Cover photo for Transition to Organic Partnership Program

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)

Agricultural Marketing Service


The 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. AMS is building partnership networks in six regions across the United States with trusted organizations serving direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities.

The partner organizations will:

  • Connect transitioning farmers with mentors for at least one year after certification.

  • Build paid mentoring networks to share practical insights and advice.

  • Provide community building opportunities to include:

    • Train-the-mentor support

    • Technical assistance

    • Workshops and field days covering topics including organic production practices, certification, conservation planning, business development (including navigating the supply chain), regulations, and marketing

  • Help producers overcome technical, cultural, and financial shifts during and following certification.

  • Engage educational and training institutions (including crop advisors and extension agents) on organic workforce training and education and future human capital planning. 

Over time, technical assistance resources will be made available to all candidate and existing organic farmers through the USDA website.

TOPP is a collaborative effort involving many partners working together towards a common goal. The TOPP partnership network covers six regions: the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Plains, Northwest, and West/Southwest. Organizations in these regions are actively forming partnerships to serve transitioning and existing organic farmers. TOPP regions are set geographically and form a mix of states that are well-represented in organic and states that are currently underserved. Additional partners will be added as the initiative unfolds, as it will take more time to identify partners that have been traditionally under-represented in organic.


Application Instructions

Are you interested in becoming involved in the TOPP network? Let us know using one of the following forms:



Resources




Updated July 18, 2024

Image Credit: AMS

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