Southeast
Attachment
14740, 14740, SE TOPP 2024 July News, SE-TOPP-2024-July-News.pdf, 3679072, https://cms.organictransition.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SE-TOPP-2024-July-News.pdf, https://cms.organictransition.org/se-topp-july-2024-news/se-topp-2024-july-news/, , 5, , , se-topp-2024-july-news, inherit, 14739, 2024-08-22 21:18:53, 2024-08-22 21:18:53, 0, application/pdf, application, pdf, https://cms.organictransition.org/wp-includes/images/media/document.png
SOUTHEAST
TRANSITION TO ORGANIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
SE TOPP NEWS, July 2024
SE TOPP MENTORSHIP SPOTLIGHT
The Southeast Transition to Organic
Initiative is proud to spotlight the inspiring
journey of two of our program participants
from Alabama: mentor Marguerite
McClintock and mentee Dr. Dana Nettles.
Their story is a testament to the power of
mentorship in transforming conventional
farming practices into thriving organic
enterprises.
Meet the Mentor: Marguerite McClintock
Marguerite is a seasoned organic farmer with over 10
years of experience in sustainable agriculture. Based in
Alabama, Marguerite has been a cornerstone of the
organic farming community, known for her dedication to
environmental stewardship and innovative farming
techniques. As a mentor, Marguerite brings a wealth of
knowledge and a passion for guiding the next generation
of farmers.
Meet the Mentee: Dr. Dana Nettles
Navigating the Inspection Process
Dr. Dana Nettles, a determined and passionate
farmer, joined the mentorship program with a clear
vision: to obtain organic certification to grow her tea
business. With a deep commitment to sustainable
practices, Dana sought the guidance and support
needed to navigate the complex process of organic
certification.
One of the most challenging steps in obtaining organic
certification is the inspection process. Dana said that
although the paperwork for applying for USDA Organic
Certification is time consuming, with help from a mentor,
it made the process run smoother. With Marguerite’s
mentorship, Dana meticulously prepared for the
inspection, ensuring that all farm practices met the
stringent organic standards. Marguerite’s experience was
instrumental in helping Dana document her practices,
maintain accurate records, and implement necessary
adjustments to comply with certification requirements.
A Celebrated Success
This spring, Dr. Dana Nettles proudly received her
organic certification, marking a significant milestone in
her farming journey. The successful certification not only
validates her hard work but also opens new
opportunities for her farm in the organic market.
Photo: Dr. Dana Nettles (Left) and Dr Joesph Nettles
(Right), co-founders of Dr Nettles Natural Beauty.
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SE TOPP is thrilled to witness such success stories.
Marguerite and Dr. Dana’s journey exemplifies the
impact of mentorship on the organic farming
community. We encourage more experienced farmers to
join our program as mentors and support the growing
number of farmers transitioning to organic practices.
BECOME A MENTOR
OR MENTEE!
Mentees
Benefit from direct mentorship, developing a
customized transition plan towards organic
certification or refining existing organic practices.
Gain insights into organic farming methods, soil
Are you ready to take your farming practices to the
health management, pest control strategies, and
more, all while connecting with a supportive
next level? Join the SE TOPP Mentorship Program,
community of like-minded farmers and mentors.
where experienced organic producers guide and
Receive a $500 educational stipend to further
support those transitioning to organic farming
enhance their learning and development in organic
mentorship experience.
agriculture
This program not only connects you with
Mentors
knowledgeable mentors who share your passion for
Guide Southeastern farmers transitioning to
sustainable agriculture but also provides invaluable
organic practices,
resources and personalized guidance tailored to your
Share expertise to inspire enthusiasm for organic
farm’s unique needs. Mentors in the program undergo
agriculture.
comprehensive training to ensure they can effectively
Help mentees navigate certification and
assist mentees through one-on-one support, virtual or
sustainable farming methods through one-on-one
in-person farm visits, and regular meetings during the
support, virtual or in-person farm visits, and
growing season. Mentors receive compensation and
structured mentorship
are matched based on expertise, ensuring a productive
The program includes training, and requires 40
and enriching mentorship experience.
hours annually, including operation visits and
seasonal meetings.
Spanish Mentorship Resources
Mentors receive $3,000 each per year for the first
two mentee matches, contributing to the growth of
Florida Organic Growers and national TOPP partners have
organic farming while building a strong network of
developed mentorship training resources specifically for
producers
participants in the mentorship program. Find Spanish
resources on the TOPP website:
www.organictransition.org/es/
LEARN MORE AND APPLY
www.organictransition.org/mentorship-program
MENTORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
“Thanks to the guidance we received from Grateful Pastures and Georgia Organics, we were able to
become a certified organic pasture poultry farm. The Farmer Field Day was a fantastic opportunity to
connect with experts and gain the clarity we needed to make the leap into organic certification.”
