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October 1 @ 8:30 am – 1:30 pm PDT

Moving Agriculture From Sink to Source

In plant physiology, young leaves function as sinks. They require energy and nutrients to grow. As they mature, they become sources, producing carbohydrates through photosynthesis and supporting the rest of the plant. Modern agriculture operates as a sink, dependent on continuous external inputs such as water, fertilizers, energy, and plastic to maintain productivity. Future agriculture operates as a source, a source of clean water, stable soils, local food security, and economic durability for the communities around it.

Healthy soils increase water infiltration rather than generating runoff. Rain moves through biologically active soil layers, where it is filtered and gradually returned to local aquifers, supporting regional groundwater recharge. Carbon captured through photosynthesis is stabilized in the soil, improving structure, moderating field temperatures, and reducing erosion risk. Hedgerows support pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects while also encouraging natural predators that help regulate rodent populations and reduce reliance on chemical control. By reinforcing these processes, agriculture contributes directly to water quality, production stability, and local economic continuity.

This Field Day examines that transition. We will take a critical look at plastic mulch, widely used in both conventional and organic systems, and present research on high-residue cover crops and reduced tillage as biologically driven alternatives. This is not about eliminating a material. It is about redesigning how the system functions.

Event Schedule

8:30-9:00 Registration and Gathering

9:00-9:30 Opening Remarks and Welcome

  • Introduction to Rodale Institute and specifically COC
  • Agenda run through
  • History of ranch from Phil McGrath

9:30-9:50 Transition to Field for First Stations

9:50-10:20 Session A

  • Red Group at  Station 1: Cover Crops in California
  • Blue Group at Station 2: High-residue Vegetable Trial
  • Green Group at Station 3: Rodale Institute Organic Consulting

10:25-10:55 Session B

  • Red Group at Station 3: Rodale Institute Organic Consulting
  • Blue Group at Station 1: Cover Crops in California
  • Green Group at Station 2: High-residue Vegetable Trial

11:00-11:30 Session C

  • Red Group at Station 2: High-residue Vegetable Trial
  • Blue Group at Station 3: Rodale Institute Organic Consulting
  • Green Group at Station 1: Cover Crops in California

11:35-11:55 Additional time for questions, observing equipment, or equipment demonstrations

11:55-12:15 Transition back to Baby Root Farm Space

12:15-1:00 Lunch

1:00-1:20 Future plans and next steps in Ventura County

1:20-1:30 Thank you and closing remarks

Station Descriptions:

Station 1: Cover Crops in California: Dr. Arianna Bozzolo will speak about the importance of cover crops, what benefits they can provide to a California organic farmer, and results from research trials on cover crops. Dr. Elia Scudiero, UC Riverside, will also discuss how soil and crop sensing technologies can help us understand field variability, monitor soil moisture and other soil properties, and support better irrigation and management decisions in regenerative and organic systems.
Station 2: High-residue Vegetable Trial: Dr. Jacob Pecenka will share the results of a long term trial at the COC examining how high-residue cover cropping can provide weed suppression, water retention, and soil health benefits while maintaining vegetable yields.
Station 3: Rodale Institute Organic Consulting: Nathaniel Gonzales-Siemens and the rest of the local consulting team will discuss organic transition and certification support along with direct technical assistance available to the region’s growers

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