobic Dairy Digester Converts Methane to Renewable Natural Gas in Merced County","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"January 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Vander Woude Dairy is transforming sustainability in agriculture. This family-owned farm in Merced, California, has implemented a cutting-edge methane digester, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 24,000 MTCO\u2082e annually and converting waste into Renewable Compressed Natural Gas (R-CNG). 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