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Let's Go Organic

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is a network assembled by the USDA’s National Organic Program to support transitioning and organic producers with mentorship and resources.

We are six regions working together nationwide towards a common goal:
to grow the network of organic producers.

With TOPP, producers transitioning to organic will find support through the transition and certification process. Mentorship, workshops, webinars, field days, technical assistance, and other educational events will offer opportunities to learn about organic production, the certification process, market opportunities, and more.

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Find your region below to learn more about mentorship, events, and resources.

Join Our Mentorship Program

The TOPP mentorship program builds connections between experienced organic producers and producers transitioning to organic, supports the transition process, and creates a stronger network of organic producers across the United States.

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Dan Paulsen (NRCS) and Roger, soy beans, Roger, Lansink Organic Farms, Odebolt, IA

For Mentees

Transitioning producers gain support, guidance, and development through mentorship.

As a transitioning producer you will receive free mentorship from an experienced organic producer. Mentors and transitioning producers will work together to set goals for the mentorship year and will form a strong network of organic producers across the region.

Apply Now
Eric, Nelson Organics, Pendleton, OR

For Mentors

Mentors play a crucial role in helping new organic producers succeed while growing the organic movement.

As a mentor, you will have the opportunity to guide and support producers who are transitioning to organic, providing them with valuable insights, practical advice, and industry best practices. Mentorship training, time, and travel are paid. All crop and livestock producers are welcome to apply!

Apply Now

Upcoming Events

Browse events in your region

Plains
September2210:00 am - 1:00 pm (MST)CSU Extension Office, Fort Morgan, COIn-person

Organic Transition Seminar

Join us for a FREE in-person seminar on the transition to organic process, what to expect from your annual inspection, and programs available to help fund your organic journey!

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
September22-249:00 am - 5:00 pm (EST)Unity, MaineIn-Person Event

2023 Common Ground Country Fair

Join MOFGA’s annual celebration of rural living featuring over 1000 exhibitors and speakers who promote vibrant communities, sustainable living, and local economies through organic agriculture.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
September2312:00 pm - 5:00 pm (EST)Essex County Fairgrounds: Westport, NY

Adirondack Harvest Festival

Plains
September239:00 am - 12:30 pm (CST)Filley, NEIn-person

Farm Tour

Riley Reinke grows diverse organic produce, raises laying hens, and tends to beehives on his family farm in Gage County Nebraska. Cottage Hill Farm is the manifestation of Reinke’s passion for small, regenerative farming, a passion he found while in engineering and Ag school. Join us on Riley’s farm outside Filley to walk his farm, hear his stories, learn from his experience and enjoy a special guest chef to finish up our tour. She’ll explain the Local Food System and is bringing along a healthy lunch for you!

Southeast
September259:30 am - 2:30 pm (EDT)Grateful Pastures Farm, 23574 State Highway 11 Mansfield, GA 30055Field Day

Organic Growers Farmer Field Day: Raising Profits & Organic Livestock

Georgia Organics is hosting an Organic Growers Farmer Field Day (OGFFD) at Grateful Pastures Farm in Mansfield, GA. Organic Growers Farmer Field Days are educational workshops specifically geared towards transitioning and Certified Organic farmers. The field day will include a farm tour and an educational session, where Patrick Dost, an Organic Inspection Manager from Quality Certification Services (QCS) will join Shaun Terry, owner of Grateful Pastures, to talk about Organic certification, Organic livestock production (covering poultry, ruminants, swine, and dairy), and building a profitable, Certified Organic business. Georgia Organics hopes that this Field Day will support transitioning and current Certified Organic growers looking to start or expand their livestock production and learn more about the Organic Certification process.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
September273:00 pm - 5:00 pm (EST)Johnny's Selected Seeds Research Farm

Seed Breeding and Plant Selection

Plains
September2711:30 am (CST)Online Virtual

Organic and Conventional Agriculture: Find Common Ground Promoting Soil Health

Differences abound between input use choices in organic and conventional farming, but all agree that we need to improve soil health. Join us for a webinar with Chuck Porter [NRCS, Unadilla, NE], David Meyer [Plant Breeder, Corteva, retired] and Chuck Francis [UNL Professor emeritus] on September 27th, 11:30 to 12:30 at this link, or view later on Grain Place Foundation website: https://grainplacefoundation.org.

