Our Work

Activity Areas

Ongoing Projects

Mineralization Rates of Pelletized Organic Fertilizers

Organic Nutrient Management

Organic fertilizers are composed of complex blends of organic materials including blood, bone and feather meal, composts, and vegetable components. This project, organized by Dr. Charlotte Decock of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, evaluates commercially available fertilizers in the laboratory to determine their rates of nitrogen mineralization at different temperatures. Understanding nitrogen mineralization rates is important so that growers can match crop Nitrogen demands with an appropriate fertilizer rate.

Performance of Organic Plant Protectants

Organic Pest Management

The plant protectants (insecticides and fungicides) used in organic production are largely derived from biological sources and often consist of living organisms. Understanding which products work on which pest complexes is complicated. In this project, we are working with Dr. Shunping Ding of Plant Sciences and Wine & Viticulture to develop a database of existing organic plant protectants used in vegetable crops and the existing efficacy data for them. This will be used to develop simple look-up charts for growers that indicate how different products are likely to perform on the pest complexes of specific vegetable crops. This project will guide future plant protectant efficacy work by the center. 

Student Farm Crew and Researchers

Training Future Leaders and Workers

The center's graduate and undergraduate research assistants and the employees of the Cal Poly Organic Farm are trained in best practices for organic farming and research.

Helping Organic Consumers Recognize "Good Bugs" 

Education

Organic insect pest management is heavily reliant on biological control, or the use of "good bugs" to manage "bad bugs." Many organic growers plant specific flowering plants such as sweet alyssum, dill, or cilantro to provide habitat for these insects. However, produce buyers and consumers sometimes have difficulty telling these "good bugs" from the bad ones. In this project, we are working with Dr. Moses Mike of the Agriculture Education and Communication Department to develop social media pieces to educate organic consumers about why finding "good bugs" on their produce indicates that they are getting the synthetic pesticide-free products they are paying for! 

Podcast & Digital Communication

Education

The center is working with Dr. Moses Mike's Agricultural Communication class called Digital Communication in Agriculture (AGC 290) to produce organic education-based podcasts called Live in 225 and Organic Odyssey. It has also released short-form podcast episodes called Organic Chat. Listen here.

Regenerative Organic Vegetable Project

Education, Training Future Workers and Leaders, Organic Nutrient Management, Organic Pest Management

The center was awarded a Capacity Building Grant for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This fund will support regenerative agriculture test plots, fostering sustainable farming practices and environmental conservation. Dr. Charlotte Decock and Dr. Matthew Grieshop will lead the research into how regenerative organic practices affect soil health, weed growth, insect populations, and crop yield. Research teams are led by Una O'Connell and Megan Widle. This project is focused on experiential learning for Cal Poly students to expand their knowledge of sustainable and organic agricultural practices. For more information into the grant, click here.

Current Issues in California Organic Agriculture

Education, Training Future Workers and Leaders

Classes about current issues in California's organic agriculture industry prepare students in many areas to understand the longstanding and newly developing challenges facing farmers.

Annual Report

January 22, 2026 marks the fourth anniversary of the Grimm Family Center for Organic Production and Research. Center Director Dr. Matthew Grieshop developed a report that provides an overview of our progress in growing the center including our research, education, and outreach projects. You can download a copy of our report here.