Get the Support You Need to Grow Organically
Explore step-by-step guides, printable tools, and farmer experiences to help you access USDA programs and funding.
Federal funding is available to help agricultural producers transition to organic production. As part of the larger $300 million USDA Organic Transition Initiative, the Natural Resources Conservation Service has begun making $70 million available to help producers adopt organic management systems to pursue certification. The following resources provide information on specific USDA technical assistance and funding support programs available to farmers. We will continue to update this with additional resources, so be sure to check back often.
Available Resources
Building Organic Connections through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)
Read the stories of three Midwest farmers and how they’re supporting organic agriculture in their region through peer-to-peer connections. Through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), farmers are building knowledge and strengthening the organic farming community.
Beating Pests and Disease: What Northwest Farmers and Researchers Have Learned the Hard Way
Written by: Mary Elizabeth Kidd, Communications Associate As the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) team continues its work facilitating the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) to strengthen organic farming communities and encourage farmers to transition their farming systems for organic certification, we’re hosting Seeds of Success virtual networking sessions across the country. These sessions give regional farmers a [...]
Your Region, Your Research: What’s New on the Organic Research Hub
Finding organic farming research shouldn't feel like a scavenger hunt. See what's new on the Organic Research Hub, including: region-specific pages, 300+ vetted experts, Spanish-language access, and free printable factsheets built just for your area.
Start Here! An Organic Farmer/Rancher’s Guide to Government Programs
The USDA offers myriad programs to farmers and ranchers seeking financial and technical assistance support. But, with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start! OFRF has made a series of guides to demystify government programs, with easy, step-by-step application support.
Using Synergy, Conservation Practices, and NRCS Support to Save Citrus with Uncle Matt’s Organic
As the Head of Research with Uncle Matt's Organic and a fourth-generation citrus farmer with McLean Family Farms, Ben McLean III is harnessing science, a robust network of experts and support, and family legacy to help safeguard the future of citrus in Florida and around the world.
Two Oʻahu Farmers Share Wins & Challenges Accessing CSP Support
Read the stories of two organic farmers in O'ahu, Hawai'i, Maigee Chang of Farm of the Fearless Monkey and Timothy Clark of Sunshine Farm Foundation, sharing the wins and challenges of accessing support through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
How One Kona Farm Made Federal Funding Work for Organic Agriculture
Makili Farm is a certified organic coffee and vanilla bean farm on Hawaiʻi Island, which also grows a variety of tropical fruits and vegetables. Farmer Kathy Vass shared the financial and knowledge-sharing benefits of her Conservation Stewardship Program contract for enhancing agroforestry and organic pest management on her farm.
Think Like a Certifier, Lean on a Mentor: Support and Resources for the Organic Certification Journey
Three farmers with over 80 years of collective experience and expertise in organic farming and certification share the resources and support you need in your organic certification journey.
Financial Options for Your Farm: Farm Service Agency (FSA) Loans
From covering everyday operating costs to buying land, FSA loans offer flexible financing for farmers at every stage. Find out which loan is right for your operation.
Source: Mora Mora Farm
Conservation at Work: Cover Cropping through CSP at Mora Mora Farm
Catherine Nguyen is the owner and operator of Mora Mora Farm, a one and a half acre diversified vegetable farm in Troutdale, Oregon. To reduce soil compaction on her farm, Catherine worked with NRCS to enhance her cover cropping strategy through the CSP program.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
NRCS’ CSP program offers financial assistance and technical support for farmer who are looking to increase conservation on their farm by adopting new conservation activities or improving upon existing practices.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
NRCS’ EQIP program offers financial assistance and technical support to implement new conservation practices on your farm, with additional support for historically underserved applicants including socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran, and limited-resource farmers and ranchers.
Building Successful Farmer-Researcher Collaboration
Read lessons learned from organic farmers and researchers on what it takes to build productive, reciprocal relationships when conducting on farm research.
Funding On-Farm Innovation: SARE Farmer/Rancher Grants
Learn how organic and transitioning farms can access the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program with our new step-by-step guide.
Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP): Insurance Options for Organic and Transitioning Growers
New to WFRP or not sure it applies to your farm? Our latest toolkit breaks down Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and shows how organic and transitioning growers can use it to protect diverse operations and income streams.
Real Talk on EQIP: One Organic Farm’s Journey Through Federal Funding
(Versión en español a continuación) Three Feathers Farm is a small, BIPOC-led organic farm located on four-and-a-half acres in Morgan Hill, California, a mere twenty minutes south of San Jose. Their story offers a transparent look at what it’s really like to work with NRCS: the benefits, the obstacles, and the lessons they’ve learned.
Field Day Toolkit: Build Community Through Sharing Knowledge
Field days provide a unique space for farmers, researchers, and agricultural professionals to come together to share insights, learn from one another, and foster future collaborations. Discover a roadmap and customizable materials to plan, host, and follow up on hosting a successful event at your farm or research site with OFRF’s new Field Day Toolkit.
Why Technical Note 12 Is Such a Big Deal
Discover how Technical Note 12 enhances access to conservation programs for organic farms. Learn how to use it and get tips for working with your NRCS office.
Organic Transition Initiative (OTI)
OFRF has developed a PDF to help farmers communicate with NRCS about accessing the Organic Transition Initiative. It is available in both English and Spanish. >>> "How to talk to your NRCS office about the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) resources available for you" "Cómo hablar con su oficina del NRCS sobre los [...]
Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
The process of obtaining and maintaining organic certification can be costly. The good news is that financial assistance is available through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) to help ease this burden.
Map of TOPP Regions
For an interactive map to identify TOPP partners near you and browse the latest news, resources, and events, visit https://www.organictransition.org/regions/.
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