Midwest
September278:00 am - 3:30 pm (EST)Wooster, OHField Day

Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day

The field day connects farmers, machinery manufacturers, and the allied trades for a single day event that draws farmers from all over the US and Canada – because it is THE place to see weeding tools. The morning features a trade-show where companies can connect one-on-one with farmers, and educational sessions, and the afternoon features field demonstrations in vegetable and row crops.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
September278:00 am - 3:30 pm (EST)1680 Madison Avenue Wooster, OH 44691 Field Day

Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day

The field day connects farmers, machinery manufacturers, and the allied trades for a single-day event that draws farmers from all over the US and Canada – because it is the place to see weeding tools. The morning features a trade show where companies can connect one-on-one with farmers, and educational sessions, and the afternoon features field demonstrations in vegetable and row crops.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
September289:00 am - 11:00 am (EST)Emmaus, PA

The Seed Farm – Field Walk

Plains
September2810:30 am - 11:30 am (MST)OnlineVirtual

‘Focus on the Farmer’ Webinar #2: WHERE’S THE MONEY?

The second webinar in this four-part educational series in partnership with USDA’s TOPP Plains Program will focus on the financial resources, funding opportunities, and grants/government programs that provide financial assistance to farmers transitioning to organic.

Led by world-renowned experts in organic agriculture: Brandon Welsh, Jayce Hafner and Tripp Wall. Moderated by Steven Hoffman and Mark Retzloff

Plains
September288:00 am - 5:00 pm (CST)Menoken, NDIn Person

Intro to Organic Ag Field Day

This is a free event. The field day will include field walks, sessions on organic agronomy, soil health and soil testing, strategic decision making focusing on business plans, record keeping, marketing, conservation planning and funding opportunities for organic, as well as an opportunity to have lunch with mentors.

 

Southeast
September289:00 am - 11:00 am (EST)220 Old Hwy 431 Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763 Workshop

Southeast Asian Crops in AL Teach-In and Northern Farmer Breakfast

Dr. Srinivasa Rao Mentreddy of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Alabama A&M University will speak on turmeric varieties for commercial production in AL and exotic plant cultivation with sustainable and organic growing techniques. Additionally, the Organic Guru, Guru Maya, will share his findings from growing Southeast Asian plant varieties in Northern AL. For breakfast, we’ll share food customary to South India as well as pancakes! Yum! Hosted by Alchemy Farms and Plants in Hampton Cove, AL.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
September28-29Reedsville, PAIn-Person Event

NODPA Field Days

This year’s theme is “Farming with Financial Clarity, Confidence and Optimism (without digging the hole deeper)”, aimed at providing organic dairy farmers with valuable insights and strategies to increase profits and make solid business decisions by focusing on the financial side of their farms.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
September294:30 pm - 8:30 pm (EST)Grafton, MAIn person networking event

Growing Organic Together: a networking event for BIPOC farmers

This event is a space for BIPOC farmers to explore connections with customers, markets and soil health. Together, we’ll look at the strengths, needs and opportunities within our farms, including discussions on the option of organic certification. We’ll develop an understanding around the intersections of our financial investments, love for farming and desire to serve our communities. Bring questions or interests about certification and whether it’s right for your farm.

This is a free event for Black, Indigenous and Person of Color (BIPOC) farmers only. Dinner, interpreting and childcare will be provided. Come early for a farm tour or join when you can for networking!

