CT NOFA > Programs > TOPP (Transition to Organic Partnership Program)

TOPP (Transition to Organic Partnership Program)

What is TOPP?

CT NOFA is proud to be a Core Partner in the Northeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), a mentorship program that pairs experienced organic producers with producers who are transitioning to organic. This community agreement is sponsored by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and will continue through the fall of 2026.

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Concludes

September 30, 2026

After more than three years of programming, the USDA-funded Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is concluding. This nationwide program worked to lower barriers to organic certification for farms and farmers, and CT NOFA - along with other NOFA chapters - was a lead partner in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region.

USDA funding for this program concluded in September of 2026. CT NOFA and partner organizations in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region are actively seeking new sources of funding to continue successful aspects of the program, including the mentorship program. Learn more about the program's achievements, here.

If you are an experienced certified organic farmer who would consider acting as a paid mentor, or a farmer interested in no-cost guidance through the USDA Organic Certification process, please contact us to be added to our outreach list, which we will utilize in the event that funding becomes available to continue aspects of the program.

In the meantime, CT NOFA still offers organic certification consulting to our members. Additionally, all the technical assistance resources developed through TOPP remain available to the public. Click any of the buttons, below, to access these services.

organic certification consulting

technical assistance resources

CONTACT CT NOFA

Organic Transitions

Learn more about farms and farmers who have transitioned to Certified Organic through TOPP.

Organic Transitions: Dakota Rudloff-Eastman & Matthew Went | River Ridge Farm and Market

March 30, 2026

As a core partner in the ongoing Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), CT NOFA has provided support to Connecticut farms that are pursuing organic certification. One of the farms that has achieved organic certification with support from the program is River Ridge Farm (Portland, CT), one of the first farms to become a program participant.

Organic Transitions: Tyler Hoadley & Haley Newell | Hoadley Hills Farm

March 19, 2026

As a core partner in the ongoing Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), CT NOFA has provided support to Connecticut farms that are pursuing organic certification. One of the farms that has achieved organic certification with support from the program is Hoadley Hills Farm, the first organically certified livestock farm in Connecticut.

Organic Transitions: Joanne Charon | Autumn Harvest Orchard

January 23, 2026

Joanne Charon, owner of Autumn Harvest Orchard, is proud to be able to provide organic produce for her community. “It gives people a choice to purchase and enjoy fresh CT Grown Organic produce, which is totally different than what’s in the big box store,” she says. “Fresh, organic produce is higher in vitamin and mineral properties, and we are committed to growing all fruits, berries, herbs, nuts, and vegetables in healthy soil using ORMI fertilizers and pest control measures.”

HOADLEY HILLS FARM

This video interviews Tyler Hoadley and Haley Newell, owners and operators of Hoadley Hills Farm in South Kent, Connecticut. Hoadley Hills Farm is the first organically certified livestock farm in Connecticut. Tyler and Haley discuss how they found out about TOPP, what motivated them to get certified, and how they feel about producing an organic product for customers. The narration and interview is led by Sherlene Rodriguez, Program Director of TOPP at CT NOFA.

This video was produced by UConn Extension in partnership with CT NOFA and filmed by Defining Studios.

RIVER RIDGE FARM

This video interviews Dakota Rudloff-Eastman and Matthew Went, owners and operators of River Ridge Farm in Portland, Connecticut. River Ridge Farm is the one of the first farms in Connecticut to participate in TOPP. Dakota and Matt discuss how they heard about TOPP, how the transition process was less challenging than they expected, how their mentor helped, and how being organically certified has helped them make wholesale farming profitable. The video also features Sherlene Rodriguez, Program Director of TOPP at CT NOFA and Jeremy Pelletier, Executive Director of CT NOFA.

This video was produced by UConn Extension in partnership with CT NOFA and filmed by Defining Studios.

testimonials

I wanted to thank [CT NOFA] again for your help and support. I have officially submitted our application to become CT's only Certified Organic Poultry Slaughter and Processing facility. Thank you again for all you do and I'm excited for the future.

Aaron McCool

Steadfast Poultry Processing and Farm

It feels great to be able to help a fellow farmer out with starting their farm. There are so many little questions that come up along the way and I think it's been helpful for my mentee to get second opinions and other advice. It was really helpful for me to visit her farm to really understand the lay of the land and get the full picture.

Yoko Takemura

Assawaga Farm

Being able to help [my mentee] see the application process as approachable and less intimidating was very satisfying, because my wife and I understood how intimating the process can seem when taking over managing Star Light Gardens. Accepting my own ability to be a mentor as well as committing myself to something besides the farm operation were equally challenging but also rewarding to overcome and realize I had the time and ability.

Joel Smith

Star Light Gardens

TOPP mentorship is going great. I think [CT NOFA] made the right match with me and Adam [Mentor], which I am very thankful for.

Ben Hefferon

Farmington Valley Fungi

I love to be able to share with a new grower and help them expand.

Jacelyn Slattery

The Hickories of Ridgefield

The best part is sharing my farm experience and knowledge as well as my experience as an organic inspector/reviewer.

Frederick Schafer

Program news

Steadfast Farms Announces Pending Organic Certification

March 13, 2025

Steadfast Farms, in Bethlehem, Connecticut, proudly announces that its processing and slaughter facility is pending USDA Organic Certification for Poultry Processing. As a participant in the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), Steadfast Farms has worked closely with CT NOFA for the past six months to ensure full compliance with organic processing standards.

TOPP Mentorship Program Seeks Applicants for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Cohorts

August 20, 2024

After successful pairings of experienced organic growers with transitioning-to-organic growers in over the last two years, CT NOFA seeks additional applicants for fall 2024 and spring 2025 cohorts of mentor/mentee…

Connecticut Farms Newly Certified Organic

July 19, 2024

CT NOFA is excited to welcome two Connecticut farms to the certified organic community. These farms – Northwest Corner Farm (Winchester), and Sweet Ring Farm (Newtown) – are also all participants in CT NOFA programs.

TOPP Climate Smart Field Days

March 7, 2024

CT NOFA is excited to announce a series of 2024 field days as part of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), a national program that helps farmers navigate challenges…

TOPP Mentorship Program Applications Open

January 26, 2024

After successful pairings of experienced organic growers with transitioning-to-organic growers in 2023, CT NOFA seeks additional applicants for future cohorts of mentor/mentee pairings. The Northeast/ Mid-Atlantic Transition to Organic Partnership…

The Venture Farming Institute Announces Free Agricultural Training for Aspiring BIPOC Farmers

January 24, 2024

The Venture Farming Institute (VFI) is an intensive training experience designed for new and beginning farmers of color in CT and RI. This training will feature trainers of color while…

TOPP Farmer Roundtable Videos Available

January 16, 2024

In 2023, CT NOFA co-hosted three roundtables as part of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) to provide knowledge and expertise to farmers who are seeking to transition to…

Soil Health Microscopy Courses for Spring 2024

January 9, 2024

Spring microscopy course offerings are now full! Click here for information about upcoming summer and fall courses. CT NOFA is offering microscopy training this spring! Participants will view various soils…

Sign Up Open for Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)

September 18, 2023

As part of USDA’s broader effort to support organic producers and in response to stakeholder feedback, this year the Farm Service Agency increased the cost share amount under the Organic Certification…

CT NOFA Seeks Mentors and Mentees for TOPP

May 8, 2023

As part of the next phase of TOPP (Transition to Organic Partnership Program), CT NOFA is actively seeking potential mentors and mentees for the program. What is TOPP? TOPP is…