– Justin Davis, Grace Valley Farms
Through Mentorship and Technical Assistance efforts,
12 farmers have achieved organic certification in 2024,
resulting in 21 certified acres. The SE TOPP Mentorship
program currently has 30 mentors and 47 mentees
participating, with over 1, 130 acres in transition.
30
47
1,130
Active
Mentors
Active
Mentees
Transitional
Acres
These accomplishments underscore SE TOPP’s
commitment to expanding organic farming in the region.
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
SE TOPP has made significant strides in promoting
organic farming across the Southeast.
139
1,492
785
Events
Attendees
Producers
Reached
In 2024, SE TOPP partners have hosted and attended
139 events, engaging with 1,492 attendees including
reaching at least 785 producers, while proudly
fostering a growing community of sustainable
agriculture enthusiasts.
Farmer Led Field Day Helps Transitional Organic Growers Gain
Knowledge on Organic Farming Practices
FOG, in collaboration with McLean Family Farms, hosted a field
day on March 28, 2024, in Clermont, FL. Participants explored a
range of benefits of organic farming, focusing on enhancing soil
quality and nutrient content in crops. Ben McLean III and Benny
McLean Jr. led the field day and shared insights from their 20-year
organic certification journey. FOG staff Dr. Ram Balasubramanian
and Dr. Juan Carlos Rodriguez also provided insights into the
certification process. Farmers said they appreciated learning
about biological and chemical soil management practices
PHOTO: Ben McLean III discusses the organic
farming practices used by McLean Family Farm to
enhance the quality of their soil and plant nutrition
suitable for Florida and found the event informative and thoughtprovoking. Participants’ pre- and post-test scores revealed an
increase in knowledge at the event. The field day underscored the
value of organic farming methods in enhancing crop health and
sustainability, leaving participants inspired and better equipped
for their own agricultural endeavors.
Empowering Farmers at the Florida Organic Growers’ SE TOPP
Summit Track
In April, FOG hosted an SE TOPP Track at the Organic Food and
Farming Summit in Tampa, Florida. Led by experienced farmers,
inspectors, certifiers, and researchers, 42 participants attended
workshops offering practical insights and strategies on
recordkeeping, certification processes, marketing, and accessing
NRCS funding. Dr. Jennifer Tucker from the USDA National
Organic Program delivered a keynote address, reinforcing the
collaborative spirit essential for a thriving organic industry. Her
insights resonated deeply, inspiring attendees to uphold
sustainability and shared values in their agricultural practices.
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PHOTO: Dr. Jennifer Tucker gives the keynote
address to Summit participants
In the podcast episode
Explore comprehensive resources available on
the Transition to Organic Partnership (TOPP)
website! Whether you’re interested in our
farmer-to-farmer mentorship program, seeking
technical assistance, or accessing organic
transition resources, TOPP has you covered.
Discover valuable tools, upcoming events, and
the latest news to support your journey towards
organic farming at www.organictransition.org.
“Growing Together: SE TOPP’s
Farmer to Farmer Mentorship
Program” hear from Emily
Deruelle, SE TOPP Program
Specialist, and Amanda Rose
Newton, SE TOPP Technical
Assistance Specialist, as they
delve into the SE TOPP Mentorship Program. This
insightful episode explores the program’s objectives,
benefits, and the invaluable farmer-to-farmer
mentorship it fosters. Access the episode here:
https://bit.ly/4dxwfR4
Organic Inspection Webinar Guides Producers
Through Inspection Process and Organic Compliance
Whether you’re new to organic farming or a seasoned
producer, this webinar equips you with essential
knowledge and confidence to navigate inspections
successfully. Led by seasoned professionals in organic
certification and compliance, this workshop covers
everything from thorough pre-inspection preparations
to effective post-inspection follow-up. Access this
resource on FOG’s YouTube channel here:
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Organic 101 Webinar Provides Essential Insights for
Transitional Organic Growers on Certification Basics
This comprehensive session offers a clear introduction
to the organic certification process, providing crucial
information for both newcomers and those seeking a
refresher. Learn about the regulatory frameworks, best
practices for compliance, and receive step-by-step
guidance on starting your certification journey.
Whether you’re just beginning or looking to deepen
your understanding, this resource is designed to help
you navigate the certification process with confidence.
Access the recorded webinar on FOG’s YouTube
channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=9wRCM0R0S4Q&feature=youtu.be
Upcoming Events
Visit the SE TOPP website page to find and
register for free and upcoming events!
www.organictransition.org/
region/southeast/events/
Thank you to our SE TOPP Partners for making this program a success!
Questions for SE TOPP?
PHONE: 352-377-6345
EMAIL: SETOPP@foginfo.org
WEBSITE:
https://www.organictransition.org/
region/southeast
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https://cms.organictransition.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SE-TOPP-2024-July-News.pdf
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