If you’re transitioning to organic production, you don’t have to do it alone.
Producers interested in implementing organic practices and achieving organic certification can now be connected with an experienced organic producer mentor for on-the-ground learning, real-time support, and guidance. Learn more and apply at www.organictransition.org.
The benefits of organic are vast; from accessing new markets and securing better prices to increasing a farm’s positive climate impact to creating healthier workplaces for farm families and farmworkers, organic is the right choice for many producers. But the process of transitioning from a conventional system to an organic system can be daunting, and navigating organic rules, regulations, and certification can feel burdensome or cost-prohibitive. That’s where an organic mentor comes in—these experienced producers know organic production and certification inside and out, and they have found success as organic farmers. Over the course of a season, organic mentors provide coaching and guidance to transitioning producers as they implement new practices in the field, learn the steps to organic certification, tap into new markets to sell organic products, and more.
Organic mentorship is supported by the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). Mentorship is available across the United States, and the California TOPP mentorship program is managed by CCOF. Mentors are paid for their time, and the service is free of charge for mentees (who are also eligible to receive an educational stipend for their participation).
If you are interested in connecting with an Organic Mentor, learn more and apply at www.organictransition.org.
Reach out to California TOPP mentorship program manager Molly Nakahara at mnakahara@ccof.org with questions.