Let’s Grow American Agriculture
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.
Two Years of Progress: How TOPP is Growing Organic from the Ground Up
Since its launch in 2022, the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) has been strengthening organic farming communities. This report highlights the first two years of TOPP, showcasing real stories, key partnerships, and insights on how the program supports producers transitioning to organic, boosts local economies, and expands market opportunities.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Upcoming Events
Arrowleaf Consulting
TBD, ID
Listening sessions will be held to collect additional data for the needs assessment to complement and expand what we learned through the survey related to Idaho farmers’ current organic agriculture interests and support needs.
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
11:00 am - 12:00 pm (PT) | Online
Got Organic Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
Join the CCOF Foundation online every Tuesday for a casual, interactive Q&A session all about organic. Whether you’re curious about organic certification, production, compliance, or need help with record keeping and paperwork, this space is for you!
Jamie Collins – organic farmer, inspector, and expert from Serendipity Farms – hosts these weekly sessions bringing, a hands-on producer perspective combined with deep regulatory know-how.
When & Where
🗓️Every Tuesday
🕐11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Pacific)
💻Via Zoom
All questions and experience levels welcome!
Learn more and join at https://ccof.org/events/
Contact organictransitionprogram@gmail.com for more info.
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (ET) | Online
Do you grow and sell pulses, such as beans, peas, lentils, peanuts and others? Looking to find new business partners to buy U.S. grown ingredients?
Join the Organic Trade Association and our partners for our Virtual Buyer-Seller Mixer on March 24, 2026 as a part of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
What is a Virtual Buyer-Seller Mixer: An online event for organic buyers and sellers – think online speed dating to support expansion of the U.S. organic supply chain! Participants’ schedules will be created to connect sellers and buyers based on registration information and scheduling availability. For this buyer-seller mixer, we’re focused on organic and transitional pulses.
What do we mean by PULSES? We’re targeting businesses buying or selling pulses like beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, and other edible seeds from legumes.
Who Can Register: Any business (buyers) sourcing U.S.-grown pulses, and any farmer/producer of U.S.-grown organic or transitional pulses (sellers).
Why: Support the domestic supply chain by sourcing pulses from domestic producers to meet your business needs in 2026 and beyond!
How: Register here. Our team of experts will craft a custom schedule for each registrant. Complete schedules will be shared with registrants by March 20, 2026.
Register by March 10. Space is limited – sign up today!
REGISTER NOW: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PC3FTD3
This mixer is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).
National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time (EST)) | Online
Join SE Partner, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and Leah Philips of ECHO Global for an in-depth training on making your own biofertilizers to reduce reliance on purchased inputs and shrink the carbon footprint of your fertility program.
Walking through several low-tech, farm-friendly fermentation methods and “biological brews,” explain what each one is best used for, and share simple recipes, materials lists, timelines, and storage tips. You will learn how to choose feedstocks from what you already have on hand, match biofertilizers to crop stage and soil needs, and apply them safely and effectively.
Also, will cover common mistakes, troubleshooting, and practical considerations for growers aiming to align with organic systems. Bring your questions! We will leave plenty of time for Q&A.
Learn more and register at the link below.
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm (PST) | Online
For producers new to organic certification, the recordkeeping requirements can feel a bit daunting. This New Roots Roundtable webinar will cover what you need to know to successfully keep organic-compliant records for your operation! Open to both crops and livestock producers, we’ll cover why records are necessary, which records to keep, and some helpful existing resources and templates.
What’s in store:
- A 20-minute overview of organic recordkeeping requirements
- An intro to existing recordkeeping resources
- Open Q&A and discussion
- A chance to network with other farmers on the organic path!
News
FY24 In-Person TOPP Events Heatmap
View TOPP’s 2024 in-person event locations and the educational programs that supported organic and transitioning farmers nationwide.
This Story Map was created by:
Find Out More
Impact Report: Two Years of Progress
A story of collective action, meaningful partnerships, and measurable change.
