Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) — Western/Southwest Region

CCOF FOUNDATION Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is a nationwide initiative to provide mentorship, technical assistance, and wrap-around support to transitioning and existing organic producers. USDA TOPP Page West-Southwest Region Our Work Through TOPP Through TOPP, the CCOF Foundation leads the Western & Southwestern Regional Center for Organic Transition working with a coalition of partners to support producers in Texas. Read a TOPP success story: Meet Caleb Duty Meet Matthew Grieshop Meet Christie Heartquist Meet Clifford Johnson Meet Roberto le Fort Meet Michael O’Gorman Meet Bob Whitney Meet Christian Zuckerman Western Regional Center for Organic Transition Offerings Mentorship Technical Assistance Organic Workforce Development Community Building Mentorship Mentorship Producers seeking organic certification are connected with experienced mentor producers for support and guidance through the transition to organic. Mentorship is available in Utah. Qualified mentors have at least three years of experience with organic production and certification, are able to provide 45 hours of mentorship per year, have a strong understanding of the organic rules and regulations, understand the challenges and benefits of organic production and certification, and are interested in sharing knowledge and giving back to the organic community. Read the full requirements of a qualified mentor. Partners providing mentorship include: Arizona State University Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems Hawaii Farmers Union United Rodale Institute Red Acre Center Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Utah State University Learn more about mentorship and how to apply: www.organictransition.org Technical Assistance Organic transition thrives when there is a robust landscape of organic technical assistance. TOPP invests in skill development for existing service providers and increases the supply and quality of technical assistance available to producers. Assistance comes in many forms: improved resources, one-on-one events, and more. Partners providing Technical Assistance include: Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS) Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) UCANR & UC Organic Ag Institute Agriculture and Land Based Training Association (ALBA) University of Hawaii & College of Tropical Agriculture Hawaii Farmers Union United University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Utah State University Red Acre Center Rodale Institute Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Farmshare Austin Arizona State University Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems Dry Coop and Oatman Farms Organic Workforce Development Organic agriculture is the foundation of an interconnected organic industry and everyone along the organic supply chain has a critical role to play in the growth of organic. TOPP invests in the organic workforce to ensure that every link of the chain thrives, from entrepreneurs to technical service providers, food scientists to wholesale packing houses, and school food services to academic programs. Partners implementing organic workforce development include: Agriculture and Land Based Training Association (ALBA) California Polytechnic University (CalPoly) Berkeley Food Institute (BFI) MA’O Organic Farms University of Reno Desert Farming Initiative University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Community Building Peer-to-peer learning, field demonstrations, and informal social networks create on-the-ground support for organic transition. TOPP strengthens existing networks and invests in regions lacking robust community networks and events. Partners working to build community include: Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)

Producers transitioning to or maintaining USDA organic certification in the Western/Southwest region (AZ, , TX). Provides free mentorship (up to ~45 hours/year), technical assistance through partner organizations, and organic workforce training. This is a support program — no cash award.

Connect with a mentor or partner organization through CCOF. Contact [email protected] or visit