Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Concludes

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.

Utilizing a robust mentorship program, an array of technical assistance resources, and partner organizations throughout the state, CT NOFA was able to help numerous small farms complete transitions to USDA Certified Organic status, helping to stem the loss of organic farms in Connecticut. Videos and articles on our website tell the stories of many of these farms.

CT NOFA was proud to be a part of this impactful program, and we invite you to click here to read the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Program Summary Report and learn more about its accomplishments. Among the program’s regional successes are some impressive achievements:

• 4,700+ acres of farmland newly certified organic
• 140 newly organic certified farm and farm business operations
• 750+ educational events held
• 1,450+ technical assistance interactions conducted

Although this program concludes in September 2026, the technical assistance resources that were created, as well as the network of professional relationships that emerged, will continue long after to support future farmers’ endeavors to become certified organic. CT NOFA is also actively working with the other NOFA chapters in the northeast to find ways to fund continued growth of some of the most successful aspects of the program, including the mentorship program, which served as an effective vehicle for knowledge by bringing experienced organic farmers into partnerships with prospective organic farmers, often bridging the generational gap that exists between our older and newer farmers.

If you’d like to support CT NOFA’s work to expand and support organic agriculture and landcare in Connecticut, we encourage you to become a CT NOFA member or make a donation to help fund our work. You can also join our mailing list to receive our monthly Gleanings email newsletter and stay informed about our future programs, educational events, and more.