 

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
October011:00 pm - 6:00 pm (EST)Arrowood Farms: Accord, NY

Hudson Valley Farm Fest

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
October0111:00 am - 6:00 pm (EST)Accord, NYIn-Person Event

Hudson Valley Farm Fest

Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly day that includes a farm tour, farmers market, vendor marketplace, meetups, activities for the kids, food, drinks, live music, and more!

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
October054:00 pm - 6:00 pm (EST)Concord, NHIn-Person Event

Growing High-Quality Organic Tree Fruit

CRAFT is in its fifth season and we have an exciting plan of workshops for the year. Each program will be a great opportunity to learn from your peers, network with the community, and support farming in New Hampshire. This season we have also invited various organizations in the state to partner with us on specific workshops.

Southeast
October089:00 am - 2:00 pm (EST)105 Delong Rd. Nauvoo, AL 35578Workshop

On-Farm Hog Slaughtering and Butchering

Continuing our homestead slaughtering series from last year, we will be start-to-finish harvesting a hog with Holt Akers-Campbell and Katie Willis at Camp McDowell with lunch provided. In this workshop, you’ll learn butchering and processing techniques in addition to organic and sustainable livestock practices you can implement with the animals on your farm. This is a **limited-space** workshop. Ten farmers can be hands-on for the butchering portions of the workshop and then a small number of additional farmers on the waitlist will be invited to observe. Please only sign up if you can make it!

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
October0912:00 pm - 4:00 pm (EST)Grace Baptist Church: Waterbury, CT

North End Cooperative Market – Fall Harvest

Southeast
October1210:00 am - 1:00 pm (EST)338 McGruder Road Sawyerville, AL 36776Workshop

Hemp, Compost, and Organic Food Tasting Workshop

In collaboration with Tuskegee University, come out to Marie McGruder’s historic farm, McGruder Farms in Sawyerville, AL, to learn about how hemp production can work for you. McGruder Farms is a family-owned full-scale all-natural regenerative farm. The 
land has been in the McGruder family since 1877 and it had been passed down by the
ancestors and the indigenous people who are the original land stewards. In this workshop, you’ll learn the ins and outs of Hemp and how to make all that biomass work for your farm. We’ll discuss Organic practices and the Organic Certification process. We’ll wrap our day up with a special Organic Food Tasting in collaboration with the amazing Chef Yawah. Tuskegee University is an Equal Opportunity employer and provider.

Plains
October135:00 pm - 7:00 pm (CST)Raymond, NEIn-person

Grower Gathering

Join us outside Raymond, Nebraska (20 minutes from Lincoln) to visit Common Good Farm. You can self-tour the farm &/or join together on the patio to chat, you are welcome to bring friends and enjoy the ambiance of Common Good Farm and its farmers…we look forward to coffee and tea on their farmhouse patio to visit about this diversified certified organic farm.

Plains
October16-17Paola, KSIn-person

2023 Healing the Farmer Workshop & Leadership Program

Join your peers and colleagues in 2023 for a FREE workshop to support organic and regenerative growers. Register for this innovative leadership program that will help farmers and ranchers be better managers, leaders, marketers, and changemakers. This program is in partnership with the Fuller Field School, leading a one-day workshop focused on farmer resilience and mental health.

Southeast
October189:00 am - 3:00 pm (EDT)Gainey Hall, SerenbeIn-Person Event

Transition to Organic Symposium

Join the Rodale Southeast Organic Center for a transformative day at the Transition to Organic Symposium on October 18th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the heart of Georgia at Serenbe. This exciting event will delve into the world of organic farming and provide valuable information for anyone wanting to make the transition.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
October185:00 pm - 7:00 pm (EST)Kerhonkson, NYIn-Person Event

CRAFT – Next Steps

MH CRAFT tours are open to farmers of all ages and skill levels and are free to attend. All organizers, hosts, and attendees are expected to abide by our community agreements.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
October185:00 pm - 7:00 pm (EST)Virtual Workshop

