Let’s Grow Organic Agriculture

Two UTRGV Agroecology students will participate in the University of California, Santa Cruz Agroecology Summer Field Quarter, where they will engage in hands-on organic farming, visit diversified farms and partner organizations, and learn directly from producers, researchers, and educators working in sustainable agriculture. Beyond technical skills, the experience will expand students’ professional networks and expose them to innovative approaches that they can bring back to the Rio Grande Valley. By investing in experiential learning and workforce development, this partnership advances TOPP’s mission of strengthening the organic agriculture community through education, mentorship, and the development of future organic producers and agricultural professionals.

Training to develop new Organic Handler Inspectors

A comprehensive online training course designed to train new Organic Handler Inspectors. This course is ideal for qualified applicants seeking to enter the field of organic inspection or strengthen their knowledge of the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations.

CCOF’s Organic Inspector training includes classroom-style online lectures, pre-course work, and weekly assignments. Courses are designed to equip participants with the regulatory knowledge, technical skills, and professional understanding needed to begin a career as an Organic Inspector.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2026

We are really looking forward to our beekeeping workshop at the end of July. This hands-on workshop will provide Garden Program participants with the opportunity to learn about harvesting honey while gaining a deeper understanding of seasonal hive management and beekeeping practices. Participants will explore the steps involved in preparing hives for a successful honey harvest, including spring hive assessments, common treatments, the use of queen excluders and honey supers, preparing supers for harvest, and the process of extracting honey using a manual honey extractor.

In addition to learning practical beekeeping skills, participants will explore the essential role that pollinators play in supporting healthy ecosystems and productive food gardens. The workshop will encourage participants to view bees with curiosity rather than fear, while highlighting simple ways to support pollinators, such as planting beneficial flowering species that also contribute to higher garden yields. By combining hands-on experience with education, the workshop will help participants build the confidence to care for bees on their own—whether by maintaining a backyard hive, expanding into a small apiary, or simply becoming stronger advocates for pollinator conservation within their communities.

Friday, July 31st — Gohyang Fields — Sebastopol, CA
We will be visiting Kristyn Leach, a leader in the seed sovereignty movement, at her new farm in Sonoma County. At Gohyang Fields, Kristyn preserves heirloom Korean seeds, cultivates community, and breeds Asian varieties through community informed processes. She is a partner with UC Davis for their SCOPE plant breeding project focusing on celtuce seed trials and crosses. The visit will include a farm tour, demonstration of different seed cleaning tools and techniques, and a conversation about seed saving and seed sovereignty.