TOPP (Transition to Organic Partnership Program)
TOPP IS A NETWORK OF ORGANIZATIONS PARTNERING TO SUPPORT TRANSITIONING AND EXISTING ORGANIC FARMERS
What is TOPP?
The Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership for Organic Transition is a coalition of organizations providing technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. This Regional Partnership serves producers in Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.
The Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership for Organic Transition 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).
who benefits from topp?
The Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership for Organic Transition:
- Connects transitioning farmers with farmer mentors
- Hosts community building opportunities, including workshops and field days
- Creates technical assistance resources
- Supports the organic workforce through training and education
- Helps producers overcome technical, cultural, and financial shifts during and after organic certification
- Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organic sector
how to take part
CT NOFA is proud to be a Core Partner in the Northeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program. This community agreement is sponsored by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and will continue through October of 2027.
CT NOFA is currently recruiting:
- Mentor farmers who have operated certified organic farms for at least three years that are interested in assisting mentee farmers as they transition their farms for certification.
- Farmers looking to transition to organic: if you are operating a farm and would like the assistance of an experienced organic farmer during your transition to organic we welcome you to join our group of mentee farmers.
- Partner organizations which wish to help grow the program
- Technical experts who are interested in helping provide guidance on specific topics, skills, or areas of interest to farmers who are transitioning to organic methods
CT NOFA will be connecting paid mentors to mentees for one year. The mentorship program is expected to commence in the 4th quarter of 2023. CT NOFA staff will assist with helping mentee farmers to navigate the organic certification process.
We welcome partner non-profit or public organizations to work with CT NOFA to provide community building opportunities, technical assistance, train-the-mentor support, and workshop and field day activities covering topics including organic production practices, certification, conservation planning, business development, regulations, and marketing.
Please indicate your interest in participation on this form. We look forward to working with you.
