Take a deep dive into strategies for managing insects and diseases in organic field crops in the Southwestern U.S.


What you will learn


This course provides a holistic understanding of insect and disease management strategies in organic field crops commonly grown in the Southwestern region of the United States. This region is comprised of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California. Crops discussed include cotton, peanuts, rice, small grains, forage crops, and forage crops.

  • The Southwest pest and disease landscape, including why arid conditions offer natural advantages but create unique vulnerabilities when problems emerge

  • National Organic Program requirements for pest and disease management, including the prevention-first hierarchy and approved input restrictions

  • Integrated Pest Management principles adapted for Southwest organic field crops, emphasizing ecosystem diversity in naturally sparse landscapes

  • Cultural control strategies specific to the region, including strategic rotation design for cotton-peanut systems, frost timing advantages in northern zones, and irrigation management to prevent disease pressure

  • Effective scouting and monitoring protocols that catch small larvae before they become unstoppable populations

  • Biological and botanical controls available to organic growers, including their limitations, application timing requirements, and realistic expectations for efficacy

  • The economic realities of intensive hand-weeding crews, weekly beneficial insect releases, and rescue treatments with limited residual activity
VIDEO LESSONS



QUIZ



CERTIFICATE



Table of Contents


  Introduction
Available in days
days after you enroll

Featured Farmers and Advisors

Throughout this course, you will hear from working organic farmers and subject matter experts who will share their personal experience and knowledge about each of the topics discussed in the lessons.

Rob Warren

TEXAS



Matthew Grieshop

CAL POLY, SLO


Justin Tuggle

TEXAS


Jennifer Reeve

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY


Bob Whitney

TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE


Theodore Weibe

TEXAS


Funder Acknowledgement


This work is supported through the United Stated 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).

FAQs


How long will it take me to complete the lessons?

We estimate that each lesson will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. This includes reading the online written materials, viewing the 15 minute instructional video, and taking the quiz. We estimate that total time investment for the course requires 2 hours to complete.


When will my access expire?

Never!


Do I need any qualifications to start the course?

We do not have any formal prerequisites to take this course. We recommend that you have an understanding of general agriculture principles and experience working in agriculture. This course assumes prior knowledge of field crop production practices and offers an extension of that knowledge into organic-specific practices and requirements.


Will this course enable me to find employment as an organic advisor?

This course will help set you apart from other advisors and consultants. It will provide you with the foundational knowledge you need to consult organic field crop farmers.


What do graduates do when they have completed this training?

Past OATS trainees put their knowledge to work in many different ways. Some are employees of input companies, some are independent consultants, and yet others are agricultural educators. Our trainees put their new knowledge to work by expanding their client base to include transitioning and certified organic producers.


Will I obtain a certificate or official course credits?

After completing the online materials, achieving a passing score on the course final quiz, you are eligible to receive the Certificate of Completion. Certificates are non-accredited.


What if I have more questions?

Contact [email protected] to learn more.



"Having been in New Mexico for over 15 years now, I'm still surprised when I go to new farms and see what they're like and see the unique conditions and the confluence of all these different factors that make up this specific ecosystem or agroecosystem."


- Tim Vos, organic advisor in New Mexico