Peer-to-peer professional development has always been a core tenant of farming and the organic movement. If you're a long-time organic producer with experience to share or you're just starting to consider implementing organic practices and may want to pursue certification, we can connect you with a mentor/ee! This program is made possible by USDA's Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Regional Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
If you are looking to incorporate more organic practices, explore organic certification, and/or transition your production with an end goal of becoming certified, sign up to be paired with a mentor! An experienced organic producer can offer guidance and serve as a resource during your transition to organic. The yearlong program is open to any type of producer--veg, berry, other crops (hay, grain), flowers, maple, livestock, dairy, processors, handlers, etc. Mentees receive mentorship at no cost, plus a stipend is available to help cover the costs of attending an educational event.
Learn more about organic certification, "meet" some certification specialists in our office and inspectors out in the field, learn about the three parts of the inspection, and see some recordkeeping examples from three producers in this webinar.
“The mentorship program was absolutely vital to our success with our certification. My mentor was consistent, proactive, kind, supportive, and positive and he seriously helped to calm my anxiety about the inspection!” -2024 mentee
Organic Mentors
Are you an experienced certified organic producer? You can be an invaluable resource for folks considering transitioning to organic production!
Your are eligible to be a mentor if you have operated a certified organic operation for at least three years and are interested in supporting transitioning producers as they adopt organic practices.
“The best part is using the knowledge I’ve gained over 19 seasons of making mistakes - to make a new farmer’s experience a little better.”
“I think the program is much needed and an excellent asset for new and transitioning organic farmers.”
-2024 mentors
Responsibilities
(to be completed in person or virtually)
Mentor at least one producer transitioning to organic for one year, with an option to renew mentorship annually as appropriate
Complete 5 hours of mentor training annually
Provide 40 hours of mentorship each year (optional additional hours with additional mentees), including:
Complete onboarding with mentee and mentorship coordinator
Host mentee at least once on your own operation
Visit mentee’s operation at least once
Lead monthly meetings with mentee
Participate in program evaluations
Complete quarterly check-ins with the mentorship coordinator
Answer mentee’s emails and phone calls in a timely manner
Track mentorship hours and activities
Recommended to attend at least one educational event with mentee
Suggested to present at or host an educational event
Qualifications
Must have owned, managed, or worked at a certified organic operation with at least 3 years of direct experience with organic certification
Ability to fulfill the time commitment of mentorship including communication, site visits (virtual or in person), and researching solutions
Willingness to engage in problem solving, and a desire to give-back to the organic production community
Strong understanding of the rules, challenges, and benefits of organic production and becoming certified organic
Open to inviting mentee and other program participants to your operation either in person or virtually
Preferred experience in a teaching, supervising, or mentor role (but not required)
Benefits
$3,000 stipend for each mentorship year you participate (additional stipend for mentors with more than one mentee)
Applicants with language skills beyond English may be eligible for additional compensation if necessary
Paid professional development on professional and interpersonal skills, organic regulations, and organic production practices
Develop teaching and facilitation skills
Take part in supporting the growing network of organic producers!
Partner organizations work with and grow the movement to help farms transition to organic production. If your organization has technical expertise, you can help provide guidance on specific topics or skills to farmers who are transitioning to organic methods. Compensation is available for partnering organizations.
TOPP program partners work together to support the needs of transitioning farmers by:
The Mid-Atlantic/Northeast 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).
