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This Month
As we move into the heart of winter, farmers, researchers and conservation partners across the country are entering a busy season of learning, planning, and collaboration.
Winter is often when growers sharpen strategies, explore new conservation practices, and strengthen the relationships that support a resilient and productive food system.
From WFA's educational series spanning California to the Midwest, to field days and summits, the months ahead offer meaningful opportunities to advance wild farming, regenerative systems, strengthen biodiversity, and refine on-farm practices.
Below you’ll find upcoming events, our Valentine campaign, resources, and insights we think you won't want to miss.
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California CE Sustainable Pest Management Online Courses
Wild Farm Alliance is pleased to release six free courses designed to help growers and pest management practitioners successfully integrate sustainable pest management strategies in their operations. Four are newly developed and two continue to be offered. Each course explores a piece of the puzzle. From supporting beneficial birds, bats, and insects to building healthy soils and diverse habitats, you’ll learn how to strengthen ecological health and reduce chemical reliance. We share practical tools and whole-farm strategies from experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology, conservation, and more.
The courses are approved for continuing education credit in California through the Department of Pesticide Regulation, though anyone is welcome to take them.
Courses are either three or four credit hours. They can be taken at your leisure over several days or weeks as needed.
This project was funded by the Department of Pesticide Regulation. The contents may not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the State of California.
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Our Popular Valentine Campaign is Back!
Send a Card & Let Love Bloom for Wildlife
Celebrate the season of love by making a gift that keeps on giving—to both your loved ones and the planet. This Valentine’s Day, instead of cut flowers with a fleeting lifespan, send a wildlife-supporting gift that will blossom for years to come.
Here’s how it works:
When you donate $20 in honor of someone special, we’ll help farms design and install native hedgerow plants, creating vital habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife. With each $20 donation, we’ll send a Valentine’s Day card to your recipient, complete with your personalized message.
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Role of Birds on Midwest Farms Webinar Series
Lesson 6: Tree Swallows Helping Farmers Fight Pests
February 3, 2026, 11:00 am CT
In September we launched our webinar course, Role of Birds on Midwest Farms. If you missed any of the first five lessons, you can find the recordings below.
In lesson 6, learn how growers are utilizing Tree Swallows to manage flies in cattle operations, and ways to support these birds on farms.
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Putting Beneficial Insects to Work Webinar
Tuesday, February 17, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PST
Learn how beneficial insects contribute to pest control and how you can encourage them to live and stay within close proximity to crops.
Speakers: Dr. David G James, Associate Professor of Entomology at Washington State University; Saul Alba, BioBee USA
We have requested and expect to offer 1.5 CE credits from California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
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Video Spotlight: Nonlegume Winter Cover Crops make Vegetable Production more Sustainable & Protect Water Quality
Celebrated horticulturist and USDA scientist Dr. Eric Brennan recently released a new video highlighting his latest research on nonlegume winter cover crops. Dr. Brennan is known for sharing rigorous science through detailed and often whimsical videos that make complex research topics accessible.
This video was originally compiled for a presentation to the Agricultural Expert Panel of the California State Water Board. You can learn more about Dr. Brennan’s work and its broader impact in a 2023 feature from The Organic Farming Research Foundation.
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Burroughs Family Farms 5th Annual Tree Nut Field Day
January 27-28, 2026 in Snelling, California
Join Wild Farm Alliance at the 5th Annual Tree Nut Field Day at Burroughs Family Farms. This two-day event brings together growers, researchers, and industry professionals for dynamic sessions led by respected agricultural leaders from across the state. Topics will highlight innovation, research, and practical strategies shaping the future of California tree nut production. WFA will be tabling alongside a variety of agricultural organizations. Stop by and say hello!
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Transition to Organic Webinar Series
Wednesdays • January 14 – March 18, 2026 • 12:00-1:15pm PT
Are you considering transitioning your crop operation to organic? The Transition to Organic Webinar Series offers a free, ten-week deep dive into every major step of the organic transition process. Each session features practical guidance from extension specialists, experienced farmers, and technical assistance providers covering topics such as certification basics, recordkeeping, soil fertility, weed and pest management, market access, and inspection preparation.
On February 4, 2026, WFA Executive Director Jo Ann Baumgartner will give a presentation called Allowed Inputs and Materials and Biodiversity Conservation.
Spanish and Hmong interpretation will be available at every session. Each presentation and Q&A is followed by optional office hours 1:15 pm - 2 pm. Hosted by CAFF, UC Organic Agriculture Institute (UC OAI), and UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE).
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10th Annual Virtual Pollinators Summit
February 24-26, 2026
The Best Practices for Pollinators Summit celebrates 10 years of pollinator learnings. This three-day event features live presentations from a wide range of experts sharing practical knowledge and innovative approaches to ecologically sound land management. Topics span pollinator biology, habitat installation, pesticide reduction, wildlife conservation, climate resilience, and clean water protection.
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37th Annual Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference
February 26-28, 2026 in La Crosse, Wisconsin
Marbleseed’s Organic Farming Conference is a highlight for Wild Farm Alliance’s Midwest team. For more than 30 years, Marbleseed has built strong community among small- and mid-sized farmers, leveraging deep regional relationships to grow the Midwest’s organic farming movement. With an emphasis on diversified farming, the conference convenes growers, researchers, agriculture professionals, and people interested in building a sustainable food system. While vendors and attendees come from all over the country, the emphasis is on farming practices in the Upper Midwest. This year’s theme is Abundance Grows in Solidarity.
Featured speakers include Luke Zahm, chef and host of Wisconsin Foodie; Regi Haslett Marroquin, founder of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance; Austin Frerick, food policy expert and author of Barons; and Zach Ducheneaux, rancher and former administrator of the USDA Farm Service Agency.
WFA will be tabling at the event and hosting a hands-on learning session about songbirds with an option to build and purchase a nest box.
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Triple F Ranch’s 2nd Annual Regenerative On-Farm Field Day
February 26th, 2026 in Hanford, California
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, Triple F Ranch owner Richard Felipe welcomes attendees back to his family ranch for a full day of workshops, demonstrations, and networking. The program will feature accomplished industry leaders speaking on a wide range of topics ranging from vermicompost and soil biology to consumer choices and market considerations.
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