Year In Review

Final November Newsletter Year in Review Article
Midwest
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Midwest TOPP News
Issue No. 2, November 2023

YEAR IN REVIEW
MIDWEST TRANSITION TO ORGANIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM: THE FIRST
YEAR IN REVIEW
By Allison Walent, Midwest TOPP Program Director

It was just one year ago that MOSA announced it was named by the National Organic
Program to lead the Midwest Region’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program
(TOPP). The past year has been filled with learning moments, programming, systems
development, relationship building, and more learning moments. MOSA hired two new
team members to lead the work, connected with many potential partners throughout
the 11 state region, participated in our first TOPP sponsored events, and developed
plans to support the program’s four main priorities: farmer to farmer mentorship,
community building, technical assistance, and workforce development. Our 15 core
partner organizations are primarily responsible for delivering programming to their
constituents and engaging local organizations that will provide additional support to
their efforts. The core partners have also been instrumental in lending their expertise
and experience as we developed programming. Through this network, we are investing
approximately $3.75 million dollars over the next 16 months to support farmers who are
transitioning land to certified organic production.

We know that learning from those who have walked through organic transition offers
many benefits to those interested in embracing organic production methods. We also
celebrate that learning is a two-way street and we expect experienced mentors will
learn through the mentoring process too! Farmer to farmer mentoring is the foundation
of TOPP. While not every farmer is keen on or ready for one to one mentorship, this
program will offer opportunities to attend field days, workshops, or round table
discussions; to participate in group mentorship; or to receive individualized support
completing (or revising) an organic system plan. In addition to offering mentorship,
technical assistance and community building, TOPP will support workforce development
in the organic sector.
In September we launched our first MW TOPP Newsletter and a national website for
TOPP. In future newsletters you will find information such as updates about MW TOPP
programming, event highlights, information about becoming a mentor or mentee, and
highlights of our program partners.
Also in September we, in collaboration with the other five regional lead organizations,
launched an official TOPP website, www.organictransition.org. TOPP’s new website is
the national hub for program opportunities, news, events, and resources. The TOPP
website features a host of essential functions designed to support and nurture the
growth of organic farming across diverse regions. Key features of the TOPP website
include: mentor and mentee program sign-up, comprehensive event listings, organic
resources, and organic news.
The TOPP website is a testament to the commitment and cooperation of TOPP’s six
regional leads and countless partners, who collaborated diligently to create this userfriendly and informative platform. Their collective effort ensures that the website caters
to the unique needs and challenges faced by producers nationwide.
Whew, what a first year it has been! We are looking forward to our second year: our
first mentorship pairs under TOPP, an in-person core partner meeting, spreading the
word at conferences in January and February, and above all increasing organic acres!
Stay tuned for future program updates, and to learn more about TOPP, check out our
website at www.organictransition.org!

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