Three (More!) TOPP Farms Now Newly Certified Organic

Last summer, we were proud to announce the organic certification of farm graduates from our Transition to Organic Partnership Program. This year, we’re equally pleased to report the organic certification of three more farms, all members of our 2025 TOPP cohort: Steadfast Farms, Farmington Valley Fungi, and Autumn Harvest Orchard.

Steadfast Farms

Steadfast Farms (Bethlehem) is a certified organic poultry processing facility – the only in Connecticut – owned by Marine Corp veteran Jared McCool and his brother Aaron McCool. They offer poultry processing services for farmers (including a discounted rate for NOFA members) and raise a selection of game birds that are available for purchase.

At Steadfast Farms, we proudly blend tradition, innovation, and regenerative practices to raise premium poultry and specialty birds that nourish families and enrich communities. As a veteran owned farm, we’re honored to offer ethically raised, USDA inspected products that meet the highest standards for quality, humane care, and flavor.

CT NOFA Program Director Sherlene Rodriguez and NOFA Organic Certification Consultant Laura Davis provided technical assistance for Steadfast Farms’ certification.

Farmington Valley Fungi

Farmington Valley Fungi (Simsbury) grows all varieties of oyster mushrooms (blue, golden, pink, snow, Italian), as well as lion’s mane, chestnut, and king trumpet, with additional species planned for the future. Organic agriculture embodies principles that are important to owner Ben Hefferon, both as a consumer and producer.

Having Farmington Valley Fungi be certified organic is an important commitment to values of health – the health of my family, my community, and the environment at large. Traditional economic pressures, left unchecked, lead to a degradation of the food we put in our bodies and as a result, our health and the environment. We see no place for additives, chemicals, or hormones in our own food, and would not sell anything to the public otherwise. Fresh, local, and organic are the principles we live by, and aim to deliver with integrity to our community.

Adam Buggy, former Farm Manager for Northwest Corner Farm, provided mentorship for Farmington Valley Fungi’s certification process.

Autumn Harvest Orchard

Autumn Harvest Orchard (Norfolk) is a certified organic orchard, vegetable farm, and apiary. They grow over 400 varieties of apples, pears, chestnut, and nectarine trees, along with blueberries. Owned by veteran Joanne Charon, Autumn Harvest Orchard offers a CSA program that runs from June to August.

We grow all our produce organically and adhere to the Real Organic [Project] practices for growing fruits, berries, nuts, and vegetables in soil. Having an apiary in the orchard, you need to be careful not to spray the fruit trees when the honeybees are active during the day. Even OMRI [Organic Materials Review Institute] organic sprays can harm your honeybees and bumble bees.

CT NOFA Program Director Sherlene Rodriguez and NOFA Organic Certification Consultant Laura Davis provided technical assistance for Autumn Harvest Orchard’s certification.

CT NOFA is proud to have been a partner to the certification process for these newest graduates of TOPP, and we extend our enthusiastic congratulations to all of them for this accomplishment! We’re looking forward to sharing more detailed information about each of these newly certified organic farms in the near future.

If you’re a farmer who would like to learn more about transitioning your operation to certified organic, or if you’re a currently certified organic farmer who would like to support Connecticut farms in their goal of achieving organic status, we invite you to learn more about the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) on our website and apply to become a participant.