Southeast
Attachment
12781, 12781, SE TOPP Year 1 In Review, SE-TOPP-Year-1-In-Review-1.pdf, 820749, https://cms.organictransition.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SE-TOPP-Year-1-In-Review-1.pdf, https://cms.organictransition.org/se-topp-news-year-1-in-review/se-topp-year-1-in-review-2/, , 5, , , se-topp-year-1-in-review-2, inherit, 12777, 2024-04-15 22:05:05, 2024-04-15 22:05:05, 0, application/pdf, application, pdf, https://cms.organictransition.org/wp-includes/images/media/document.png
SOUTHEAST
TRANSITION TO ORGANIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
SE TOPP NEWS, April 2024
2023 YEAR IN REVIEW
As we reflect upon the accomplishments of the first year of the Southeast Transition to Organic
Partnership Program (SE TOPP), we at Florida Organic Growers (FOG) extend our deepest gratitude to
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National
Organic Program (NOP) for making this initiative possible.
Our inaugural year was focused on laying a solid foundation, navigating the complexities of
establishing and strengthening pivotal relationships with 30 plus partners across the Southeast
region, and aligning programmatic goals to build a strong network across the United States together
with the other TOPP regional leads California Certified Organic Farmers, MOSA Certified Organic,
Oregon Tilth, Organic Crop Improvement Association International, and Pennsylvania Certified
Organic.
SE TOPP Region and Partners
To support the five key performance areas of the program: Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship, Community
Building, Technical Assistance, Data Collection and Reporting and Workforce Training and
Development, we worked with programmatic partners to implement a multifaceted approach to
support farmers across seven states, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina and two U.S. territories, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
We were grateful for the opportunity to contract with the following partners in the Southeast, whose
unwavering support has been instrumental in propelling our initiatives forward: Alabama Sustainable
Agriculture Network, Black Farmers Index, Mississippi Small Farm and Agribusiness Center at Alcorn
State University, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Center for Environmental Farming Systems at
North Carolina State University, Central Carolina Community College’s Sustainable Agriculture
program, Clemson University’s Organic Certification Program, Georgia Organics, Georgia Organic
Peanut Association, Global Growers Network, Louisiana Central, Louisiana State University Agricultural
Center & Grow Louisianna, Market Umbrella, Mississippi State University Extension, National Center for
Appropriate Technology, North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University, North Carolina
State University Cooperative Extension, Organic Growers School, Oxford Farm at Emory University’s
Oxford College, Rural Advancement Foundation International – USA, Rodale Institute Southeast
Organic Center, Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network, Sprout NOLA, Tuskegee
University, University of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands Farmers Alliance.
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TRANSITION TO ORGANIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship
Year 1 witnessed the collaboration of national and regional partners to tailor the Farmer-to-Farmer
Mentorship program for the Southeast’s unique agricultural landscape. A core aspect of developing
this mentorship initiative was the collective effort among regional leads to forge a unified vision and
establish best practices. This teamwork has culminated in a resource-rich section on the TOPP
website, www.organictransition.org, offering tools for those interested in mentorship.
Support from SE TOPP partners has been pivotal in shaping our approach and enabling us to develop
a suite of resources and tools designed to bolster the capabilities of both mentors and mentees. By
using innovative strategies to inform and engage local communities, this initiative has fostered a
growing interest in organic farming in every state in the Southeast.
Applications are now being accepted for both experienced farmer mentors and developing farmer
mentees. For details on the matching process, incentives, and requirements, visit the SE TOPP
mentorship page: www.organictransition.org/mentorship-program.
APPLY TO BE A MENTOR OR MENTEE
Learn more and apply:
https://www.organictransition.org/mentorship-program
Farmers transitioning to organic
will be paired with experienced
certified organic farmers as
mentors in their region.
Mentors will be compensated to
provide one-on-one support to
the mentee farmer during
transition.
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Community Engagement
Key to SE TOPP’s community engagement has been the ability to bring together farmers, experts,
and organizations through various events and workshops. In 2023, SE TOPP partners hosted over 30
events including workshops, field days, symposiums and farmer meet ups which cultivated
meaningful connections. Our efforts, ranging from simplifying organic certification processes to
facilitating insightful on-farm gatherings, have fortified a supportive network for organic aficionados,
reaching over 1,800 community members.
These collaborative efforts have led to meaningful dialogues and shared learning experiences,
allowing farmers to share insights and challenges. These gatherings not only facilitated learning and
networking but also played a critical role in building a supportive community for organic and
transitioning farmers.
Technical Assistance
Our technical assistance and training initiatives were developed to meet the specific and diverse
needs of farmers across the region. SE TOPP partners implemented multiple strategies to connect
with farmers in assessing the resources and assistance needed through focus groups, farm visits and
tailored outreached. Understanding these needs is key to developing the resources and workshops
that provide essential knowledge on organic certification and sustainable farming techniques to
producers in our region.
One-on-one direct technical assistance is vital for farmers’ success in transitioning to organic,
obtaining certification, and the long-term success of organic operations. This approach has enabled
farmers in the Southeast to explore alternatives to chemical usage, such as composting and cover
cropping, enhancing soil health and reducing costs. On-farm workshops, covering topics from pest
management to organic livestock raising, allowed farmers to witness sustainable practices firsthand,
encouraging detailed inquiries and knowledge exchange.
SE TOPP also prioritizes inclusivity by developing resources in Spanish that addressing both language
and cultural barriers. New educational materials, including organic research white papers and
farming manuals, will support ongoing learning and adaptation within the organic farming
community. At the end of Year 1, FOG hired an SE TOPP Technical Assistance Specialist to further
efforts in providing quality information to farmers
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Workforce Development and Training
In enhancing the organic agriculture sector, our mission emphasizes the importance of supporting
the entire organic marketplace ecosystem, from producers to consumers, including essential roles
like inspectors and processors. Efforts to debunk misconceptions about organic viability in certain
areas have led to innovative events that showcase the success of sustainable and organic practices in
their region. Additionally, recognizing the significance of business acumen in organic farming, SE
TOPP partners have provided training in enterprise budgets, holistic decision-making, and
marketing, equipping farmers with the necessary skills for success.
Another key focus is nurturing the next generation of organic industry professionals by introducing
students to organic agriculture’s role in the broader agricultural landscape and demonstrating a
commitment pathway to joining and sustaining the organic workforce. By enhancing market
opportunities for Certified Organic producers and empowering service providers with essential
knowledge, we’re laying the groundwork for the organic sector’s future leaders through
comprehensive training and educational initiatives, benefiting aspiring professionals.
Looking Ahead to 2024
As we step into year 2 of our journey, we will
continue to support farmers in our region through
the key performance areas while increasing our
focus on creating meaningful mentor-mentee
pairings across the region, offering technical
assistance to farmers within the region tailored to
their needs, and providing opportunities for
development of the organic workforce. Together,
we are not just cultivating crops, we are nurturing a
brighter, more sustainable future for agriculture in
the Southeast!
PHOTO: More than 30 TOPP partner organizations
from seven states and two territories came together
for the first Southeast TOPP Partner Annual Meeting
Questions for SE TOPP?
PHONE: 352 -377-6345
EMAIL: SETOPP@foginfo.org
WEBSITE: https://www.organictransition.org/region/southeast
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