TOPP Success in the Plains, Northwest, and Northeast

Photo: Kansas farmer Jack Geiger (center right) is a certified organic mentor for the TOPP Mentorship Program.

Plains Farmers Embark on Organic Journey with TOPP Mentorship

The Plains Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) mentorship initiative has received a lot of positive attention from existing and beginning organic farmers. The program, under the leadership of Organic Crop Improvement Association International (OCIA) and in partnership with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, is dedicated to helping farmers transition to organic agriculture by pairing them with experienced, certified organic mentors. It also bridges knowledge gaps with practical, hands-on guidance and nurtures a supportive community among farmers interested in adopting organic practices.

Jack Geiger of Geiger Farm in Robinson, Kansas, a seasoned organic farmer and a mentor in the program, shared his excitement, “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to pay back all the assistance that was given to me over the years. This program isn’t just about farming organically; it’s about forming lasting connections and expanding networks. Addressing the social isolation farmers in rural areas face is critical to advancing organic agriculture.” His words perfectly capture the essence of the TOPP initiative: fostering a network of support and collaboration among farmers committed to organic agriculture.

Photo: Erica Thompson in the fields of her family farm, Blueberry Meadows, in Corvallis, OR.

Mentorship and Technical Assistance Create the Recipe for Transition Success  

Throughout the Northwest, mentorship and technical assistance are creating a recipe for success as producers navigate the path to organic certification using Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) services. Oregon Tilth, TOPP’s Northwest Regional Lead, coordinates the mentorship program for the region and provides one-on-one technical assistance to producers transitioning to organic.

After her parents retired, Erica Thompson assumed management of her family’s small-scale blueberry farm, Blueberry Meadows, in Corvallis, OR. In her first year of transitioning to organic, Erica has been paired with certified organic mentor, Bob Wilt of Wilt Farms, also in Corvallis. Bob has run a certified organic blueberry operation for years, and, through mentorship, is helping Erica devise a soil and nutrient management plan to kickstart her organic management plan.

As Erica learns from her mentor, she also regularly attends one-on-one technical assistance sessions offered by Oregon Tilth and TOPP partners to ensure she complies with the organic regulations, understands how the regulations apply to her farm, and gains insight into the certification process. Erica has shared that it is comforting to know that there are resources available to answer her questions and keep her on the path to a successful transition.

Erica’s story is just one example of how TOPP is providing the support to successfully transition to organic. These stories are now coming to life across the Northwest, with more producers on their way to being certified organic.

Photo: Attendees gather for an organic tree fruit workshop at Off the Wall Orchard in Concord, NH.

TOPP Actively Growing Organic Production in the Granite State

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) initiative is helping the New Hampshire organic community firmly establish organic food production and handling through the food chain, from their farms to the consumer. Since the fall of 2023, 20 Granite State farmers interested in transitioning to organic have applied to be paired with an experienced organic mentor as part of the TOPP mentorship program, and three food hubs will be certified in 2024.

Many plans, conversations and new connections between mentors and mentees are being made. One New Hampshire mentor recently shared, “My mentee and I met on his farm in January. He and I have many mutual friends and live in the same food shed. What particularly excites me about our relationship is the creation of his new farm in our local economy. He is planning to focus on root vegetable production for storage, something that our local food system deeply needs. I am truly enthused to help him do this while following NOP standards. It is inspiring to see the next generation understand the value of following organic production methods to supply healthy, nutritious food to our community. As neighboring farmers, a sense of collaboration is emerging, and that gives me great hope. Being a farmer is hard, and we are definitely stronger and more resilient together.”

Another mentor reported, “I went to my mentee’s farm, and he gave me a tour of his operation. When we talk on the phone, we discuss winter planning topics: seeds, paperwork, crop plans, and marketing. The weekly phone calls have been a great way to stay in touch and keep talking about the many different steps that are happening on his farm and how he plans to put his vision into effect. It is encouraging to see his commitment to the farm. We share ideas, and I learn from him as well.”

Mid-Atlantic/Northeast regional lead Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) and core partner, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire, are excited by this progress and look forward to deepening community connections and increasing organic farms and acreage in 2024.  

About the Transition to Organic Partnership Program 

The USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is investing up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with non-profit organizations who are partnering with others to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. USDA is building partnership networks in six regions across the United States with trusted organizations serving direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities. 

For more information on upcoming TOPP events, mentorship opportunities, and farmer resources in your region, visit OrganicTransition.org. Visit USDA's TOPP Success Stories page to read about the exciting work being done in communities throughout the United States.