Dave Chapman + Linley Dixon: Saving Organic Through Activist Science
Dave Chapman + Linley Dixon: Saving Organic Through Activist Science  
Podcast: Real Organic Podcast
Published On: Tue Nov 10 2026
Description: Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon take the stage at Churchtown Dairy to examine the science and systems behind the future of organic farming. Dave contrasts what he calls the “science of death” with a science that works through living systems, using biological control as an example of what becomes possible when agriculture learns from ecology rather than trying to overpower it. Linley brings that argument into the institutions that produce agricultural knowledge, asking what happens when public research disappears and private industry increasingly determines which questions get studied. Their talks ultimately become a call to defend organic not only in the field, but in science, policy, and public life. https://realorganicproject.org/saving-organic-through-activist-science The Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Brightstocking. The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations). To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.realorganicproject.org/directory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront. To read our weekly newsletter and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/⁠