The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) invested $100 million over four years with non-profit organizations and regional partners to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. AMS built partnership networks in six regions across the United States to provide direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities.
Partner organizations:
• Connected transitioning farmers with mentors to share practical insights and advice.
• Provided training, technical assistance, workshops, and field days covering organic production practices, certification, conservation planning, business development, regulations, and marketing.
• Helped producers overcome technical and financial shifts during and after certification.
• Engaged with educational institutions on organic workforce training and human capital planning.
The map below shows the six regions of the TOPP partnership network: the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Plains, Northwest, and West/Southwest. Organizations in these regions formed partnerships to serve transitioning and existing organic farmers and provided mentoring services, technical assistance, community building, and organic workforce development.
- Interactive TOPP map with state-by-state partner listings (pdf) - - updated January 2025.
Impact Update
During TOPP funding years 2022-2026, six regional leads, two national partners, and hundreds of state and local partner organizations achieved success across TOPP’s five key program areas. Partners hosted more than 3,100 events in the form of field days, conference presentations, and technical assistance workshops, reaching more than 167,000 people. Approximately 7,600 people received technical assistance, and 4,100 mentoring pairs were established.
TOPP mentees represented farms having 158,000 acres available to transition, with more than 88,100 acres now certified. Top 5 crops raised, based on data supplied by TOPP mentees: mixed vegetables, berries, tree fruit, corn, and grain. Top 5 livestock raised: beef cattle, poultry for eggs, livestock for dairy, sheep, and goats. These data are as of June 30, 2026.