Take a dive into weed management for organic field crops in Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
What you will learn
This course provides a holistic understanding of weed management strategies in organic field crops commonly grown in the northern tier of 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.
- Understand NOP regulations governing weed management practices
- Explain how Southwest environmental conditions influence weed management strategies
- Recommend integrated approaches combining cultural, mechanical, and biological practices
- Assess farm transition pathways and their impact on weed pressure
- Develop realistic timelines for achieving sustainable weed management systems
VIDEOS
QUIZ
CERTIFICATE
Table of Contents
- Welcome to the Course
- Pre-Evaluation
- Weed Management Reality in the Southwest
- Regulatory Foundation for Weed Management
- Video: Organic Weed Management in the Southwest
- Timeline for Weed Management
- Equipment Considerations
- Cultural Weed Management Strategies
- Rice: A Unique Grain in the Southwest
- Long-Term System and Realistic Expectations
- Supporting Farmer Success
- Resources for Continued Learning
- Quiz
- Post-Evaluation
Farmers Featured in the Video Lessons
Theodore Wiebe
TEXAS
Justin Tuggle
TEXAS
Rob Warren
TEXAS
David Warren
TEXAS
Jennifer Reeve
UTAH
Bob Whitney
TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE
Yadi Wang
NEW MEXICO
Matthew Grieshop
CAL POLY, SLO
Anders Lundberg
CALIFORNIA
Tim Vos
NEW MEXICO
Tim Vos
NEW MEXICO
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 lesson 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.