Peer-to-Peer Organic Mentorship

A person stands behind a farm stand counter next to a sign showing the organic seal.

NOFA-VT and Vermont Organic Farmers, the organic certifying agency owned by NOFA-VT, are proud to be Core Partners in USDA's Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Regional Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). 

Peer-to-peer professional development has always been a core tenant of the organic movement. If you're a long-time organic producer with experience to share or you're just starting to consider implementing organic practices, we can connect you with a mentor/ee!

Jump to:

Information for Transitioning Mentees

Information for Organic Mentors

Information for Becoming a TOPP Core Partner Organization

Organic Mentorship Success Stories

Sajima Farm

Rocky Hill Farm

Roo's Farm

Vermont Food Hubs

Transitioning Mentees

If you are looking to transition your production with an end goal of becoming certified organic, sign up to be paired with a mentor! An experienced organic producer can offer guidance and serve as a resource during your transition to organic. The program is open to any type of producer--veg, berry, other crops (hay, grain), flowers, maple, livestock, dairy, processors, handlers, etc. Mentees receive mentorship at no cost, plus a stipend is available to help cover the costs of attending an educational event with the mentor and mileage to the mentor’s operation.

Learn more about what it means to become certified organic in this short video from Nicole Dehne, Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF) Certification Director.

 

Apply for Mentorship

“The mentorship program was absolutely vital to our success with our certification. My mentor was consistent, proactive, kind, supportive, and positive and he seriously helped to calm my anxiety about the inspection!” -2024 mentee

Organic Mentors 

Do you have experience in organic production? You can be an invaluable resource for folks considering transitioning to organic production!

Your are eligible to be a mentor if you have operated a certified organic operation for at least three years and are interested in working with transitioning producers as they adopt organic practices.

“The best part is using the knowledge I’ve gained over 19 seasons of making mistakes - to make a new farmer’s experience a little better.”
“I think the program is much needed and an excellent asset for new and transitioning organic farmers.”
-2024 mentors
Responsibilities

(to be completed in person or virtually)

  • Mentor at least one producer transitioning to organic for one year, with an option to renew mentorship annually as appropriate
  • Complete 5 hours of mentor training annually
  • Provide 40 hours of mentorship each year (optional additional hours with additional mentees), including:
    • Complete onboarding with mentee and mentorship coordinator
    • Host mentee at least once on your own operation
    • Visit mentee’s operation at least once
    • Lead monthly meetings with mentee
    • Participate in program evaluations
    • Complete quarterly check-ins with the mentorship coordinator
    • Answer mentee’s emails and phone calls in a timely manner
    • Track mentorship hours and activities
  • Recommended to attend at least one educational event with mentee
  • Suggested to present at or host an educational event
Qualifications
  • Must have owned, managed, or worked at a certified organic operation with at least 3 years of direct experience with organic certification
  • Ability to fulfill the time commitment of mentorship including communication, site visits (virtual or in person), and researching solutions
  • Willingness to engage in problem solving, and a desire to give-back to the organic production community
  • Strong understanding of the rules, challenges, and benefits of organic production and becoming certified organic
  • Open to inviting mentee and other program participants to your operation either in person or virtually
    • Preferred experience in a teaching, supervising, or mentor role (but not required)
Benefits
  • $3,000 stipend for each mentorship year you participate (additional stipend for mentors with more than one mentee)
  • Applicants with language skills beyond English may be eligible for additional compensation if necessary
  • Paid professional development on professional and interpersonal skills, organic regulations, and organic production practices
  • Develop teaching and facilitation skills
  • Take part in supporting the growing network of organic producers!
Mentorship Resources

Questions? Reach out to NOFA-VT TOPP Coordinator Zea Luce, [email protected]

Apply to Be a Mentor

Partner Organizations

Partner organizations work with and grow the movement to help farms transition to organic production. If your organization has technical expertise, you can help provide guidance on specific topics or skills to farmers who are transitioning to organic methods. Compensation is available for partnering organizations.

TOPP program partners work together to support the needs of transitioning farmers by:

  • Connecting transitioning producers with mentors
  • Creating accessible technical assistance resources
  • Hosting community building opportunities
  • Using education and training to support the organic workforce
  • Helping producers overcome challenges during and after organic certification
  • Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organic sector

 

Submit Interest in Joining Partnership

TOPP

Looking for more information on organic certification?

Check out vermontorganic.org or contact Vermont Organic Farmers directly at [email protected] or 802-434-3821. 

Vermont Organic Farmers Website

The Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Regional Partnership for Organic Transition 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).