Recent News
Center team members receive industry awards
Nov 26, 2025
Center Team Members Recognized for Excellence in Research and Staff Leadership
Three members of our Center team, Gwendolyn Richards, Anna Rodriguez-Paiatsyka, and Megan Widle, were recently recognized for their exceptional contributions to research, leadership, and innovation in agriculture and soil science.
Gwendolyn Richards, a student researcher, received the Viticulture Poster Award at the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) Student Presentation Awards. Her poster, “Assessing Carbon Saturation Potential of Regeneratively Managed Vineyard Soils,” highlights her work exploring how soil carbon responds to regenerative management practices in vineyard systems. Her research contributes to a deeper understanding of soil health and the role of carbon in resilient organic production systems.
Anna Rodriguez-Paiatsyka, Soils Lab Manager, was recognized at the CAFES Faculty and Staff Awards event with the Early Career Staff Award. This award honors early-career professionals who demonstrate exceptional initiative, leadership, and commitment to supporting student learning and applied research. Anna’s work is central to the success of our student researchers and to the quality and consistency of data produced through the Center’s soils program.
Megan Widle, a graduate researcher, earned second place for her poster presentation at CANVAS 2025, held in Salt Lake City and jointly hosted by ASA, CSSA, and SSSA. Her recognition reflects the strength of her ongoing master’s research and the collaborative support of her advisors and lab team. Megan shared that she is honored to receive this award and looks forward to completing her master’s program and publishing her full findings early next year.
These achievements highlight the depth of talent across our research community and the commitment of emerging scholars and staff who are advancing applied research in soil health, viticulture, and organic agriculture. We extend our congratulations to Gwendolyn, Anna, and Megan for their accomplishments and for the impact of their work within the Center and beyond.
Center Director Attends USDA Southwest TOPP Gathering at Paicines Ranch
Nov 26, 2025
Dr. Matt Grieshop, director of the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, participated in the USDA Southwest Region Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) gathering from November 17 to November 20 at Paicines Ranch. The meeting brought together the full Southwest TOPP team for the first time to assess progress, identify challenges, and outline priorities for the project's final year. Discussions also included updates on several collaborative efforts funded through the program, including the center’s podcast series focused on organic agriculture.
In addition to the meeting sessions, attendees took part in field visits across the region to observe organic production and post-harvest practices in diverse contexts.
Stops included:
- Lakeside Organic Gardens
- Reiter Ranch, a Driscoll’s grower specializing in blackberries and raspberries
- Earthbound Farm's vegetable packing facility
- U.C. Santa Cruz's Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
These visits provided valuable insight into production systems, innovation in protected culture, and strategies for scaling organic operations while maintaining soil health and ecological balance.
As part of the ongoing work highlighted during the gathering, the Center released episode two of its podcast series on November 26, featuring an interview with Blake Alexandre of Alexandre Family Farm, who shares his perspective on soil health, grazing systems, and the evolution of his family’s operation.
The center looks forward to continuing its collaboration with partners across the Southwest TOPP region as the project advances into its final year.
Second Season of Grimm Organic Center Podcast Launches: Organic Odyssey
Oct 1, 2024
The Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research is excited to announce the release of the second season of the Grimm Organic Center Podcast, called Organic Odyssey.
Growing together: Meet the team behind Cal Poly’s Organic Farm
Aug 23, 2024
By Emily Tobiason for Mustang News
"Situated in front of Cal Poly’s dairy center, rodeo grounds and veterinary clinic is the 8-acre farm that grows various certified organic crops year-round, according to the Plant Sciences website. With the help of a supervisor, the farm is run entirely by students... the Organic Farm has provided Learn By Doing experiences for students in plant sciences, soil sciences, nutrition and more since 2000."
To read more about the Organic Farm, click here.
The Grimm Family Soil Health and Sustainability Lab Grand Opening
May 30, 2024
On May 21, the Grimm Family Soil Health and Sustainability Lab was unveiled with a ribbon cutting, a tour of the Organic Farm, and a luncheon. Students and faculty shared their work with ongoing research projects.
How Cal Poly’s Grimm Family Center fills industry needs for organic farming research
May 22, 2024
by Chloe Lovejoy for Mustang News
May 20, 2024
“'The amount of student involvement on farms here is second to none,' O’Neil said.
This is where things get hands-on for the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research, which is committed to providing industry growers with the research they need to improve their farming practices, both in efficiency and environmentally.
The added bonus – students get to practice real farming; from weeding, to planting, to driving a tractor, students need only make a short walk from Cal Poly’s main campus to get to the farm."
To read more of the article from Mustang News, click here.
Plant Sciences Department Advisory Council Visit
May 20, 2024
On May 3, the Cal Poly Plant Sciences Department Advisory Council visited the Organic Farm for a tour led by the center's director, Dr. Matthew Grieshop.
TOPP Success in the Northwest, West/Southwest, and Midwest
Apr 9, 2024
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service: TOPP Programs Deliver Mentorship, Technical Assistance, Community Building, and Workforce Development to Next Generation of Organic Professionals in California
Cal Poly ASM builds the Organic Farm a field chiller for produce
Dec 15, 2023
During the Fall Quarter of 2023, Cal Poly Agricultural Systems Management student Sam Monckton constructed an evaporative cooler for the Cal Poly Organic Farm to store leafy greens and other vegetables during harvest. Watch the video of its construction by clicking here.
Cal Poly awarded a USDA grant for field equipment sanitation research
Nov 17, 2023
Cal Poly was awarded a Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This grant will be used for a project called, "Taming Agriculture's Elephant: Broadening the Conversation About Field Equipment Sanitation Practices for Specialty Crops."
