A woman kneeling over a tray of tomatoes in a greenhouse

MOSA provides our clients with much more than just certification.

Joe Pedretti

MOSA Client Services Director

Midwest Transition to Organic Partnership Cultivates Widespread Success

Midwest Transition to Organic Partnership Cultivates Widespread Success

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) was established as part of the USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative, a $300 million investment to support farmers during organic transition and their first years of certification. Since the Fall of 2022, TOPP has focused on increasing organic production and certification across the US through mentorship, technical assistance, community building, workforce development, and expanding organic markets to help U.S. farmers meet the growing demand for certified organic food and products. In April, TOPP published its 2024 Impact Report documenting the program’s success as a strategic investment in domestic organic agriculture.

TOPP is an unprecedented collaboration of more than 165 trusted non-profit organizations, universities, farmer coops, and stakeholders across the United States working in community to streamline expertise and resources and establish a foundation that will support the organic industry for years to come.

MOSA Certified Organic was selected by the National Organic Program as the lead cooperator of the Midwest TOPP 11-state region, one of six regions developed to connect farmers transitioning to organic with local, experienced organic mentors; provide farmer training and education; develop and expand access to technical assistance and training; build networks and strengthen the organic community; and support workforce development based on specific geographic needs. MOSA provides leadership and guidance to 20 MW TOPP core partners in Arkansas, Kentucky, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin in meeting TOPP objectives.

TOPP’s impact is substantial, having helped certify 3,863 new operations and more than 260,000 new organic acres across the nation. The program has connected 327 transitioning producers with 237 experienced organic mentors and delivered technical assistance through nearly 1,500 events reaching thousands of producers and agricultural professionals in every state and several U.S. territories. The full TOPP 2024 Impact Report, including downloadable charts and graphics highlighting key statistics from the report are available at organictransition.org/impact-report.

For more information about TOPP events, mentorship opportunities, and farmer resources in your region, visit OrganicTransition.org.

MIDWEST TOPP HIGHLIGHTS

Mentorship

Missouri Organic Association is connecting farmer mentors and mentees through TOPP. Liz Graznak at Happy Hollow Farm is excited to share her knowledge with mentees from two different farms. Liz’s farm has been certified organic since 2010 and raises 11 acres of certified organic veggies, fruits, and flowers to sell to her 120-member (and growing) CSA, and at the Columbia Farmers Market, six local restaurants, and three grocery stores.

Liz’s experience and background is a great fit for working with Lisa and Andrew Geiser of Tabletop Farms where they sell veggies, beef, and flowers at three Kansas City-area farmers markets and six local restaurants. Lisa and Andrew are currently transitioning their 85-acre operation to certified organic production. Paul Weber and Emily Wright of Three Creeks Farm and Forest is a diversified operation growing food for direct sale to 15-20 local grocery stores, chefs, and florists located within 20 miles of their farm. While they are currently farming with organic methods, they have decided to take the final steps to become USDA certified organic.

Technical Assistance

The Organic Association of Kentucky has planned the first-ever Kentucky Mechanical Weed Control Field Day on September 23, 2025 in collaboration with the University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification and the Department of Horticulture. This collaboration is more than just a shared event—it represents a deepening relationship between academic researchers, extension agents, and Kentucky’s organic farming community. Through months of coordination, OAK and UK partners have worked closely to design an engaging, educational experience tailored to the unique challenges of weed management in both large and small-scale horticultural operations. From in-field systems to high tunnel environments, participants will see first-hand the innovative mechanical tools and systems that are reshaping sustainable weed control.

Community Building

The Grand Traverse Conservation District in Michigan organized and facilitated an “Organic Farmer and Organic Curious Breakfast Social” during the Northern Michigan Small Farms conference. While many of the attendees are farmers from northern Michigan, the event draws producers and agricultural professionals from across the state and beyond, and was decidedly a good opportunity to offer space to talk about organic resources and support. Discussions were focused on organic farming practices, the transition and certification process, benefits and challenges of organic farming, farming background of each speaker, mentorship opportunities, and answering questions along the way. Participants were open to adopting organic practices and working with organic producers, and appreciated this dedicated time to offer network among peers. The next Northern Michigan Small Farms Conference is planned for August 18-19, 2025 at the Leelanau School in Glen Arbor.


Workforce Development

The Center for Arkansas Food and Farms, in cooperation with the Arkansas Agricultural Professionals, Arkansas Cooperative Extension, and NRCS, developed a needs assessment survey to better understand the types of training and information that could help their staff in assisting farmers transitioning to organic or those already in organic production. By identifying these needs, CAFF is now coordinating trainings, events, and resources focused on the primary topics of interest, including organic production systems, certification processes, farming practices, market and financial aspects, and record-keeping compliance. In February, CAFF presented and participated in a NRCS “Working Effectively with Organic Producers” workshop by sharing information about TOPP and using the opportunity to and skills to support organic producers.