Program basics for MENTORS:

• Must have at least 3 years of experience with organic production and certification

• Ability to meet 45 hour commitment over one year (about 4 hours a month)

• Strong understanding of the rules, challenges and benefits of organic production and certification

• Interest in mentoring, teaching, and sharing knowledge

• Mentors receive $3,000 stipend/year of participation

• Additional stipend for mentors with more than one mentee

• Applicants with language skills beyond English may be eligible for additional compensation

• Mentor applications are accepted on a rolling basis

• This is a certifier-neutral program, you may be certified with any certifier to participate.

Program basics for MENTEES:

• This is a free mentorship opportunity for all crop and livestock producers in the northwest region states, including: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

• Get paired with a Mentor near you who is running a similar operation

• Get up to 45 hours of FREE mentorship from a certified organic farmer/rancher

• Build a relationship with a mentor through calls, texts, emails, and in-person visits who knows the Montana climate and markets

• Ask questions about organic production, marketing, business management, soil health practices, production planning, and certification and recordkeeping

• Owners, managers, and operation employees are all welcome to apply as mentees

• This is a certifier-neutral program, you may seek certification with any certifier if you pursue certification

If you have questions about the TOPP Mentorship Program please reach out to farmers@farmconnectmontana.org or fill out our TA Session Interest Form to schedule a one-on-one conversation to learn more!

Technical Assistance and Resources on Organic Production and Certification

 
Check out Farm Connect’s Organic Certification for Beginning Farmers’ Guide in our Resource Library. This guide is a useful resource that can answer some basic questions regarding organic certification for new and beginning producers. We have other great resources on organic farming, soil management, and certification to explore. Create a free account to access our Resource Library today.

Farm Connect staff offers free technical assistance to farmers interested in learning more about the Mentorship Program, the organic certification process, prohibited materials and inputs, organic marketing, and if organics may be right for your operation. Sign up for a Technical Assistance Session today and chat with Farm Connect staff.

The Northwest Transition to Organic Partnership Program is a coalition of partners providing mentorship, technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic producers. This coalition of partners serves producers in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. This is a certifier-neutral program. Farm Connect Montana is partnering with TOPP to offer support for Montanan organic producers and transitioning producers. The Northwest Transition to Organic Partnership Program is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).