Starting Your Farm: Planning your first year in Production

The Starting Your Farm workshop is a three-part Zoom series. Designed for participants who have attended sessions one and two of the workshop series, this workshop will cover how to create a production plan for your first year. We will be joined by MOFGA’s Production Specialist, Mariam Taleb. This interactive workshop will guide you through the process of developing your first production plan and offer chances to connect with other beginning farmers in similar enterprises as you.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
October2110:00 am - 12:00 pm (EST)UNH Organic Dairy Research Farm: Lee, NH

Sustainable Farming through Preventative Techniques

Plains
October2510:00 am - 11:00 am (CST)OnlineVirtual

Live Webinar – “Transitioning to Organic: Tips from 25 Years of Research”

Join Grain Place Foundation Board Member Kathleen Delate, Professor of Organic Farming at Iowa State University as she discusses 25 years of research on organic systems.

Plains
November01-02Aurora, NEIn-person

2023 Think Regeneration Leadership Program

Join your peers and colleagues in 2023 for a FREE workshop to support organic and regenerative growers. Register for this innovative leadership program that will help farmers and ranchers be better managers, leaders, marketers, and changemakers. Limited to 15 per program.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
November035:00 pm - 8:00 pm (EST)Northwoods Brewing Company: Northwood, NH

Beginning Farmer Mixer & Launch Party

Plains
November0410:00 am - 12:30 pm (CST)Lincoln, NE

Grower Gathering

Join us for a morning of conversation, coffee and muffins.

Plains
November07-08Bixby, OKIn-person

2023 Think Regeneration Leadership Program

Join your peers and colleagues in 2023 for a FREE workshop to support organic and regenerative growers. Register for this innovative leadership program that will help farmers and ranchers be better managers, leaders, marketers, and changemakers. Limited to 15 per program.

Plains
November088:30 am - 3:30 pm (CST)Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center, Ithaca, NEIn-person

Transition to organic farming workshop

Are you thinking about transitioning to organic farming or are you a newly certified organic farmer? Please mark your calendar for this one-day conference hosted by UNL Extension. Come, learn, and mingle with other growers, vendors, and educators. This event is free and includes a free lunch. All are welcome to attend. Registration link coming soon.

Southeast
November138:00 am - 4:00 pm (EST)NC A&T University Farm Pavilion, Greensboro, NCWorkshop

Sustainable Agriculture Conference, Full Day Workshop: ‘Demystifying Organic Certification’

Are you considering USDA Organic Certification but need more clarification about the requirements and process? Becoming a Certified Organic farm is a significant commitment, but it can have tremendous advantages, from increased market competitiveness, improved recordkeeping, and additional access to funding and technical assistance. This full-day workshop brings together industry leaders from certifiers, Extension, farmers, and CFSA staff to walk participants through the process, dispel myths, and answer questions about the USDA National Organic Program. The workshop provides an overview of the regulations and the certification process, including completing an organic system plan, recordkeeping requirements, land management practices, post-harvest handling and storage protocol, and what to expect during an inspection. Presenters also share resources that will help farmers successfully navigate the certification process.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic
November17Cannan Valley, WVIn-Person Event

Women in Ag Conference

The annual West Virginia Women in Agriculture Conference provides research-based and practical educational opportunities for agribusiness women while fostering networking and leadership development. Workshops focus on the five areas of risk management and production enterprises. Farm tours highlight successful operations and provide opportunities for participants to learn from others’ experiences. The conference rotates annually to demonstrate the diversity of agricultural enterprises throughout West Virginia.

Midwest
November26-278:00 am - 5:00 pm (CST)Iowa City, IAConference

Iowa Organic Conference

The Iowa Organic Conference is the largest university-sponsored organic conference in the country, with over 30 exhibitors. Workshops range from new markets for organic crops to soil health Initiatives and alternative crops.

Plains
December01-02Bismarck, NDIn-person

2023 Think Regeneration Leadership Program

Join your peers and colleagues in 2023 for a FREE workshop to support organic and regenerative growers. Register for this innovative leadership program that will help farmers and ranchers be better managers, leaders, marketers, and changemakers. Limited to 15 per program.

Plains
December0610:00 am (CST)Nebraska Ag Expo, Lancaster Event Center, Lincoln, NebraskaIn-person/Virtual

OCIA Nebraska Chapter Meeting

Join OCIA Nebraska’s annual chapter meeting for a series of 20-minute presentations with opportunities for Q&A on organic statistics, marketing, fertilizers, NRCS and UNL resources, and an organic farmer panel discussion.

Plains
December12-13Greeley, COIn-person

2023 Think Regeneration Leadership Program

Join your peers and colleagues in 2023 for a FREE workshop to support organic and regenerative growers. Register for this innovative leadership program that will help farmers and ranchers be better managers, leaders, marketers, and changemakers. Limited to 15 per program.

Midwest
January04-058:00 am - 6:00 pm (EST)Oregon, OHConference

Organic Grain Conference

A two day conference and networking opportunity focused on organic and transitioning grain growers.

Midwest
January25-279:00 am - 5:00 pm (EST)Frankfort, KYConference

Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) Organic Farming Conference

OAK’s 13th Annual Organic Farming Conference will convene 450+ attendees to participate in half-day pre-conference workshops, educational sessions, panels, hands-on demonstrations and farm tours covering topics from organic transition to agroforestry and organic no-till to high tunnel management. Join farmers and local food system professionals, connect with inspiring speakers, hear updates on current organic research, and meet peer farmers and regional input suppliers.

Midwest
February02-038:00 am - 5:00 pm (CST)Madison, WIConference

OGRAIN Winter Conference 2024

The Annual OGRAIN Conference is an opportunity for organic grain growers to learn from other organic grain growers, hear about the latest research, and connect with other organic, transitioning-to-organic, or inquisitive-about-organic grain growers and end-users.

Midwest
February15-168:00 am - 6:00 pm (EST)Newark, OHConference

SOE Informational Workshop

A workshop for organic and transitioning producers who want to know more about the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule.

Midwest
February1510:00 am - 4:30 pm (EST)Newark, OHIn-Person Pre Conference Workshop

OSP Help Shop

In this pre-conference workshop, certification specialists and sustainable ag educators will help you work through your Organic Systems Plan in preparation for submission.

Midwest
February16-178:00 am - 6:00 pm (EST)Newark, OHConference

IPM for Transitioning Veggie Producers

A conference workshop focusing on Integrated Pest Management for transitioning veggie producers

Midwest
February22-249:00 am - 7:00 pm (CST)La Crosse, WIConference

Marbleseed’s 35th Organic Farming Conference

The Marbleseed (formerly MOSES) Organic Farming Conference is widely known as the largest organic farming conference in the United States. Every year regenerative and organic farmers from a wide range of farm sizes, experiences, and backgrounds gather to learn the latest in organic farming methods, build community, and shape the future of the organic farming movement.

Whether you’re certified organic, using organic practices on your regenerative farm, or considering the switch to organic, you’ll find the people, partners, and skill-building opportunities to help your farm business thrive. This year’s theme is Roots and Rhizomes: Growing Together. Early Bird Registration will open December 5.

News

Midwest TOPP Newsletter September 2023

September 20, 2023
Download

GROWING ORGANIC COMMUNITY

September 20, 2023
Download

INCLUDING NRCS IN YOUR TOPP PROJECTS

September 20, 2023
Download

Meet TOPP

September 20, 2023
Download

Transitioning to Organic Highlighted at Iowa Summer Field Days

September 20, 2023
Download
usda-meeting-topp2

USDA Seeks Input on Organic Initiative and Market Development Grants

August 08, 2023
Read More
ams-organic-focused-education-blog-062923

Organic-Focused Education Paves the Way to Technical Skills

June 29, 2023
Read More
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USDA to Invest up to $300 million in New Organic Transition Initiative

August 22, 2022
Read More
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